MJLorton Solar Power and Electronic Measurement Equipment Forum
Solar Power => Solar Power => Topic started by: kickoff3pm on October 31, 2013, 04:31:00 PM
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Hi, found your videos on UT, great thanks.
I wanted to ask some questions that may seem stupid but here goes.
I'm in the process of buying a detached house. When complete I'm going to renovate the house and live in it for about a year before either selling it or renting it out. I've always been interested in alternative energy but never been in a position till now to concider doing anything. This house has a large slopping roof and the sun rises at the front and follows right over the back where the slop is. Here are the questions I have, it would great to get an idea of if I'm wasting my time.
1. I saw on a goverment website that it might take 25 years to recover the cost of installed solar panels. The estimate for the size of roof I will have was around £25,000. I'm thinking that if you get a company to install them but coud I do it myself a lot cheaper. Solar seem very popular for the DIY in the States.
2. Could I build a system that not only does all my power needs but also earn my money ?
3. If I could build such a system and I end up renting my house out would I be able to meter the use and change the person renting for the power they use ?
4. Are the any other issues I need to concider.
If these question do turn out to be stupid perhaps they'll at least create some debate :-)
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Thanks for the post.
1. I saw on a goverment website that it might take 25 years to recover the cost of installed solar panels. The estimate for the size of roof I will have was around £25,000. I'm thinking that if you get a company to install them but coud I do it myself a lot cheaper. Solar seem very popular for the DIY in the States.
> The payback period has reduced a fair bit...another video I hope to do soonish...but generally less than 10 years now depending on where you live and the type of system. I would get a professional company to install unless you are very comfortable and experienced working with household mains and high voltage DC...can be very dangerous. Also, if you want to see a return and not just experiment just be aware that a system not installed correctly could have high losses...and fail before payback.
2. Could I build a system that not only does all my power needs but also earn my money ?
> Yes.
3. If I could build such a system and I end up renting my house out would I be able to meter the use and change the person renting for the power they use ?
> Yes....although I'm not sure if there are any local laws that restrict the sale of generated electricity...
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Thanks for your replies they help a great deal.
I've taken the next step to securing this house so this information has helped a lot. When I get further down the road and have ownership I've certainly investigate the process with a professional company. Apart from the large slopping roof the plot also has a massive long double garage with flat roofs so perhaps I could use those too.
If it's ok I'll pop back help for more advice and perhaps if I get the project going post some images and further info that might helps others.
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Thanks for your replies they help a great deal.
I've taken the next step to securing this house so this information has helped a lot. When I get further down the road and have ownership I've certainly investigate the process with a professional company. Apart from the large slopping roof the plot also has a massive long double garage with flat roofs so perhaps I could use those too.
If it's ok I'll pop back help for more advice and perhaps if I get the project going post some images and further info that might helps others.
Excellent, look forward to seeing and hearing how it develops.