Vazdot Blog -Solar Power House

I am just buying a house in Pleasanton Ca and would like to go solar. How much is the cost and how long does it take to get money back. Thanks. Any other useful info is appreciated.

I’m not there, so the best answer I could give is:
Look in your local newspaper and yellow pages and look for locals who specialize in this type of work. If anything like Indiana, we almost all will be glad to come inspect your home and give a free estimate. That would be your best bet on learning the answer to this question.
Go Green!

Something that is affordable and you can use at home.

The technology is well-proven for professionally installed systems, so I wouldn’t worry too much about anything except the installer’s reputation and expertise.

At present, solar electric involves $10k, $20k, maybe even more of capital investment in order to be cost effective in the USA. It varies by location. With rebates in some states, this can be cheaper than the grid electricity you presently buy, over the course of 10 or 20 years. Or, if the power you’re buying right now is already very expensive, like 30 cents per kWh or more, then you can save money with solar. You can only SAVE money, it’s not really "free".

But take heart! I think panel prices will be dropping in the next year or so. There was a shortage of polysilicon, the raw material that makes the majority of panels today, but new supplies will finally be coming on line.

Also, if saving money is your goal, first and foremost, invest in conservation – efficient appliances, insulation.

Finally, a solar hot water heater, displacing an electric one, can pay for itself in maybe 3 or 4 years, depending on where you live.

We installed solar panels on our house, $12,000 after rebate for a 2.5 kW system, about 2 years ago. A neighbor just installed a system, for about the same price, except they got 3.5 kW, professionally installed. Prices are beginning to soften.

Link to our system below if you’re curious.

I was wondering is solar water heating a more cost efficient use of solar power over using large arrays to power your house or large solar thermal plants that are being contemplated all over the world.

It depends on how you do it. Passive solar is the most efficient and reliable. The more pumps, storage tanks and controllers you use the less efficient and reliable the system will be. The egyptians were successfully using passive solar 3,000 years ago and it still works the same.

i would like to know how much do i have to pay in order to installed the solar power system in my house. i live in california.

It will depend on a variety of things. Since you live in CA you should get a great rebate through your utility. The size of system will depend on your location, any shade, roof orientation and usage. I can tell you a little about my system.

I have a 2000sf tri level home in No. CA, I got a 3.74 kwdc system which cost $26K, I got a $10K rebate and a $2K fed tax credit (would have been $7800 if I waited till this year). I am generating about 90% of my summer energy and 75% of my winter energy (shorter days, less light). It took my summer bill from around $250 to under $20. I should break even no later than 6 years, most likely sooner with the rate increases they are proposing.

There are programs in some areas that lease panels, but I advise you get a no cost no obligation quote from a licensed contractor. They should be able to advise a system that is right for you, let you know about local rebates, net metering (buying back excess energy) etc.

Could you tell me a few differences in between solar power and nuclear power?Also could you tell a few similarities?anything would be great.Thanks!

Solar power has a relatively low capacity factor, on Earth it is not sunny all of the time. Nuclear fission power plants have a very high capacity factor. Both power plants are expensive to build and expect return on investment over the life of the power plant. Both produce energy according to E= MC squared, the sun is fusion powered, while nuclear power plants are fission powered. Fission plants require Uranium fuel which has to be mined/refined, solar panels require chemicals and metals which need to be mined/refined.
I hope I have helped, check out the links for more information, good luck!

Hi i need to know more about solar power usage for home needs. If anybody can explain the details with contact person.

If you are wanting to know what equipment is required, any basic system will require:
Solar or photovoltaic panels which produce the electrical energy.
Batteries to store the electricity fornight time.
A charge controller to stop the batteries being over charged.
An Inverter to convert your low voltage DC powere to higher voltage AC

For much more complete information on what is required and what it does-

Even the well to do families in india who have these acs and all types of energy consuming applainces do not install solar panels on their terraces. Why

Because for what they are worth, solar panels are not worth the money. Solar panels cost too much money to be an economically viable option for families. If solar panel research can come through with a breakthrough in how much energy solar panels produce, then more people will buy them.

i wanted to know the quantities of solar modules of which watt if i want 220v voltage.

A typical family household (in Europe) uses 20 – 40 kWh/day.
If we assume 60 kWh/day for your two family house, a south-facing roof at the perfect angle towards the sun, an average of 4hrs of sunshine a day (Southern Europe) and 15% cell efficiency, you’d need 100 sqm of solar panels (installation cost EUR50000-70000).
This is just a rough estimate, please contact a local expert to make a more exact calculation for your situation (incl. subsidies, etc.).

I also want to stay off the electric grid . It would cost an additional ten thousand dollars to be hooked into it and I want to be independant from utilities. Would solar panels and batteries power lights and T.V , computer , washer dryer ect.

TV, lights and small appliances, yes. Washer, maybe. Dryer, not likely unless it’s gas – consider a clothesline. Electric range or oven, no. Hot tub, no unless it’s converted to a gas heater.

The raw panels are about $3-8 per watt. So for 6Kw figure about $18k for the panels. The charger/inverter and batteries, figure $2-3k more. Figure about $30k including the installation.

You might also consider a generator. The off-grid houses I’ve seen tend to have them, even if they have batteries too. Add $3k for that.

Do you have a creek? Consider small-scale hydro too.

Real Goods ’solar guru’ John Schaeffer discusses how photovoltaic modules (solar panels) are made and why it is so important that we continue to develop solar technology. Learn more at http://www.realgoodssolar.com .

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