Has anyone done Solar? (HOA, how much, house)

[traficdogn]

I will eventually do solar electricity, whether it be next year or 10 years from now I do not know.

A few questions.

#1) Which installation companies are recommended?
#2) How much of a price difference is it to install at 5kw vs 10 kw? I believe I have enough roof to do either.
#3) Have you been to any good expo's etc. locally that provides good information?
#4) If you do Net Metering, do you like it?

[svg210]

ahh yes I am currently awaiting a good response to this aswell, but I have somewhat of an Idea to throw around. Im planning to get the 5kw the 10kw is far more expensive and its recomended for a house hold of 6+. The set up that I want is: basicly everything will run on solar except the fridge, and the water heater.

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by svg210

ahh yes I am currently awaiting a good response to this aswell, but I have somewhat of an Idea to throw around. Im planning to get the 5kw the 10kw is far more expensive and its recomended for a house hold of 6+. The set up that I want is: basicly everything will run on solar except the fridge, and the water heater.

Why not on the water heater?

I know nothing about solar home energy but I am highly interested and I just wondered. It seems to me like this would be the ideal appliance to 'go solar' with, especially if it's outside?

But like I said I have no idea what I'm talking about so that's why I'm asking.

[smitty12]

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

Why not on the water heater?

I know nothing about solar home energy but I am highly interested and I just wondered. It seems to me like this would be the ideal appliance to 'go solar' with, especially if it's outside?

But like I said I have no idea what I'm talking about so that's why I'm asking.

Because they are using solar to generate electricity, not heat water directly. I imagine that electric water heaters had a high demand when they are actually heading water, but no demand after the water gets to the desired temperature. The instantaneous demand for electricity of the water heater would overwhelm the solar panels. Same problem with the fridge, it does not run constantly either, instead it demands a lot of electricity for short periods of time.

This is also why in the installation solar cells I have seen they are typically interconnected into the main electrical grid. When your fridge or water heater are running you suck juice from the grid, but when they are not your solar cells might be producing more electricity than you need. In that case juice flows into the grid so you neighbor can run their water heater. At least some electric companies actually pay you for electricity you add to the grid...

Now there are solar water heating systems that essentially pipe the water up to your roof for pre-heating before bringing it inside to get it up to the desired temperature. They have been around for years, but do not generate electricity....

[Danilo-11]

Originally Posted by smitty12

Because they are using solar to generate electricity, not heat water directly. I imagine that electric water heaters had a high demand when they are actually heading water, but no demand after the water gets to the desired temperature. The instantaneous demand for electricity of the water heater would overwhelm the solar panels. Same problem with the fridge, it does not run constantly either, instead it demands a lot of electricity for short periods of time

I really hope that it's not designed like that
since they can use UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to save electricity in batteries when there's "too much" electricity.

[smitty12]

Originally Posted by Danilo-11

I really hope that it's not designed like that
since they can use UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to save electricity in batteries when there's "too much" electricity.

That can be done too.... But would you need a lot of battery, hookup to the grid is the better option in most cases.

[scuba steve]

I just figured it was because the water heater was gas-powered. I'd imagine that it takes a decent amount of energy to keep 40-50 gallons of water at temperature, and that tankless heaters have a pretty good current draw while they're being used.

[Birdz]

I'm not planning on solar panels myself, but I recently heard a horror story on the news about an HOA forcing a person to remove their solar panels after installation because they were "ugly."

If you Google solar panels + HOA - you'll get an eyeful.

[millie61]

When we lived in Florida we had solar panels to heat our pool it was wonderful. Why do people not have them here in Texas ???

[Birdz]

millie61 - I'm fairly new to Texas, but I THINK that for the most part, energy costs in Texas are fairly cheap compared to many other areas in the country.
It is quite expensive to install solar panels and I'm assuming people don't see the need to go that route YET. CPS does offer rebate incentives for solar energy installation (among other things) on their rebate page.