The Texas BBQ Forum

Does anyone have any experience with solar panels?

A guy at work was talking about building some for his house and got me interested. I did some surfing and found several websites along the lines of this one. Just wondering how legit they are?

http://www.greendiyenergy.com/indexcd.php

I have some childhood experience burning ants with a magnifying glass... Is that similar?

The panels are only part of it. Add batteries and inverters. The solar system on the cabin I have for rent cost over 25K. If you're like Colorado, Excel Energy will rebate a good chunk of the cost of a solar system. A cost that is born by everyone else who is a customer (pass through). I'd rather have a personal reactor. Good enough for the Navy, good enough for me.

DATsBBQ wrote:The panels are only part of it. Add batteries and inverters. The solar system on the cabin I have for rent cost over 25K. If you're like Colorado, Excel Energy will rebate a good chunk of the cost of a solar system. A cost that is born by everyone else who is a customer (pass through). I'd rather have a personal reactor. Good enough for the Navy, good enough for me.

Sounds like something a greasy salty old machinist mate might say.

I don't know about Tx, but down here the home built panels won't pass building codes. Anything bigger than enough to run a light in a shed is a no-no. Water heaters are run on solar thermal panels.
Here's a good read about solar panels.....

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-DIY-Solar ... id=2415493

I have 500 watts solar panels at texas home laying flat on the roof and the greatest output that I have seen is 18 amps in June in MN when the sun us directly over head. Our solar panel texas system is 12vdc. 500 watts should be about 40 amps at 12vdc. It just doesn't happen. Replaced the controller with a Flex Charge controller. Will see what kind of rate we get this summer.

Depends on what you are looking for those solar panels to do. The cost is often prohibitive compared to the actual production you will get out of your panels. Texas allows solar panels and there is a Federal Tax credit available on such technology, I don't know if it will apply to home made ones though.

This was the power source for a cabin I managed back in Colorado. 78 watt panels, 16 of them. 8 Super dupper batteries configured at 48 VDC, 2 inverters. Every thing in the cabin ran on 120VAC. If memory serves, on a good day in June it would grab more than 4KW out of the sky, but in December you'd be lucky to get a 500 watts. Renters were advised about phantom loads. All that stuff you have plugged in (TVs, sat boxes, stereo, computers) aren't totally off unless you pull the plug from the outlet. A frugal person could survive well enough. Tenants with blow combs had a tough time.

Dave, that egg of yours sure looks a bit like a homemade reactor...you cooking something in there besides brisket?

DATsBBQ wrote:This was the power source for a cabin I managed back in Colorado. 78 watt solar panels, 16 of them. 8 Super dupper batteries configured at 48 VDC, 2 inverters. Every thing in the cabin ran on 120VAC. If memory serves, on a good day in June it would grab more than 4KW out of the sky, but in December you'd be lucky to get a 500 watts. Renters were advised about phantom loads. All that stuff you have plugged in (TVs, sat boxes, stereo, computers) aren't totally off unless you pull the plug from the outlet. A frugal person could survive well enough. Tenants with blow combs had a tough time.

Really not huge fan of these panels.. It is only effective in sunny days and they are very expensive too..

BryanCarson wrote:

DATsBBQ wrote:This was the power source for a cabin I managed back in Colorado. 78 watt solar panels, 16 of them. 8 Super dupper batteries configured at 48 VDC, 2 inverters. Every thing in the cabin ran on 120VAC. If memory serves, on a good day in June it would grab more than 4KW out of the sky, but in December you'd be lucky to get a 500 watts. Renters were advised about phantom loads. All that stuff you have plugged in (TVs, sat boxes, stereo, computers) aren't totally off unless you pull the plug from the outlet. A frugal person could survive well enough. Tenants with blow combs had a tough time.

Really not huge fan of these panels.. It is only effective in sunny days and they are very expensive too..

Sorry to reply late.. if you see current scenario, solar panel really expensive and its average cost of solar panel is $3.14 per watt. That means that the total cost for a 10kW solar system would be $21,980 after the 30% Federal ITC discount..
Referenve URL https://news.energysage.com/residential-solar-panels-for-home/

HaroldHart wrote:

BryanCarson wrote:

DATsBBQ wrote:This was the power source for a cabin I managed back in Colorado. 78 watt solar panels, 16 of them. 8 Super dupper batteries configured at 48 VDC, 2 inverters. Every thing in the cabin ran on 120VAC. If memory serves, on a good day in June it would grab more than 4KW out of the sky, but in December you'd be lucky to get a 500 watts. Renters were advised about phantom loads. All that stuff you have plugged in (TVs, sat boxes, stereo, computers) aren't totally off unless you pull the plug from the outlet. A frugal person could survive well enough. Tenants with blow combs had a tough time.

Really not huge fan of these panels.. It is only effective in sunny days and they are very expensive too..

Sorry to reply late.. if you see current scenario, solar panel really expensive and its average cost of solar panel is $3.14 per watt. That means that the total cost for a 10kW solar system would be $21,980 after the 30% Federal ITC discount..
Referenve URL https://news.energysage.com/residential-solar-panels-for-home/

Late? Nah, just 6 1/2 years. Please do not come to Lufkin, Tx and apply for an Ambulance Driver position.

Harold, do not be discouraged from participating certainly, just remember it's Throwback Thursdays not Farback Fridays, LOL.

More to the point, I wish I could find a real DIY package panel system of small size for sale at a reasonable price. I've been wanting to build a hothouse for vegetables year round, and would like enough just run a small heater to maintain about 65 degrees in the winter for 'maters and other stuff. Anybody know anything, sing out.

Have you checked out the Tesla's roofing system. Doesn't look like the panels but like shingles or Spanish tiles. Fairly impressive for sure. Maybe by the time I'd ready to do a tear off

Rambo wrote:

HaroldHart wrote:

BryanCarson wrote:

DATsBBQ wrote:This was the power source for a cabin I managed back in Colorado. 78 watt solar panels, 16 of them. 8 Super dupper batteries configured at 48 VDC, 2 inverters. Every thing in the cabin ran on 120VAC. If memory serves, on a good day in June it would grab more than 4KW out of the sky, but in December you'd be lucky to get a 500 watts. Renters were advised about phantom loads. All that stuff you have plugged in (TVs, sat boxes, stereo, computers) aren't totally off unless you pull the plug from the outlet. A frugal person could survive well enough. Tenants with blow combs had a tough time.

Really not huge fan of these panels.. It is only effective in sunny days and they are very expensive too..

Sorry to reply late.. if you see current scenario, solar panel really expensive and its average cost of solar panel is $3.14 per watt. That means that the total cost for a 10kW solar system would be $21,980 after the 30% Federal ITC discount..
Referenve URL https://news.energysage.com/residential-solar-panels-for-home/

Late? Nah, just 6 1/2 years. Please do not come to Lufkin, Tx and apply for an Ambulance Driver position.

As an East Texan, I doubt you have to worry about people moving to Lufkin for anything.