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This
page contains answers to common questions handled by our
support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have
found useful and presented here as questions.
Q:
Can I use solar energy to make hot water or to heat my house/office?
Q:
Does my solar system produce electricity on a cloudy day?
Q:
Are solar energy systems becoming cheaper?
Q:
What does photovoltaic systems cost?
Q:
Is there any financial support (for buying a solar system)?
Q:
How long will my system last (expected lifetime)?
Q:
Doesn't it take a lot of energy to produce solar system?
Q:
How do I know how much electricity my system produces?
Q:
How can I save energy?
Q:
Is it safe to have a solar electricity system on or near to my house?
Q:
Where is solar electricity used, how many systems are in place?
Q. How
much will it cost to convert my on-Grid 'so many' square
foot house to Renewable Energy?
Q. How
do I know which Renewable Energy sources are right for me?
Q. Can I
keep the household appliances I have now?
Q. How do I determine which types of Renewable Energy sources
are right for me?
Q.
How does a Renewable Energy system work?
Q.
What about a Grid intertie system?
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Q:
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| A: It is
much cheaper to use Solar Thermal (DHW) to utilize
energy for water heating (DHW or space heating). Solar
collectors are connected to a storage tank and produce
hot water with a high efficiency.
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Q:
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| A: Yes, a
solar panel does produce electricity even when it is not
placed in bright sunlight. On a normal cloudy day there is
always enough so-called diffuse light, by which the panel
will produce electricity. However, the production of
electricity is not as high as when the panels are placed in
bright sunlight. So even on a cloudy day your panel will
produce electricity.
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Q:
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| A: Solar
panels are still quite costly. This is because the
production of solar panels requires high tech equipment,
still is labor intensive and requires special materials.
However, the price has gradually been coming down in recent
years because of market growth and improved materials and
production processes.
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Q:
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| A: The
cost of a solar system depends its size, the type of solar
system you need and the place you are living (country, solar
irradiation). The type of system defines the components you
need for a solar system and therefore the costs. The overall
system prices for grid-connected systems vary between 7 and
10.0 USD/Watt peak.
Stand-alone systems
If no connection to the electricity grid is available a
solar home system is likely to be your cheapest option for
the production of electricity.
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| Q:
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| A: In
many countries there is some financial support from the
government or local municipalities or utilities. There are
many national programs to stimulate the installation of
solar electricity systems. The best way to find out is to
inquire at your local municipality or utility.
The state of Illinois has
one of the most aggressive programs in the country. While
Missouri still doesn't have a system in place.
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| Q:
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| A: If you
buy a solar electricity system now you will probably be able
to use it the next 20 to 30 years. Most suppliers provide
warrantee of 25 years for their solar panels. However, the
first systems are already over 35 years in use and are still
producing electricity. Regular maintenance (especially
battery care in case of stand-alone systems) extends the
systems life time. In stand-alone systems, Batteries are the
components with the shortest life time. Batteries usually
need to be replaced after 7 to 10 years. Other components
than the solar panel have guaranteed lifetimes of up to 10
years.
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| Q:
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| A: It
certainly costs energy to produce (and mount) a solar panel.
Research has shown that after approximately 2 to 5 years the
electricity produced by a solar panel equals the energy that
was necessary to produce it. This is called the energy
pay-back time. Normally, solar panels have a life of 25
years or more. Solar energy is cheaper to produce than oil!
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| Q:
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| A: With
the right equipment, most systems monitor electric
production through maximum power point tracking or MPPT.
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| Q:
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A: Saving
energy and especially electricity starts by using your
appliances energy efficient, so switch them off when not
using them. Other hints for energy efficiency:
- Don't forget to switch off the lights when you leave a
room.
- Opt for energy saving lamps (compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)).
- Buy only energy efficient appliances (refrigerator, TV
set).
- Check with your local utility company for programs in your
area.
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| Q:
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A: Yes,
solar panels do not cause hazardous radiation or cause
exposure to harmful materials. In fact, solar panels are a
quiet non-polluting source of renewable energy. However, as
solar panels generate electricity, the normal precautions
should be taken into account. In case of doubt, ask
you supplier about warranty concerns..
Lightning:
A solar electricity system causes little extra risk for
lightning when normal precautions are taken. Lightning can cause damage to
equipment such as inverters and batteries. In case of doubt,
always ask you supplier.
Batteries:
Batteries store electricity and contain strong chemical
(acids) and should be handled with great care. Batteries
should be protected (fuse) against short circuits (fire
hazard) and kept away from children. Batteries should be
kept in a cool, well-ventilated place. In case of doubt, ask
you supplier.
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| Q:
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A: Solar
electricity is used all over the world. It is used in
isolated and populated areas, in developing and developed
countries. The last few years there has been an enormous
growth in installed systems. By the end of 1998 world-wide
an accumulated solar power of almost 400 MWp was installed.
400 MWp are 4 million panels of 100 Watt peak (or 4 million
square meters).
(source: International Energy Agency)
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| Q.
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| A. It doesn't really work that way.
Until you walk in the door and flip on that first switch,
your house uses no electricity. Each person or family's
power use and needs are as unique as a fingerprint. The cost
and design of your personal power system is totally
dependent on your power use needs and preferences. By
knowing how much power your family uses in a day (look at
your utility bill), we will be able to give you accurate
information on the costs of an RE (Renewable Energy) system.
Most
household unknowingly waste electricity needlessly.
Incandescent lighting, phantom loads, and inefficient
appliances waste in the neighborhood of 20% of all power
consumed. With an RE system, a watt saved is a watt earned.
We can help you determine what your daily power usage should
be utilizing your power in an efficient manner. We will be
able to help you determine what systems components will be
needed to produce that power for you using Renewable Energy.
One size does NOT fit all. Each RE system is unique and is
designed to your needs and resources. Typical system costs
run from $8K to $30K.
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| Q.
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| A.
Renewable Energy generation is dependent upon the
availability of RE sources at each specific site. What
Nature grants you in terms of blowing wind, flowing water
and direct sunlight will determine what you can harvest. We
accept what Mother Nature freely gives us while she gives it
and say Thanks!
A well
designed renewable energy system blends your electrical
needs with the available RE resources at your site.
Photovoltaics panels (PVs) use sunlight to make electricity.
Wind turbines use the wind, and micro-hydro turbines use
water under pressure. For the most economical and effective
installation, you need to determine what sort of Renewable
Energy system will work for you. This involves some homework
and taking a hard look at your electrical use patterns.
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| Q.
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A. For
an off grid home, if your clothes dryer, cooking range and
water heater use gas, then most of your other appliances
should be okay. When I buy an appliance for my Renewable
Energy powered home I get one that is energy and water
efficient. My automatic dishwasher, for example, is an
Asko, a Swedish model, that is very efficient on water and
electricity. It has a heating element in the machine
itself. This can be turned off with a button. If our solar
hot water system heats the water sufficiently, we can
choose not to use electricity to do that task.
Anytime you
use electricity to make heat or cold it takes a lot of it.
Electric space heaters, stoves, and water heaters are all
very large consumers of electricity. Unless you have a
very good wind or micro hydro site, these are best put on
gas, wood or solar thermal sources. Air conditioners are
also heavy consumers, but evaporative cooling, which works
well in areas that are not very humid, are not. Be
realistic when you use or buy an electric appliance. Do
you really need that 1500 watt blow dryer or will an 800W
model do the job just as well? All appliances do NOT
consume the same amount of electricity
These are
all small things, but together they can save big bucks in
a renewable energy system. Lights, appliances,
communication, a refrigerator/freezer and water pumping
will be the most essential power consumers. Once we
determine what your necessary daily power usage is we will
be able to help you determine what systems components will
be needed to produce that power for you using Renewable
Energy.
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| Q. |
| A.
Solar Power: Nearly everyone has access to some
sunlight. How many hours of unobstructed sunlight do you get
in a day? The crucial time period is the three or four hours
on either side of solar noon. If there are trees, buildings,
etc, that block the sunshine during those periods, using PVs
may be less effective for you.
Wind
Energy: How hard does the
wind blow in your area? Is it seasonal or year round? Is it
windiest during stormy periods of little sun? Do surrounding
trees and bushes tend to grow leaning away from the
prevailing wind? Are there tall trees or buildings close by
that will cause turbulence to the wind stream? Don�t use
your local airport�s wind measurements. Airports are
usually built in the least windy area. Look around.
Micro-Hydro
Power: If you have a creek or
a stream, how many gallons per minute does it flow? Does the
flow change radically from winter to summer? Any fish in the
creek? How far from your home site is it? How much pressure
or vertical fall can be developed by piping the water along
your property? Water used to run a micro-hydro turbine has
to be free to leave the bottom of the turbine unobstructed.
It can not go back into a pressurized system.
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| Q.
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| A.
Renewable Energy sources usually produce DC power. This
electricity (most often 12, 24 or 48 volt DC) is sent by
wire runs to a battery bank, or directly to a grid intertied
inverter in a no battery system. In a battery based system,
these will be deep cycle batteries, suited to this sort of
usage and sized to meet your needs. From the batteries the
power goes into an inverter which changes to regular
household current. You won�t need to change your in house
wiring or appliances. All Code required safety equipment and
good system monitoring and metering will be designed into
your system.
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| Q.
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| A.
30 states now have �net metering� programs to encourage
the use of renewables on grid. If you intertie your system
to the utility power Grid. In Oregon, you can participate in
the Energy
Trust of Oregon Incentive Program. you can sell
excess power back to the utility. It�s quite a thrill to
watch your utility meter spin backwards! With a battery
based system, the inverter will automatically switch to
powering your loads from the battery in the event of a
electrical grid black out. When the grid comes back on, it
automatically switches back. In a battery less system, the RE
sources automatically disconnect in the event of an outage.
You go dark along with everyone else.
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