Solar Voltiac roof panels (credit, how much, houses)

[boscoo]

I know there is alot of chat on here about renewable energy so please tell me if you know about solarvoltiac roof panels. I came up with some info when I google the subject, but not enough. I'm looking at buying a 2-3 bedroom home in So. N.H. which has existing electric heat. It needs a new roof and I want to know if those solar roof shingles would be enough to supply enough energy to heat the house. Please let me know the cost of intallation and what the return would be on savings. Ideally, I would be okay with paying 10-15K to install and look for 80-100% heating capacity. If I solar paneled the entire roof will it heat and/or supply enough electrical power for everything else? Or I'm I way off, please let me know.

Thanks

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by boscoo

I know there is alot of chat on here about renewable energy so please tell me if you know about solarvoltiac roof panels. I came up with some info when I google the subject, but not enough. I'm looking at buying a 2-3 bedroom home in So. N.H. which has existing electric heat. It needs a new roof and I want to know if those solar roof shingles would be enough to supply enough energy to heat the house. Please let me know the cost of intallation and what the return would be on savings. Ideally, I would be okay with paying 10-15K to install and look for 80-100% heating capacity. If I solar paneled the entire roof will it heat and/or supply enough electrical power for everything else? Or I'm I way off, please let me know.

Thanks

Generally you won't need to tile the whole roof. The installer will do the calculation. You need to have plenty exposure to the sky - not be surrounded by tall trees that shade the roof. You'll need to worry about snow in the winter - they won't work obviously with snow on them - and snow won't just slip off if there is a heavy fall as some suggest. $10-15K is pretty low for materials in install. You'll almost certainly need to replace components with more energy efficient versions (water heater, radiant floors, better wall and ceiling insulation). Also - to get to 100% heating cost you'll need to measure on a yearly basis. You'll use way more juice from the grid in winter than you're putting back in - however, if the system is sized well - you'll make that up over summer.

Link to some north-eastern green show houses: Green Buildings Open House

[boscoo]

Thanks, I didn't think about the snow, but that makes sense. That will add to the upkeep. How much would you estimate for the cost?

[rmcewan]

I think you're going to be looking at a budget of $25-35K not factoring in rebates and tax credits.

Actually, I think the ultimate green combo would be solar+wind for power and a geothermal heat pump for heating and optionally cooling.

[Rexicana]

From what I understand the #1 thing to do to save energy is to improve your insulation. I believe there are folks in VT who are trying to use insulation alone in the winter, no heat. The house we are moving into is considered super-efficient, and that mainly has to do with the insulation (check your windows, roof, walls, etc.).

A guy who works for a solar company out of CA (but who now lives in NH) told me that NH actually gets 80% of the sunshine that CA does. If that is true, and it is not too snowy of a winter, then getting value from the panels is possible.

You may want to call a solar company and ask them. Good luck!

[skinut74]

i am not looking to discourage your idea- but- when i started investigating solar power, the cost for installation and minimal maintenance made the project a poor investment. my setup would have cost $40k . with a life expectancy of 20 years (optomistic) for the solar panels, it would have cost me more money than getting electricity the old fashioned way. when the cost of the panels comes down, i will look into it again

[GregW]

I do not believe that you could afford to install enough solar photovoltaic panels to heat your home. Collecting solar energy and collecting solar heat are two related but different things. As you already have an electrically heated house there are some things you can do to save you money and increase the efficiency of you house. First contact your electric supplier. Some are offering a discount or free energy audit. This will tell you how efficient your existing house is as well a pinpoint the less than obvious heat leaks. After studying the results of the audit fix the heat losses and possibly add insulation to the walls and ceiling.
After you have done that consider installing a ground source (geothermal) heating system operating off the grid. The major problem I see in your situation is you do not have a hydronic (circulating water) heat distribution system already installed. Adding one could (would) be very expensive. If you decide to go this route I suggest avoiding a baseboard type heating system and installing under floor radiant heat. This system has the major advantages of more even and comfortable heat at a lower temperature for the circulating water. The lower temperature greatly increases the efficiency of the ground source heat pump. If you desire to recover solar energy after you install the geothermal you can easily add some solar water heaters to the system.
In any case start with the energy audit and keep in touch.

[boscoo]

Thanks for the info, I'll let you know what I decide.

[megehee]

I am getting ready to install a new roof and want to install solar roof panels. My uncle is a construction contractor in CA and will install, but will I need someone else to install these shingles? I'd like to use this to curb my electricity bill. I am googling for information, but I have not found a lot yet. If you have any resources to share, I would appreciate it. I plan to call PSNH tomorrow to find out if I can do the net thing where excess electricity rolls back my meter. Thanks!

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by megehee

I am getting ready to install a new roof and want to install solar roof panels. My uncle is a construction contractor in CA and will install, but will I need someone else to install these shingles? I'd like to use this to curb my electricity bill. I am googling for information, but I have not found a lot yet. If you have any resources to share, I would appreciate it. I plan to call PSNH tomorrow to find out if I can do the net thing where excess electricity rolls back my meter. Thanks!

First thing you need is a quote and the only way to get that is to have someone come out and look at your home. Do explain that you are costing it out that way the contractor can give you just an estimate rather than a full bid for the job (which should/would take him longer to put together and thus cost him more).

But here's what you're going to find: cost of the panels, wiring, electronics, batteries, inverters, switching, etc. will take many years to pay back directly esp. in NH where there are almost no* tax incentives (some towns offer incentives on property tax - but figure those are going to be towns with big tax bills already).

(*there may be some federal breaks).