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Building homes that make more power than they take

Solar technology is still very much in its infancy stage. The people and corporations buying into it are part of the very much needed real world technology development stage. The data and information that comes back form the current consumers will help to develop better technology for tomorrow.

I'm seeing more and more solar panels all the time.

Look at the University Of Delaware's Field House:

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That's one feces load of solar panels on a curved roof. Huge building.

But I also see more private residence homes with panels as well.

I'm not sure why there's such "angry" attitude towards solar.

It's far from a perfect alternative, but it sure has massive potential.
 
What if...? said:
The part they electric companies leave out of their propaganda is the simple fact that peak solar output almost always coincides with peak demand.

Meaning solar systems HELP the grid by simply existing. So acting like they're "freeloading" is BS.
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Actually, peak demand usually occurs after peak solar output, hence the massive investment in R&D for energy storage.

Also, with the current push towards grid dependent transportation, grid capacity, conductor size (wire), etc., will all have to be improved, and increased.

All this requires money, which will be obtained one way or the other.
 
Mr.Nick said:
You're attempting to cite "cultural resistance" as the main reason as to why society as a whole doesn't embrace solar energy? yet everyone and their momma are driving "green cars" these days while shopping with "green bags?" "Green" is its own industry. Solar panels are NOT energy viable - their cost doesn't justify their means. That's why they're not being used as a main source of energy.Average Lifespan of Solar Panels Yea a "good quality" solar panel that is "well maintained" "could last" around 40 years. Yeah and a "good quality" car that is "well maintained" "could last" indefinitely... But we all know cars generally last 10 years until they're no longer worth the money to repair...
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Again you dodge the facts- solar power has had a road block since Reagan made it look un-american. Funny I hear green cars are not catching on when it suits the curmudgeons- you seem to use baseless statements as 'fact'- give some numbers! I don't see many green bags in Walmart- where do you shop where you see 'everybody' using green bags. :confused:

You tend to make crap up.

Green isn't it's own industry anymore than gas powered vehicles are their own industry compared to horse drawn wagons- they are both transports, it took gas power a bit to first replace and then become widespread- yet you would have sat there in 1925 and said the automobile will never catch on! :doh

What we know about cars is they have a warranty out to the expected lifespan. So if a solar panel has a 25 year warranty that tells me your BS about 90% fail in 10 years is just that, ill informed BS.
 
notquiteright said:
A libertartian who doesn't believe in the market system... :shock:

Odd you make your claims with no stats to back it up, it is just as easy to say many folks are more than happy with their PV panel arrays and quite a few love their wind generators.

Those that gain the rep for dependability and efficiency gain market share according to the worshipers of the 'invisible hand'. not all automobile companies survived Henry Ford's advances. yes they take energy to produce but so does oil, gas and coal. Coal doesn't dig itself and hop into the furnace! ;)

Solar panels are a pandora's box of opportunities. :mrgreen:
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The market systems hasn't been giving itself tax dollars, and funding poorly planned startup companies....and setting ridiculous mandates. No the government system does that. And there in lies the problem. Take a Solyndra pill and call me in the morning.
 
American said:
The market systems hasn't been giving itself tax dollars, and funding poorly planned startup companies....and setting ridiculous mandates. No the government system does that. And there in lies the problem. Take a Solyndra pill and call me in the morning.
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that is like saying the last 15 minutes of your life are all that count. fact is there has been many promises made since Nixon to work on weaning us off oil and absolutely no movement. If you look at any new venture, take autos for instance, there have been many failures but overall an advance in technology. The USofA government has subsidized a few failures throughout history. Some have had fits and starts- some were purely military that spun-off. For every military program that creates the interwebz there are a dozen failures like jet packs and frizbee grenades.

By granting tax breaks the government is doing the same thing it does for homeownership- that a few mortgage companies turned it into a ponzi scheme doesn't negate the overall concept.

One has only to look at the space program to see how abysmal the start was until finally we landed a man on the moon.

Take a much longer look back into our history and then call me in the morning. :2wave:
 
Middleground said:
There are a few companies here in my province that offer solar panels for free.

That's right, I wrote free.

The business model is simple but brilliant. The company locks in a price per kilowatt with the province. They then solicit business by looking for roofs for rent. Some criteria needs to be met, such as south/south west facing, and a minimum slope (30 degrees, I think). The company will then put as many solar panels as they can, and hook it up to give back to the grid. The homeowner will then get a fixed rate, based-on how many panels they were able to fit. My panels are set to be installed in the fall. No matter the amount of energy they will collect in any given year, I will be given approximately $500 for the next 25 years. After that time, the panels will belong to me. Imagine getting paid for doing nothing. I love it.
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20 bucks a year, huh? You can be my sugar mama. :D

Still though, it's a cool idea. It's not really free, but it's still a cool idea. I have no qualms with people wanting to go green. I'd do it if I could (and it wasn't costly).
 
Gipper said:
20 bucks a year, huh? You can be my sugar mama. :D

Still though, it's a cool idea. It's not really free, but it's still a cool idea. I have no qualms with people wanting to go green. I'd do it if I could (and it wasn't costly).
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Oops, I was not clear. I will be getting approximately $500 a year for the next 20 years. After that, they belong to me.
 
Middleground said:
Oops, I was not clear. I will be getting approximately $500 a year for the next 20 years. After that, they belong to me.
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500 a year? Damn, that's a lot better than 20. I could go for some of that.

Plus caring about "mother Earth" really gets the chicks.
 
Gipper said:
Gonna go out on a limb and say that there are no companies around here that have an offer like that.
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I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that you are right about that.
 
lizzie said:
I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that you are right about that.
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Gipper said:
Gonna go out on a limb and say that there are no companies around here that have an offer like that.
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Surprising, considering the US is the greatest capitalistic society. The business model is low risk and a no-brainer.
 
Middleground said:
Surprising, considering the US is the greatest capitalistic society. The business model is low risk and a no-brainer.
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Well, on a large scale, most renewable "green" energy is not cost viable. On a small scale it may be, but it may not be. I haven't checked the figures.
 
Gipper said:
Well, on a large scale, most renewable "green" energy is not cost viable. On a small scale it may be, but it may not be. I haven't checked the figures.
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That is quite true. Until the cost of the panels become affordable, and can generate more revenue than their cost, it's not viable. Energy is quite expensive here. I believe that Pure Energies locked in a price of .54 cents a kilowatt, which is pretty high.
 
Middleground said:
That is quite true. Until the cost of the panels become affordable, and can generate more revenue than their cost, it's not viable. Energy is quite expensive here. I believe that Pure Energies locked in a price of .54 cents a kilowatt, which is pretty high.
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It may be cheaper if energy wasn't Canada's #1 export to the United States...even ahead of soft lumber.
 
Gipper said:
It may be cheaper if energy wasn't Canada's #1 export to the United States...even ahead of soft lumber.
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Soft lumber...is that like a semi erection, or something?
 
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