Home > January, 2010
we are looking at solar power for our new land, are you a family of 5? have you done this before, thanks.
Hey Hotmumma, I applaud you for looking into solar power. In my experience, when you look into solar power, the one thing there is an abundance of is misinformation.
We live in a home that has been powered by the wind and sun for 10 years now. Our solar array fits quite nicely on the space provided by our one car carport, it generates 1.4 kilowatts during peak sun, and does not need thousands of square feet of space. Our entire system, including the wind turbine, battery bank and other electronics costs less than $15,000 USD. After state incentives, tax deductions and the small amount we receive selling carbon credits to industry, our cost is just under $10,000. We do have a small, efficient home, just under 1,200 square feet, but the point is clear, you don’t need to mortgage your sisters second home to pay for it. We still have the utility company here, but our monthly bills average about $6. I would estimate our payback at 10 to 12 years, but that is not the main reason we did all of this.
Last year, there were two power failures in our county, each lasting about half a day. In both cases, we were not aware of them. It’s difficult to put a price tag on something like that. There is also the fact that when we do a load of laundry, or run the TV, we are not adding CO2 to the air and mercury to the water because our power is not sourced from a coal power plant. In a few years,we plan on replacing one of our cars with a plug in hybrid, which will charge from our solar array once we add a few more panels to it, at a cost of about $1,000. This will allow us to have transportation in town with virtually no environmental footprint, or any need to buy gasoline.
Beyond our own personal benefits, having a solar powered home has made us the defacto expert on the field in our town. To that end, we started running solar power seminars at our local school several years ago. We spend an hour or so with the 5th graders in school, hooking up a panel, battery, and some small loads so they can learn how it works. Then they run a field trip out to our place to see a working solar powered home first hand. Our hope is that in several more years, they will grow up to persue the same thing you are today.
Powering your home from solar power requires more than mere technology however, it requires some lifestyle changes. People who grow their own tomatoes know a great deal about soil, watering, bugs and sunlight because they have to. Even though it might be cheaper to buy them at the store, they go to the trouble to maintain a garden. People who grow their own electrons instead of buying them at the power company have a similar curse. They have to know where each one goes in their home. When you power your home from renewable sources, there is no such thing as an, "Average House," or "Standard Size Panel." Every situation is different. No matter how well you plan your system, or how many contingencies you allow for, there will always be a day where you have a shortage of power. Most solar homeowners I know have a generator for just such a shortage, but they work hard to run it as little as possible. Like I said, it’s a lifestyle, and only you can decide if it’s right for you. What I would suggest is you do some more research, beyond asking people who have never tried it for advice over the internet. First get a subscription to Home Power Magazine, the only periodical devoted to these things. Then check out some of the non profit groups I have listed below. Learn what you can, try to make it to one of the renewable energy fairs in your area. In the end you might decide not to get involved at all, and that’s fine. At least you will be well informed. Good luck, and take care, Rudydoo
I like to know how much it would cost to by a wind turbine to power my home an that includes professional installation. How much on average would i have to pay yearly for maintenance costs. Would i get a task cut from the government. If you can answer my questions that would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi Nour K.
The easiest way to find the information is to go to the links below.
The Build It Solar website has listing and multiple links on wind power home projects.
When you get there, there is a directory at the left side of the page.
Wind power Basics
Four others,
And Sampling of wind power turbine suppliers.
Scroll down the page, there is a link to www.eere.energy.gov ,,,
And a hole lot more there.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Wind/wind.htm#DIYWind
The Eco-Friendly Power website has five products from 2 kilowatt to 20 kilowatt.
Just click on any one of the pictures for more information.
http://www.redriven.net/products.html
For example, this the 5Kw package
http://www.redriven.net/products_5kw.html
Edit , I came back and added more.
It comes with:
•FD6.4-5000 including generator, blades, flange
•5 Kw ReDriven On-Grid Controller
•1 PVI-6000 Inverter
MSRP: $14,825.40* USD
These are the specifications for the 5Kw
Rated Power: 5000W
Rated Voltage: 240v 60hz
Start up wind speed: 2 m/s (4.4mph)
Rated Wind speed: 10m/s (22.35)
Blade material: Fiber Glass
5,000 watts at 240 Vac is 20 amps
or 40 amps at 120 volts
Here are videos of the 10Kw unit:
http://www.redriven.net/media.html
Here is a search for [home wind turbine cost]
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=home+wind+turbine+cost&rlz=1R2GGLP_enUS353&aq=4&oq=home+wind+turbine&aqi=g10
From there to here:
What do I need to know to purchase a residential wind turbine? Jump to How much does a wind system cost?: A small turbine can cost anywhere from $6000 to $22000 installed, depending upon size, …
http://www.awea.org/faq/rsdntqa.html
This a demonstration video describing how a wing generator works:
http://www.skystreamenergy.com/how-it-works/skystreaminmotion.php
Sorry I can not find how much a professional installation costs, you could contact several manufactures to find out.
Wingman
my bills have been very big. thanx in advance and happy new year x
Cut the heat down to 68. Lower the temperature setting of your hot water heater to the lowest setting-drain the hot water heater, periodically to remove mineral build-up.Change your filters on your furnace or heat pump at regular intervals, at least monthly. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
When you are not going to be home-such as at work, turn the heat down to 60 degrees. Buy a programmable thermostat , if you can afford one, that way, you can come home to a 68 degree house, instead of a 60 degree house.get an electric blanket, that way you can turn the heat down to 65 at night and turn it up to 68 when you wake up. Use a Microwave and Crock Pot, when possible.A toaster oven uses less electricity than a full sized oven since it does not have as much space to heat up, so use one when possible.Turn off all lights when you are not in the room.Believe it or not, a Dishwasher uses less water and electricity than washing dishes by hand, If you can afford one, buy a Front Loading Washing Machine. Wash clothes in cold water-there are several excellent cold water formulated laundry detergents-I use BioKleen Cold Water Formula and it only takes an ounce to get even my husband’s greasy;grimy clothes clean.Plus, it is formulated for HE washing machines. Dry your clothes on a clothes line and fluff them up in the dryer for 15 minutes on low, or No Heat to get rid of the lint.Make sure you use a liquid softener-the cheap stuff works fine and in a pinch-diluted hair conditioner works-otherwise line drying can make your clothes kinda stiff,.Purchase a Navy Shower Shower Head, you can turn it off by pushing in a button after you get wet and soaped up, then turn it back on to rinse off.Turn the water off after you get your toothbrush wet and fill the cup you use to rinse your mouth with, then turn the water back on to rinse your toothbrush and the sink.
I hope this helps some.
![]()
Duration : 0:0:0
Read more »
![]()
Duration : 0:0:0
Read more »
![]()
Duration : 0:0:0
Read more »
![]()
Duration : 0:0:0
Read more »
http://snurl.com/freeelectric Thank you, thank you… thank you!! I have to be honest, I had my doubts about this product, but I decided to take the bait, worked perfectly well, I think you really might be on to something with this technology. I wonder why isn't everyone using this?
Duration : 1 min 40 sec
Read more »
Technorati Tags: Wind
Visit http://www.Snurl.com/SunPower and Learn How to make your own solar panels for less than $200 just visit http://Snurl.com/SunPower Answer this question? Do you want to save thousands off the cost of solar panels? Of course you do! You can now make solar panels at home! You have probably read about it or seen it on TV, but have you tried it yourself? Just check out this site and see how easy it can be!
Make Solar Panels at Home – Make Solar Power and Generate Solar Power
Duration : 2 min 32 sec
Read more »
Technorati Tags: make
http://www.GuitarLessons.com
.
Sign up for the FREE secret-lessons at: http://www.GuitarLessons.com
.
Learn how to properly hold an electric guitar in this lesson! Nate shows you the right way to hold the electric guitar to get the most out of it!
Duration : 2 min 40 sec
Read more »
Technorati Tags: holding