How Much Solar Power do you Need?
When it comes to home solar power, many people are concerned about two questions: (1) how much does it cost and (2) how much solar energy do you need for your home?
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that a residential solar installation should be 5-7 kilowatts (kW) in size to generate the approximately 920 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month that most American homes use. Given current solar power costs for solar panels and installation, you’ll be investing about $30-45,000 to be able to go off-grid with your own home energy.
However, federal, state, local and utility incentives can help you reduce that cost, if you qualify! (here in my home state of Oregon, the savings are up to 50%). But, if you go with a DIY solar panel system, the savings can be even greater!
Before you consider an entire home solar panel system, think about easing into solar energy. We love these “7 Baby Steps to Go Solar” from CalFinder:
#1—Install DIY kits with built-in panel inverters, or microinverters, like those offered by Solar Sphere’s DIY Solar Kits or Sustainablog’s green shopping site. These panels deliver AC (alternating current, the kind your electrical panel requires), and are easier to wire into your home’s electrical system.
#2—Or choose GoGreenSolar’s 250-watt, grid-tied, Plug N Play Solar Power Kit, which plugs directly into any household outlet and delivers 1 kWh of electricity a day. Plug in 10, and you have lighting and emergency electrical backup covered.
#3—Akeena Solar, whose 175-watt Andalay solar panels won the Kansas Climate and Energy Project Take Charge Challenge, is merging with Westinghouse, the appliance giant, and changing its name accordingly. In 2009, Akeena sold its trademark plug and play Andalay panels through retailers, including 21 Lowe’s locations in California.
#4—Ready Solar offers a “kit in a box” with web-based performance monitoring whose modular design allows for simple expansion.
#5—And Armageddon Energy plans to offer a solar panel in the form of hexagon that – snapped into three other panels – forms a “solar clover.” One unit delivers .33 kW, and the product should reach the market in 2011, but like many too-good-to-be-true products advertised as plug and play, installation is slightly more complicated.
#6—The same is true of Lumeta PowerPly’s [video] flexible “peel ‘n stick” solar modules (think Contac Paper), which deliver 2.25 kW in 34 minutes on flat roofs.
#7—Last, but far from least, consider Clarian Technologies, which currently offers a truly plug and play unit called Sunfish, rated at 1 kilowatt and costing about $3,000 (or a mini-Sunfish at 200 watts and $800 or less). The units, equipped with all-UL electronics and a GFCI circuit breaker to protect homeowners and linemen from electric shock, are lightweight and help reduce distribution line losses.
Solar power for your home could be easier and cheaper than you think
While you wonder about how much solar energy you need for your home, consider the fact that solar panel prices have dropped 50% or more recently, solar technology continues to improve efficiency of solar cells and rebates and tax incentives continue to be generous in the economy and under the current administration.
Tags: diy solar panel system, home solar, residential solar installation, solar energy, solar energy home, solar home
Greater PV solar efficiency could save money and energy
Most photovoltaic solar cells can only hope to achieve about 15-20% efficiency. Much of the solar energy that strikes the cells is either reflected away or lost as heat energy. But solar collectors at Kalahari Greentech have achieved 74% efficiency.
The energy company that specializes in solar technology and wind energy research had its solar cells go through testing by The Georgia Institute of Technology‘s Engineering Experiment Station. Researchers at Georgia Tech conducted a 4-hour study using National Bureau of Standards procedures.
The difference between the Kalahari Greentech solar collectors and standard commercial PV cells is that Kahalari’s collector can use all wavelengths of light in the conversion process. Other solar cells only convert certain ranges of light into solar electricity, which results in lower efficiency. According to one report, the Kalahari Greentech cells were at least 300 times more efficient than other PV cells!
Boosting solar cell efficiency
Greater solar efficiency means that a small solar panel system can be installed. Cost-savings can also be achieved!
Tags: efficient solar panels, photovoltaic cells, PV cells, solar cells, solar collectors, solar efficiency, Solar Panels, solar technology
Ground mount solar photovoltaic project in Reno Nevada
Last week, the City of Reno awarded a contract to build solar photovoltaic projects for the municipality to Nevada Solar Works LLC (a partnership between Q&D Construction, CleanPath Renewables and Alternative Energy Solutions). The Reno City Council announced the contract award, which will result in construction of a 1 megawatt (MW) fixed tilt ground mount system at the Reno-Stead Water Treatment Plant, and various other solar power projects throughout the city that will total 295 kilowatt (kW) of solar electricity.
The solar photovoltaic projects slated for Reno will bring at least 60 green jobs and clean energy to the region, at no additional cost to citizens. The projects will be built using rebates from NV Energy, as well as federal tax incentives and payments for solar energy generated by the arrays. Rather than costing the city money, it will save over $2.5 million over 20 years!
According to press releases on the solar photovoltaic project:
The City of Reno solar project is the first statewide request for proposal (RFP) to build renewable energy that takes advantage of AB 186, a Nevada state law passed in October 2009 which allows for third-party ownership of renewable energy generation systems. The new law effectively allows businesses, institutions and governments to purchase solar arrays without up-front capital costs. They can save money by paying long-term fixed rates on the energy generated. In concert with NV Energy’s RenewableGenerations Program, AB 186 has paved the way for clean renewable energy projects to be realized across Nevada.
Next month, construction begins on the first of the seven solar photovoltaic projects. Here is a complete list of the city properties that will host new solar power installations:
- Reno-Stead Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Corporation Yard at 1640 E. Commercial Rd.
- Neil Rd. Recreation Center
- Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
- Nell J. Redfield Health Center
- Fire Stations 3, 11 and 18
Tags: reno solar, solar electricity, solar photovoltaic, solar photovoltaic projects, solar power projects, solar pv, solar reno
AT&T flips the switch to solar power in San Diego
Telecommunications giant AT&T is switching to solar power in a big way. This week, it activated a new 296-kilowatt solar power system at a company site in San Diego. The solar installation is the first of six planned solar energy projects for the company, which will have a a total overall goal of 2 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation. As a result, AT&T will save about 62 million pounds of CO2 emissions over 20 years!
As for the AT&T San Diego site, projections are for production of about 420,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) by the solar power system during the first year. Over a 20-year period, more than 7.7 million kWh of solar electricity will be generated.
What does an investment like this look like for AT&T? Actually, the six solar power systems will be installed pursuant to a solar power purchase agreement between AT&T and SunEdison. SunEdison will own, operate and maintain the solar panels on site, while AT&T will purchase the solar electricity generated by the panels at a cost that is lower than grid-based electricity. In other words, minimal upfront costs for the company, and a win-win for its energy budget as well as the environment.
AT&T and SunEdison will continue to work on the additional 5 planned solar installations in California, which should be complete by summer 2011.
Going solar to save money and the environment? Now, that’s a good call!
Tags: AT&T solar, solar electricity, solar power, solar power plants, solar power purchase agreement, solar power system
Free Solar Power Workshops this month in California
Should you switch to solar power? There are many factors that go into making that decision. Now, you can ask solar experts in person and find out if solar is right for you.
If you live in California, why not take advantage of several free community solar events over the next few weeks? HelioPower, a solar panel installer partner of SunRun Solar, is hosting informal sessions at which information on going solar, as well as general Q&A will be provided.
Take a look at the following schedule and register in advance (if you wish) at the HelioPower website. All events begin at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time:
- Wednesday, August 18 – Historic Community Room, Corona, CA
- Wednesday, August 25 – Joslyn Senior Center, Redlands, CA
- Wednesday, September 1, 2010 – Valley Center Library, CA
If you want to find out if solar is right for you, talk to solar experts or just meet with other people interested in home solar power, take advantage of these free community solar events!
Tags: community solar events, going solar, heliopower, install solar panels, solar experts, sunrun solar, switch solar power
The new Ford Focus Electric Car will be built with solar energy
Ford Motor Company will start building its new Focus Electric car in 2011. So, it only makes sense that the green car will be manufactured with green energy. Rooftop solar panels will power Ford’s Focus car manufacturing plant in Wayne, Michigan.
In fact, the solar power system will be one of the largest solar arrays in Michigan – consisting of a 500 kilowatt (kW) solar panel array and a 750-kilowatt battery system with 2 megawatt-hours of solar electricity capacity – that’s enough clean power to completely cover 100 average Michigan homes’ energy needs for a year.
Solar Power Helps Build Ford Electric Vehicles
According to Ford Motor Company’s press release:
- The new solar power system will generate excess energy that will be fed back into the electrical grid.
- Ford will save about $160,000 per year in energy costs.
- The nearly $6 million cost of the solar power system is funded by DTE Energy, the Michigan Public Service Commission and Ford.
- Some of the solar electricity will be used to power 10 vehicle charging stations in the plant.
- Ford will be experimenting with using batteries for stationary storage applications
- The renewable energy captured by the project’s primary solar energy system will help power the production of fuel-efficient small cars, including Ford’s all-new Focus and Focus Electric going into production in 2011, and a next-generation hybrid vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle coming in 2012.
- A secondary, smaller solar energy system will be integrated at a later date to power lighting systems at Michigan Assembly.
Jim Tetreault, Ford VP of North America Manufacturing, stated:
“With this solar energy system, we will be able to gain vital understanding about the integration of renewable power, smart-grid technologies and energy storage at an industrial facility. This project is part of the transformation of Michigan Assembly from a large SUV factory to a modern, flexible and sustainable small car plant.”
Renewable or green power supplies 3 percent of Ford’s energy needs worldwide.
Tags: focus electric car, Ford Michigan assembly plant, ford motor company, ford motors solar energy, large solar array, rooftop solar panels, solar power system
The Security Sensor LED Light is a solar powered convenience light with a built-in motion sensor. It is ideal for backyard security and walkway lighting as it turns on whenever movement is detected. With a removable solar panel on a 16 foot cord, it can also be used for lighting garden sheds, outhouses or interior rooms. Since it is solar powered, it is easy for anyone to install. Specifications: Bulb brightness:15pcs super bright 12,000 mcd LEDs Motion sensor passive infrar (more…)
Tags: led light, motion detector, Security, security light, Solar, solar light, solar motion detector
Amazon.com
The Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger gives you another reason to love the sun–it can help keep your vehicle’s battery charged. It provides up to 5-Watts or 350mA of power to prevent the natural voltage drain of batteries over time. It includes both a lighter socket adapter and alligator clips to give you flexible connection options. The Sunforce 5-Watt Solar Trickle Charger is compact and easy to install. Convenient Power That Helps Keep Your B (more…)
Tags: Solar, solar battery, solar battery charger, solar energy, solar panel, solar power, Sunforce, trickle charger
Utility scale solar to generate clean electricity for Arizona schools
We send our children to school to learn reading, writing, math and science. But education can be achieved by more than just memorization. Some Arizona schools will switch to solar power next year - in part to save money and also to teach students about the value of renewable energy.
Of course, budgets across the nation are tight in the current economy. Fortunately, with the Salt River Project, Arizona schools can use solar electricity without the additional cost of installing solar panels. A new pilot program called SRP Community Solar allows schools to purchase solar power generated by a new utility-scale photovoltaic power plant to be built in 2011.
According to PennEnergy:
“Schools can invest in solar energy without the upfront costs of purchasing and installing solar panels and will not incur any maintenance or repair costs that may be associated with a rooftop system. In addition, the KWh cost for the energy produced by the solar system is locked in for ten years.”
The Salt River Project will allow school districts to purchase solar electricity at a fixed price of 9.9 cents per kWh for 10 years. Each school’s share will be individually metered.
Hopefully, teachers will use the opportunity to instruct students about the benefits of solar energy, as well.
I’d give this project an A+!
Tags: arizona schools solar, arizona solar, community solar, photovoltaic power plant, salt river project, solar energy, solar power plant, utility scale solar
Creating solar cookers at a DIY workshop
Cooking outdoors with a solar oven is one way to save energy, and also keep the indoor of your home cooler during warm months. Solar cookers use the energy of the sun to fully heat meals to safe temperatures. You don’t need solar panels, wiring or expensive supplies.
There are various DIY solar cooker instructions on the Internet from which to choose. Depending on your skill level and resources, you should be able to create a simple solar oven for your next camping trip, scout outing, or simply to use in your own backyard!
Bread baking in a solar oven
While there are solar cooker kits available for purchase on line, you can also create your own completely out of ordinary materials. Consider these options:
- A mirror-line (or foil-lined) wooden box cooker, as described on Adventures in Life.
- Re-purposing an old refrigerator into a solar cooker, via instructions at Penniless Parenting.
- College students eat a lot of pizza – so why not re-use those pizza boxes as a solar cooker? See instructions from Simon Fraser University.
Step-by-step instructions for DIY solar cookers are illustrated on several videos, too.
The pizza box solar oven:
Or this one made from a cardboard box:
This solar cooker is more sturdy, created from wood:
Using a solar cooker will help you minimize electricity or natural gas use, and is 100% renewable and natural. Get out of the hot kitchen, and cook your meals outdoors in a solar oven!
Tags: diy, how to make solar cooker, outdoor cooking, Solar, solar cooker, solar energy, solar oven, solar power
