Re: Re: Midterms
  By: Mark Hofmann to Rob McCart on Mon Aug 15 2022 04:00 pm

 > RM> My sister covered her garage roof with solar panels that feed back into
 > RM> the grid to save them a small percentage of their power costs. The panels
 > RM> cost them $80,000, make about half the power they were estimated to
 > RM> produce and have to be cleared of snow in winter. There are frequent
 > RM> equipment failures, mostly with the computerized parts of the collection
 > RM> knocking out individual panels. Being into the grid there are no
 > RM> batteries involved.
 > RM>
 > RM> The old saying, 'It seemed like a good idea at the time!' comes to mind..
 > 
 > I have heard similar stories from friends of mine that have done the exact
same thi
 > 
 > Not to mention that I hear the same thing from people.  They don't get near
the red
 > 
 > I just did a quick calculation.  If you average bill is $350/month and even
if the 
 > 
 > - Mark
 > 
 > --- WWIVToss v.1.52
 >  * Origin:  http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (618:100/12.0)

I agree it does not make much sense to place solar if your goal is to save
money. You
can bank on the fact that the price of power is bound to rise (which is not an
unreasonable gamble) but such numbers are speculation.

Now, if you want a fallback power supply in case the grid goes bonkers, I think
it is
not unreasonable. If you have the pockets for it.

Sure, your array of 14 squaremeters is not going to power the house as well as a
functioning grid can, but if the government imposes powercuts in your area you
can
tighten your belt up, turn off non-essential power consumption, and use solar
power
for keeping essential domestic appliances (such as refrigerators) running.

I think a lot of people does not know what they are installing when they place
solar.
Most installers don't really do the numbers. They give you an estimation of how
much
power they are gonna give you, but don't care for knowing how much power you
actually
do need, which ends up meaning they don't install power enough. Most often they
install a kit they have in the warehouse and they have been wanting to get rid
of for
a year.

If it wasn't as noisy and it required less maintenance, people would have more
wind at
home.

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