Solar Panel set up...Help!

[wfopete]

First of all I'm not that big a fan of solar power. I mean yeah it works but the ROI takes awhile. Anyway apparently I don't get a vote in this as my wife wants to try a small solar panel set up to run some lights for some out building we have. Also she's thinking about a green house set up down the road. I'm considering of one of those Lowes/Harbor Freight/Northern Tool/Home Depot type of kits. has anyone tried this type of kit or can someone steer me in the right direction as to stuff to avoid or good products for this project? I have a feeling when it comes to solar, you get what you pay for.

 

[Squankum]

What's the ROI on writing checks to the power company?

These folks have many things, and a big book, too:

https://realgoods.com/off-grid-resources

 

[ard]

First of all I'm not that big a fan of solar power. I mean yeah it works but the ROI takes awhile. Anyway apparently I don't get a vote in this as my wife wants to try a small solar panel set up to run some lights for some out building we have. Also she's thinking about a green house set up down the road. I'm considering of one of those Lowes/Harbor Freight/Northern Tool/Home Depot type of kits. has anyone tried this type of kit or can someone steer me in the right direction as to stuff to avoid or good products for this project? I have a feeling when it comes to solar, you get what you pay for.

Unless you are doing a grid tie system, you are prolly ******* away $$.


Have you done any analysis in your area (solar exposure) based on your electrical costs and rates???

 

[lakelandcat]

Here in Tn. we are a coal state so the state Gov. doesn't really support solar. I found this out this summer when I wanted to use solar to power the shop. The cost of the panels against the cost of the rebates and because power cost here is so low, it was not feasible. It would have taken 10 years to recoup my money, then I would have had to look at maint. The cost of bat. and all the inverter hardware right now is expensive. The cost of panels is coming down so maybe future it will make it affordable. Wind turbines give a better return, but are noisy and hard to get permitted if you in the burbs.

 

[bdbecker]

What's the ROI on writing checks to the power company?

Of course Google would be the ones who make finding this info easy...

https://www.google.com/get/sunroof

 

[kd3pc]

Hamilton Ferris has packages that will do what you are wanting...

http://www.hamiltonferris.com/categories/Solar_Lighting_Packages/15

great quality and support.

 

[Falcon67]

>It would have taken 10 years to recoup my money,

Actually for solar, that's damn good. Most quality panel now claim a 20 yr life plus.

 

[tyme2par4]

>It would have taken 10 years to recoup my money,

Actually for solar, that's damn good. Most quality panel now claim a 20 yr life plus.

Right, that's what people forget. Sure, it will take 10 years to payoff, but after that, you have free electricity for another 10 or 20 years.

 

[ard]

Mine took 5.5 years.

I did it myself, saving an easy 15k in install costs. Plus I live in California, land of 25+ cent killowatt hours

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

You wont get much useful information without being more specific about your goals, but it sounds like a solar security light with the bulb inside might handle your needs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... she's thinking about a green house set up down the road. I'm considering of one of those Lowes/Harbor Freight/Northern Tool/Home Depot type of kits. has anyone tried this type of kit or can someone steer me in the right direction as to stuff to avoid or good products for this project? I have a feeling when it comes to solar, you get what you pay for.

A green house would like use such a small amount of power you probably could not measure the cost savings, unless there is zero power there now. You are not going to get enough solar power to run any kind of heater for early germination. Solar with batteries is a lot more expensive.

The good news is that solar grid tie setups have come down a lot in the past 10 years. ROI in under 10 years is possible.

And you are right, "you get what you pay for".

 

[Richard Cranium]

Harbor freight panels have been upgraded, now you get 90 watts in 3 panel instead of the 45watts in 3 panels, Lots of youtube videos on solar. You could spend months watching them.

 

[Git]

Create a free account at Renvu and see what they have to offer
https://www.renvu.com/

I think any way you slice it, if your talking about an 'off the grid' type setting using batteries for storage, your going to find out it is not very cost effective

 

[Tunajoe]

https://www.wholesalesolar.com/
lots of good info here.
I didnt buy my stuff from the above link, but it started the process for me.
And you can get an idea of what panels and inverters cost

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

A green house would like use such a small amount of power you probably could not measure the cost savings, unless there is zero power there now. You are not going to get enough solar power to run any kind of heater for early germination. Solar with batteries is a lot more expensive.

Keeping your greenhouse just right can take pretty substantial power, especially if you are faking longer days. I've seen a few with ~30 panel arrays.

 

[stm317]

You can go to the following link, click on your state and see how many kWh/m2 the US Government thinks you can get in your specific area. Looks like AR averages 4.5-5 kWH/M2 of panel. It might be helpful in determining what size panel you'd need, which will go a long way in determining your ROI.
https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html

You can also try and enter your address to see if google maps thinks your specific property might get enough sunlight based on local electric rates, etc:
https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+panels+arkansas&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[Falcon67]

I'd also consider the newer panels with mini inverters built in. I think for a small shed, etc that would reduce complexity. A couple of $90 or $100 Sams 6V golf cart batteries and you'd be pretty much covered. Their $99 battery shows 20 amp/hr @ 165, which is 8.25 amps over 20 hrs - fill the shack with LEDs and let them run all night LOL.

 

[tyme2par4]

I'd also consider the newer panels with mini inverters built in. I think for a small shed, etc that would reduce complexity. A couple of $90 or $100 Sams 6V golf cart batteries and you'd be pretty much covered. Their $99 battery shows 20 amp/hr @ 165, which is 8.25 amps over 20 hrs - fill the shack with LEDs and let them run all night LOL.

I'm not aware of any panels with built in inverters that will run off-grid.