huh???
In the long run solar may be cheaper. Very few people can afford to buy 20 years of power up front. Solar requires a significant cash outlay that many people don't have, or if they do they prefer a new SUV. This does not mean that solar is more expensive than the grid over a systems lifespan.
It is more efficient to run off of the panels than the batteries. The situation you describe where there is a slower charge is actually a good thing, batteries charge more efficiently at a slow rate than a fast rate. If you run most of your heavy loads during the day you can increase efficiency considerably. You would absolutely NOT want to disconnect your loads to charge your batteries then run that load off the batteries at night, it is exactly the wrong thing to do.
The watt rating on the panel is based upon a standard. It is at rated voltage vs nominal system voltage, so unless you have a Maximuum Power Point Tracking charge controller you will lose about 20% off the top. They do put out less power at, say 8am than at noon, which is part of the reason for using a scientific insolation number in ones calculations. My panels in Taos NM often put out considerably MORE than their rating (I blew a 25 amp fuse on a 18 amp array, repeatedly).
A modified sine wave (NOT SQUARE WAVE) is fine for 98% of electronics. You would need a sine wave inverter for a laser printer, a recording studio, etc. Motors don't care one bit, but do take a momentary surge far greater than their rated load. I've used modified sine wave inverters for 3 years on my solar and never had trouble with a single item. Sine wave inverters are a nice luxery (no bothersome hums), but rarely needed.
I run a small fridge off of my 1kw (2kw surge) inverter without any troubles. I know of quite a few people who run high efficiency washing machines off of a 2.5 to 3.5kw Trace.
15-20k (US of course) is a very doable figure for a home. I KNOW this for a fact, as I know people who install systems for a living and perhaps 10% of my county has solar as their primary electrical. One does sometimes need to change ones habits about leaving lights on, when they do wash (best when its sunny), etc. I don't know what effect A/C would have, it would depend on many variables; I am sure a small A/C could be used in a bedroom without adding too much of a load.
A system with a small efficient fridge, a couple fans, a couple of high use CF bulbs and a TV would cost under $4000.
May I enquire what experience you have had in the field? I have installed three small solar electrical systems personally. I have talked extensively with people who have installed 5kw systems (panels not inverters) and dismantled commercial solar power plants. I don't think you know what you are talking about, many of your comments are factually incorrect. Perhaps you should tell some of my neighbors that their fridges and wash machines aren't actually running like they seem to be.
AZB said:
In the long run solar may be cheaper. Very few people can afford to buy 20 years of power up front. Solar requires a significant cash outlay that many people don't have, or if they do they prefer a new SUV. This does not mean that solar is more expensive than the grid over a systems lifespan.
It is more efficient to run off of the panels than the batteries. The situation you describe where there is a slower charge is actually a good thing, batteries charge more efficiently at a slow rate than a fast rate. If you run most of your heavy loads during the day you can increase efficiency considerably. You would absolutely NOT want to disconnect your loads to charge your batteries then run that load off the batteries at night, it is exactly the wrong thing to do.
The watt rating on the panel is based upon a standard. It is at rated voltage vs nominal system voltage, so unless you have a Maximuum Power Point Tracking charge controller you will lose about 20% off the top. They do put out less power at, say 8am than at noon, which is part of the reason for using a scientific insolation number in ones calculations. My panels in Taos NM often put out considerably MORE than their rating (I blew a 25 amp fuse on a 18 amp array, repeatedly).
A modified sine wave (NOT SQUARE WAVE) is fine for 98% of electronics. You would need a sine wave inverter for a laser printer, a recording studio, etc. Motors don't care one bit, but do take a momentary surge far greater than their rated load. I've used modified sine wave inverters for 3 years on my solar and never had trouble with a single item. Sine wave inverters are a nice luxery (no bothersome hums), but rarely needed.
I run a small fridge off of my 1kw (2kw surge) inverter without any troubles. I know of quite a few people who run high efficiency washing machines off of a 2.5 to 3.5kw Trace.
15-20k (US of course) is a very doable figure for a home. I KNOW this for a fact, as I know people who install systems for a living and perhaps 10% of my county has solar as their primary electrical. One does sometimes need to change ones habits about leaving lights on, when they do wash (best when its sunny), etc. I don't know what effect A/C would have, it would depend on many variables; I am sure a small A/C could be used in a bedroom without adding too much of a load.
A system with a small efficient fridge, a couple fans, a couple of high use CF bulbs and a TV would cost under $4000.
May I enquire what experience you have had in the field? I have installed three small solar electrical systems personally. I have talked extensively with people who have installed 5kw systems (panels not inverters) and dismantled commercial solar power plants. I don't think you know what you are talking about, many of your comments are factually incorrect. Perhaps you should tell some of my neighbors that their fridges and wash machines aren't actually running like they seem to be.
