http://www.nabcep.org/certification/the-need-for-certification
Does anyone have any experience with solar energy?
Does anyone have any experience with solar energy?
Solar Panel Certification
- Thread starter buster
- Start date
- Status
I'm not sure what your after but suppose you're interested in the viability of these systems to replace or augment your current service.
Let's apply a little logic.
Since economics drive most everything, directly or indirectly, and I'd be willing to bet big money that no one actually enjoys paying more money for power than they must, it's logical to conclude there are many practical factors keeping these solar panels off the roofs of everyone's house; practical factors leading back to economics of course.
Can they be economical??? ...I'm betting their inefficiency combined with overall maintenance costs are preventing that from being the case anywhere in the foreseeable future. There are some large solar farms in existence today. Some power small farms, and I think there is one in a California desert that might power 100,000 homes.
Now, a bit more technical. These cells are in the form of arrays which form a series and parallel network. The series connection does pose an issue if just one cell becomes inoperable (like your string of Christmas lights) as it takes out those cells in that series.
National Semiconductor has recently unveiled one solution that limits exposure to this very serious problem. You can look that up on their site.
But still, apparently having a solution for this problem, isn't nearly enough to employ them as a universal replacement for today's large power generation facilities.
Let's apply a little logic.
Since economics drive most everything, directly or indirectly, and I'd be willing to bet big money that no one actually enjoys paying more money for power than they must, it's logical to conclude there are many practical factors keeping these solar panels off the roofs of everyone's house; practical factors leading back to economics of course.
Can they be economical??? ...I'm betting their inefficiency combined with overall maintenance costs are preventing that from being the case anywhere in the foreseeable future. There are some large solar farms in existence today. Some power small farms, and I think there is one in a California desert that might power 100,000 homes.
Now, a bit more technical. These cells are in the form of arrays which form a series and parallel network. The series connection does pose an issue if just one cell becomes inoperable (like your string of Christmas lights) as it takes out those cells in that series.
National Semiconductor has recently unveiled one solution that limits exposure to this very serious problem. You can look that up on their site.
But still, apparently having a solution for this problem, isn't nearly enough to employ them as a universal replacement for today's large power generation facilities.
The sun warms up the place pretty good here during the day, and the heating system rests for several hours, even when it's -15 out.
Kestas
Staff member
We studied heating and energy in college. We found solar heating wouldn't work where we live because, when you need heat the most, our area is shrouded with overcast skies. It's like living inside a light bulb. Lake-effect has a lot to do with it.
Right now the payback is longer than the lifespan of the universe, since grid power is cheaper. But for heating, solar can be a good thing.
Solar water heating is good stuff. Solar power runs into the same problems that regular grid power does.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Messages
- 39,793
All that's required is that there's a net gain in energy over the cost of constructing the things. During the Carter administration ..where there was a relatively mild energy crisis, GE offered solar panels ..then discontinued them when they found out that they cost more energy in making them then they could produce.
Most truly beneficial installations are too expensive for the user who needs it the most. Where $10k-$20k would save substantial amounts of energy, it's just beyond the means for the average person to handle. So ..they pay the higher utility bills instead.
If they were anywhere near "affordable" ..demand would take up the slack and put them in the same position.
If subsidized, the sharks would be there at the slop trough ..and they would be in the same position.
Lose:lose no matter how you turn in terms of an energy revolution in reduction.
Most truly beneficial installations are too expensive for the user who needs it the most. Where $10k-$20k would save substantial amounts of energy, it's just beyond the means for the average person to handle. So ..they pay the higher utility bills instead.
If they were anywhere near "affordable" ..demand would take up the slack and put them in the same position.
If subsidized, the sharks would be there at the slop trough ..and they would be in the same position.
Lose:lose no matter how you turn in terms of an energy revolution in reduction.
CIGSS film panels are much cheaper to produce than silicon mono/polycrystalline cells. Combine them with the new titanium dioxide anti-reflective coating and you'll have a very efficient, somewhat inexpensive solar panel that will pay for itself much, much more quickly.
Solar electricity has a decent ROI for commercial/industrial but on a home it is a very long time. For my house the panels/inverters would be past their useful lifespan before they paid for themselves. If you have a $300-400/mo elect. bill they'd be worth looking at.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
Originally Posted By: buster
My question was more in regard to whether solar has a good future. I believe it always will. Industrial will be first to take hold of it, as it is too costly for most folks.
Sure, if you buy or build a $200,000 house for $700,000, there isn't much left for sensible features.
My question was more in regard to whether solar has a good future. I believe it always will. Industrial will be first to take hold of it, as it is too costly for most folks.
Sure, if you buy or build a $200,000 house for $700,000, there isn't much left for sensible features.
Solar is a piece of the future. Size varies.
We won't do it without nuclear though.
We won't do it without nuclear though.
Yes we can!
Solar panels are another part of a robust distributed energy system, which might be useful in the next 50 years as the risk of war increases.
I'm surprised that passive solar hasn't gotten more interest. I know you can't get electricity from it but I would think the payback $$ would be better.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,587
Originally Posted By: jsharp
I'm surprised that passive solar hasn't gotten more interest. I know you can't get electricity from it but I would think the payback $$ would be better.
My uncle has been heating his swimming pool with solar collectors for over 30 years.
I'm surprised that passive solar hasn't gotten more interest. I know you can't get electricity from it but I would think the payback $$ would be better.
My uncle has been heating his swimming pool with solar collectors for over 30 years.
Kestas
Staff member
There's a local company called "Energy Conversion Devices" who came to talk to our group some time ago. One of their goals is to make solar panel material into roofing material.
Another local company that talked to our group last week, working under NextEnergy, is trying to develop solar panel units that can be marketed for the DIYer for sale at the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.
So, there's a lot of stuff happening under the radar. These technologies are not being ignored. They're sure to ramp up as the cost of energy increases and these alternatives become more viable.
Another local company that talked to our group last week, working under NextEnergy, is trying to develop solar panel units that can be marketed for the DIYer for sale at the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.
So, there's a lot of stuff happening under the radar. These technologies are not being ignored. They're sure to ramp up as the cost of energy increases and these alternatives become more viable.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
There's a local company called "Energy Conversion Devices" who came to talk to our group some time ago. One of their goals is to make solar panel material into roofing material.
Another local company that talked to our group last week, working under NextEnergy, is trying to develop solar panel units that can be marketed for the DIYer for sale at the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.
So, there's a lot of stuff happening under the radar. These technologies are not being ignored. They're sure to ramp up as the cost of energy increases and these alternatives become more viable.
Interesting, thanks. I definitely see it as a viable alternative as time goes on.
There's a local company called "Energy Conversion Devices" who came to talk to our group some time ago. One of their goals is to make solar panel material into roofing material.
Another local company that talked to our group last week, working under NextEnergy, is trying to develop solar panel units that can be marketed for the DIYer for sale at the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.
So, there's a lot of stuff happening under the radar. These technologies are not being ignored. They're sure to ramp up as the cost of energy increases and these alternatives become more viable.
Interesting, thanks. I definitely see it as a viable alternative as time goes on.
- Status
