Tweet Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 I thought I would open up an old chesnut on alternative energy sources. Is it worth the cost of installing Photovoltaic solar panels on one's roof as an alternative to a mains connected supply ? This of course would include a battery bank and inverter to make it practical . Has anyone had experience with such installations ? I feel in the years to come this may finally become cost effective,and future jobs could been found in this direction as coal fire generation progressively declines, albiet slowly. As there is a general concensus of opinion amongst most enviromental scientists, that if nothing is substantially done towards technological change over the next 25 years in an alternative means of power generation and transport, then civilization and the enviroment as we know it will be irrepairablely damaged. Any ideas ? C.M
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 I thought I would open up an old chesnut on alternative energy sources.Is it worth the cost of installing Photovoltaic solar panels on one's roof as an alternative to a mains connected supply ? This of course would include a battery bank and inverter to make it practical . Has anyone had experience with such installations ? I feel in the years to come this may finally become cost effective,and future jobs could been found in this direction as coal fire generation progressively declines, albiet slowly. As there is a general concensus of opinion amongst most enviromental scientists that if nothing is substantially done towards technological change over the next 25 years in alternative means in power generation and transport, then civilization and the enviroment as we know it will be irrepairablely damaged. Any ideas ? C.M <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Noooo! Unfortunately - unless you live "in the bush" (or maybe in more enlightened states than WA). If you want to get Santa really then talk about the massive price-gouging that the cartels members of this "industry" indulge in. And dont get me started on the %#%$ rebates ... whenever a sensible rebate is introduced, the bastards simply jack up the price by an equivalent amount! Cheers, 1 Santa!
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 NB: The mains-interactive units are a better prospect, esp. with the powerco buying excess, since the inverter requirement is simpler, however with mains electricity (comparively) cheap as chips, there's little incentive...
Tweet Posted May 10, 2005 Author Posted May 10, 2005 Just let it out Santa ,both barrels. C.M We need simtulation.
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 Just let it out Santa ,both barrels.C.M <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If only my electorate had a Harradine! I'd being able to get 64W panels for $50 apiece, 4kW inverters for $1000, and 20kAH batteries for less than a grand... * ___________________________________ *IE: Given the wealth of pork-barrelling projects he got for the already lucky bastards of Northern Tassie!
laurie Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 This of course would include a battery bank and inverter to make it practical . C.M. Efficency losses would make it not practicial unless you have no other choice unlike panels for a hot water system cheers laurie
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 Steam from underground, like inn sa, that s the go. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not much around our neck of the woods - unless you're talking about going real deep! Sounds like a viable project for Canberra, though!
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 This of course would include a battery bank and inverter to make it practical . C.M. Efficency losses would make it not practicial unless you have no other choice unlike panels for a hot water system cheers laurie <{POST_SNAPBACK}> A system isn't practical because of the low cost of mains electricity and the over-priced renewable/solar gear. In terms of efficiency, while it obviously can't compare with vast steam turbines, its not actually that bad... you can easily tile a north-facing roof with amorphous panels, reducing the heat load in summer while you're at it. The inverters, while overpriced, aren't too bad, and if you look after the batteries they'll last a good while {though not anywhere near as long as I'd like}... that's why the grid interactive systems, while generally economically ridiculous are quite an efficient proposition.
Mantaray1503560001 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 NO , if you live in the city. It takes 20+ years to recover to cost of the panels , by then you have to replace them. Wind power has a better payback. The best payback is solar hot water , it saves the most.
Santa1503559644 Posted May 10, 2005 Posted May 10, 2005 NO , if you live in the city.It takes 20+ years to recover to cost of the panels , by then you have to replace them. Wind power has a better payback. The best payback is solar hot water , it saves the most. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The panels will probably last long enough to pay back ... its the batteries that die.... Unfortunately with wind ... well, unless you live on the coast...
Tweet Posted May 10, 2005 Author Posted May 10, 2005 Well they say it's all over and downhill enviromentally unless they get it right within the next 25 years. Knowing how politicians procrastinate ,we are *******. C.M.
Guest EZYHD Posted May 11, 2005 Posted May 11, 2005 I like the steam idea, we could import it from NZ they have lots to spare.
laurie Posted May 11, 2005 Posted May 11, 2005 Unfortunately with wind ... well, unless you live on the coast... Well....there's plenty of wind in ACT cheers laurie
hornblower Posted May 11, 2005 Posted May 11, 2005 And dont get me started on the %#%$ rebates ... whenever a sensible rebate is introduced, the bastards simply jack up the price by an equivalent amount!Cheers, 1 Santa! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I installed a water heating solar system about 30 years ago (being green in both senses of the word) and paid through the nose for it. At that time the electricity provider refused to connect the boost element to "off peak" as I was not using enough of their "power". The solar panels are now deteriorating to such an extent that they require replacement. However I am unable to qualify for the so called rebate because it is not a new installation and I have to pay inflated prices again. I just cannot win. Who would want to be "green" ? hornpipe
Mantaray1503560001 Posted May 11, 2005 Posted May 11, 2005 I installed a water heating solar system about 30 years ago (being green in both senses of the word) and paid through the nose for it. At that time the electricity provider refused to connect the boost element to "off peak" as I was not using enough of their "power". The solar panels are now deteriorating to such an extent that they require replacement. However I am unable to qualify for the so called rebate because it is not a new installation and I have to pay inflated prices again. I just cannot win. Who would want to be "green" ? hornpipe <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Put in a temp second hand non solar system and then claim. They wouldnt have any records, back 30 years. I still have working my original solar water panels , 26 yo , non mains pressure ,by the way if you have a water softener it extends all your panel and tank life apparently by double. I have seen many solar hart systems come and go , there are far less about than there were. The pump gave up recently , only 26yo. We have off peak water heating , with 3 kids still at home our annual water heating bill is $110 to $120 per year.
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