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Originally Posted by Zythryn
Sweet!
Unfortunately I am a klutz when it comes to mechanical or electrical tinkering of any sort.
I do have a solar array set up though which I would be happy to contribute to any data gathering that would be useful.
You can see the overview of the performance at Zythryn's solar array overview
It is an 8.7Kw system in Minnesota (about 43 degrees N Latitude) |
Wow! That's a cool graphic. Can we see the setup from GoogleEarth?
More details man...pleeeeeease.
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Originally Posted by Alexxannder
been talking about this for a couple of years now. My room is already pretty green, its fully underground, so its naturally climate-controlled, i use led lighting to keep the power consumption low to begin with.
Problem i have with a PV cells are thus:
90% are made in China, and Sulfuric acid used in their making is dumped into the rivers, which in turn means that my bying of a pv cell is causing more damange then my use of it redeems.
Here in the north east, we dont have enough sun light to use a single cell very economically, so i am yet to get a few (and i just saw a pv decently cheap, i just need an inverter for it), and create a rotating mount for reflectors for it, to make use of more solar power then the thing normally gets. though i think i have a neat idea, let me draw it out, and post it here, so you can have an idea of what my idea is for this mount . |
Roger. Firstly, if the grid goes down & you don't have your own juice, then low consumption is moot.
In keeping with Obamas plan to create green jobs in the US, shop for components manufactured in the US. Yes there are pollution costs for all such production, but at least we in the US have tougher standards than in China and we can keep people employed. [A German company just opened a new photovoltaic panel factory across the Columbia River from me in Portland area*. SolarWorld I think it's called. Will get some details presently.
Photovoltaic panels produce juice even in cloudy conditions and for an in-home use as I envision, a moving mount is impracticle & unnecessary.
My parts are all separate, but I think a cabinet of some kind is needed. Designers can get all designy on the exterior of this new piece of 21st century 'furniture'.
My panel is 1
watt 1 amp, 15 watt and 1 foot wide & 3 feet long. I paid $130 for it about 4 years ago.
I found a similar panel online for $27! What!!??? Power Up BSP1-12 1W 12V Solar Panel - 1 to 50 Watt Solar Panels @ AltE
Last time I checked at GIJoes where I bought mine, they were still $150! Is the promise of lower prices really here? Comperable panel I found online for $100:
Northern Industrial High Wattage Solar Panels — 15 Watt | Amorphus Solar Panels | Northern Tool + Equipment
My battery is 100 amp hours and I think I paid about $180 for it. Here's something close in specs: >>
12 V 92 AH AGM 8A27 | Batterystuff.com
My inverter is 800 watts and I paid ~ $90. (I recommend at least 1200 Watt in retrospect.
) Here's something comperable to mine & selling for $70.
Aims 800 Watt Power Inverter pwrin800w
I'm running my TV, radio, desk light, & battery chargers; I may have to cut back my TV viewing.
So I'm thinking a furniture like cabinet & panel(s) in the window.
*
Solarworld comes to Hillsboro - Portland Business Journal:
Quote:
Solarworld AG, a German company that acquired a factory in Hillsboro, announced Thursday plans to invest $397 million to double its solar-cell and wafer production by 2010 and add 1,000 new jobs.
Solarworld will move current production facilities from Vancouver to Hillsboro. The Vancouver plant, which makes silicon ingots used to build solar wafers and employs 100, will be closed. Employees in Vancouver will be offered jobs at the new facility.
Frank Asbeck, chairman and CEO, said the Hillsboro factory would be the largest solar-wafer and cell factory in the United States.
Production is expected to begin this summer.
By the end of 2009, the Hillsboro factory will be able to produce solar silicon wafers and solar cells capable of generating 500 megawatts of electricity per year, Asbeck said.
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