Anyone use solar power?

BlueZero · 04-14-08, 08:47

Just wondering if any of you use solar panels of any type on your homes, or any other renewable source of energy for that matter. Solar powered calculators don't count.

I just had another meeting with a local company that provides grants and benefits for building "green". My best friend is probably going to be building a "green" house this year. If you are going to build or remodel there are some really good programs out there.

Setec Astronomy · 04-14-08, 10:37

Here in NJ we had some really good solar programs initially. The state would give you a grant to offset half of the cost of the hardware/installation up to $20,000 (they would give you up to $10K), there was a tax benefit of IIRC about $2K (don't remember whether this was state or federal). This resulted in a 5 year payback on equipment that was supposed to have a life of 25 years, and on top of that, there were low-costs loans available. Great, right?

Then BP started selling systems through Home Depot. No matter how I work the payback calculator (larger/smaller systems etc.)...it comes up to about 22-23 years for payback. Who is going to put something on their roof that will interfere with any roof work, etc., that has a life of 25 years, when it won't be paid back until just before it has to be replaced? Sounds to me like someone put their fingers in the cookie jar.

truzoom · 04-14-08, 10:56

I have some plants that are solar powered. They work very well.

BlueZero · 04-14-08, 11:02

Agreed. It seems like there are some smaller companies in the PV market that will hopefully make the prices drop. I can't think of the name of the company but they have been focusing their R&D on making cheaper panels while most other companies have been trying to boost panel efficiency. PV doesn't seem to make much sense this far south of the equator right now anyway. Seems like there is more and more wind towers going up in this area.

There are also incentives for energy efficient components. Just looking at the list $25 per energy star window, $30 per CFL fixture, up to $150 for a water heater.

It's interesting to see where it's all headed. I was just wondering if any of you had any.

BlueZero · 04-14-08, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by truzoom

I have some plants that are solar powered. They work very well.

I don't think mine work. They always turn brown.

Danase · 04-14-08, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Here in NJ we had some really good solar programs initially. The state would give you a grant to offset half of the cost of the hardware/installation up to $20,000 (they would give you up to $10K), there was a tax benefit of IIRC about $2K (don't remember whether this was state or federal). This resulted in a 5 year payback on equipment that was supposed to have a life of 25 years, and on top of that, there were low-costs loans available. Great, right?

Then BP started selling systems through Home Depot. No matter how I work the payback calculator (larger/smaller systems etc.)...it comes up to about 22-23 years for payback. Who is going to put something on their roof that will interfere with any roof work, etc., that has a life of 25 years, when it won't be paid back until just before it has to be replaced? Sounds to me like someone put their fingers in the cookie jar.

I agree man. I have my degree in Architectural / Construction Technology and honestly the best thing you can do right now, until these other power sources become cheaper and easier, is to do things such as use 2x6 construction on your exterior walls to fit more insulation in, properly insulate your entire house, use good insulated windows, use energy efficient furnaces, hot water tanks, and so on.

BlueZero · 04-14-08, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

I agree man. I have my degree in Architectural / Construction Technology and honestly the best thing you can do right now, until these other power sources become cheaper and easier, is to do things such as use 2x6 construction on your exterior walls to fit more insulation in, properly insulate your entire house, use good insulated windows, use energy efficient furnaces, hot water tanks, and so on.

I thought it was interesting that my friends house is going to be a double exterior wall. It's staggered 2x4 studs on separate plates. That way you don't get the thermal transfer through the studs. I'm looking forward to maybe taking sometime off of work to help him build. There are a bunch of 'experts' involved with the design and layout so maybe I'll learn something.

Setec Astronomy · 04-14-08, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

I agree man. I have my degree in Architectural / Construction Technology and honestly the best thing you can do right now, until these other power sources become cheaper and easier, is to do things such as use 2x6 construction on your exterior walls to fit more insulation in, properly insulate your entire house, use good insulated windows, use energy efficient furnaces, hot water tanks, and so on.

Yeah...but...we went from a deal that you said "who wouldn't?" to a deal where you say "who would?". I dunno if the initial reports were just wishful thinking, or whether the BP/HD execs pocketed all the money the consumer was supposed to be saving. Somewhere I still have the NY Times article describing all the programs, who/where to contact, but it was small firms (at least compared to BP/HD). I know there's no free lunch, but this sounded pretty close, or at least a deal you wouldn't pass up.

White_07_G6_GT · 04-14-08, 11:34

My parents started with a Solar system just to run their pond pump a few years ago they now run about 80% of their house from solar. They are planning to add an additional array and battery set this summer that will give them a surplus to sell back to the local utility. It costs a fortune though, but then again they plan on staying in that house for a long long time.

Sherri Zann · 04-14-08, 11:58

I developed a 22 home green neighborhood called "Eno Commons" here in Durham, finished in 2000. Used passive solar (window orientation, overhangs, thermal mass -- basically zero extra cost), geothermal heat pumps, metal roofing, low-e argon-filled windows on E, W, N and clear windows, argon-filled on south to let in the winter sun. Had an air-tightness standard on the shell tested with blower-door testing, as well as blower-door tested air ducts.

In NC, 6" walls aren't really needed: 4" walls with damp-spray cellulose insulation and insulated board sheathing give a good wall. Off-set studs are a great idea, but basically overkill in our climate. I would avoid fiberglass insulation, in any case. Lots of air infiltration and, as commonly installed, places where compression compromises R-value.

These features created homes that sold for less than the median prices at that time, yet used 60% less energy. My 3 BR, 2 BA house had a year-round average of $36/mo for an all-electric house (only other utility bill was water). And it was really comfortable--we just set the thermostat at 70 and left it.

The passive solar features qualify for tax credits in NC, too. I got a credit of $1800 the year I moved in.

I totally agree with Danase: Sealing, insulation and solar hot water are the big improvements from a cost/benefit perspective, and basically if these upgrades are folded into a longer term mortgage, they generate savings from day 1. Photovoltaics are totally cool, but still expensive.

If anyone has interest in seeing the features we used at Eno Commons, just google "Eno Commons" and "Green Building". the first link is the NC Green Building database entry for EC. There was also an article about the development in Fine Homebuilding April '99.

BlueZero · 04-14-08, 12:25

Sherri Zann thanks for sharing. Looks like a nice neighborhood. I like the design of the buildings too. That Energy-10 software looks interesting, I'll have to look into that. Right now we only do ResCheck on the projects since that's what the state requires. I bookmarked your Eno Commons site, lots of good info there.

My friend and I have been thinking of going out and starting our own development and construction company. For right now we will be waiting for the real estate market to turn around before jumping in. Both of the companies we work for are having a hard time making it in this market so we don't want to try on our own right now. Maybe someday it will work out.