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solar panel problems
[Deleted User]
Posts: 0
When you need it the MOST, you get it the LEAST. And when you need it the LEAST, you get it the MOST.
Balancing those two totally opposite scenarios is exactly why solar thermal doesn't really make a whole lot of sense as it pertains to active solar space heating applications.
Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of solar thermal, but on a more limited basis for residential (read small DHW preheat system that gets utilized 100%) and for those thermal applications that are pretty much continuous in nature (diaper laundering facilities, laundromats, and manufacturing facilities with continuous high demands for hot water). In those scenarios, solar thermal makes good sense. There is never a time when the panels are receiving energy that is not being used.
Now, what REALLY makes sense as it pertains to solar utilization is solar electric with the ability to sell excess generation capacity back into the grid, spinning your meter backwards, saving you LOTS of money, and letting other people use your excess capacity.
I realize that not all states are set up like Colorado is. The utilities here MUST buy back your excess production, albeit at wholesale rates, it is still much better than having an investment on the roof (or ground in your case) that is stagnating, doing nothing, and not utlizing the energy falling on its face.
And also understand, that the seasonal energy storage system (EarthStorage) that I have on my own system will NOT be the panacea to solar thermal utilization. It won't work for everybody, every where.
Long term thermal storage is the answer, and scientist have been persuing that goal every since solar thermal became a reality (1850's) to no avail.
Hang in there. The sun WILL shine, and then you will be coming back with a different problem, "Is there anything I can do with all this excess solar energy I am receiving that is tearing up my fluids and insulation??"
Such is the nature of Nature...
ME
Balancing those two totally opposite scenarios is exactly why solar thermal doesn't really make a whole lot of sense as it pertains to active solar space heating applications.
Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of solar thermal, but on a more limited basis for residential (read small DHW preheat system that gets utilized 100%) and for those thermal applications that are pretty much continuous in nature (diaper laundering facilities, laundromats, and manufacturing facilities with continuous high demands for hot water). In those scenarios, solar thermal makes good sense. There is never a time when the panels are receiving energy that is not being used.
Now, what REALLY makes sense as it pertains to solar utilization is solar electric with the ability to sell excess generation capacity back into the grid, spinning your meter backwards, saving you LOTS of money, and letting other people use your excess capacity.
I realize that not all states are set up like Colorado is. The utilities here MUST buy back your excess production, albeit at wholesale rates, it is still much better than having an investment on the roof (or ground in your case) that is stagnating, doing nothing, and not utlizing the energy falling on its face.
And also understand, that the seasonal energy storage system (EarthStorage) that I have on my own system will NOT be the panacea to solar thermal utilization. It won't work for everybody, every where.
Long term thermal storage is the answer, and scientist have been persuing that goal every since solar thermal became a reality (1850's) to no avail.
Hang in there. The sun WILL shine, and then you will be coming back with a different problem, "Is there anything I can do with all this excess solar energy I am receiving that is tearing up my fluids and insulation??"
Such is the nature of Nature...
ME
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Comments
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Solar panel problems/.
I guess it is not really a panel problem. It is a sun problem. For some reason the sun won't shine. smiles.. does anyone know of a way to keep the clouds parted? besides praying extra hard at night before bedtime!
When the sun does shine Those six panels will really gather some BTUs.I guess that is the downfall of free energy.
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% of sunshine
OH YaH. Mark E gets 80% sunshine in Colorado (spent 2 years at Ft. Carson, loved the climate) here in NH we get a whoping 56% sunshine, so where are you ?0 -
making a funny?
"""""Now, what REALLY makes sense as it pertains to solar utilization is solar electric with the ability to sell excess generation capacity back into the grid, spinning your meter backwards, saving you LOTS of money, and letting other people use your excess capacity."""""
seems to me that with the cost of PV systems compared to the couple cents per kilowatthour you sell, oversizing or selling back doesn't sound right to me. you'd be better ahead to downsize and stay off the grid.
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these are water
I am in Indiana. Yeah I was making a funny. Or atleast trying to., These are hot water panels feedinga 600 gallon storage tank. for aiding my solar concrete floor heat system0 -
'Tis a privelidge...
to live in Colorado...:-)
ME0 -
NO funny intended...
and I didn't imply anywhere in my post that oversizing was recommended. In fact, I recommended the opposite as it pertains to solar thermal for residential DHW. In order to have 100% utilization of what falls on the face of the panel, the array will need to be SMALL, because even under the best case scenario, you will have a solar availability of around 150% during the peak insolation periods (June).
As for sizing the PV system to carry only your loads, if you've never lived with an off grid system, you have no idea what energy conservation is all about. You think about EVERY watt, and how it is used, and how waste can be avoided.
Solar PV is NOT an inexpensive proposition. And the economics pretty much suck without either some sort of subsidy, or incentive (read mega bucks to run line to house to allow participation of on grid electricity), so it makes perfect sense to ME to sell any excess back to the grid.
Think about it, the peak electrical loads are during the summer months, primarily for AC operation. When is solar electricity readily available? During the summer months.
Loads paralleled to availability, unlike heating demands.
You've been hanging around here long enough to know that I don't advocate oversizing ANYTHING mechanical. It's a waste.
Sorry you misunderstood my post.
ME
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off the grid
""""As for sizing the PV system to carry only your loads, if you've never lived with an off grid system, you have no idea what energy conservation is all about.""""
funny you say that, I've been off the grid for over 3 yrs. zero utilites, I can account for every drop of water and every ounce of waste!
but its looks like 1,000 watts of PV run about $4,000.00, Real Goods catalog. so if you had 10 hours(opps yrs )of sun and were paid 10 cents per kilowatthr, that'd be a dollar a day?
edit: just seems to me if you've designed well, you won't have much to sell back? thus why be connected in the first place? that cosr money too!
so i don;t really see the use of being tied to the grid to sell what you don;t use, keep it in the batteries.0 -
Solar
I have always felt that solar energy is better utilized to generate chilled water via absorption refrigeration. Then you get the heat you need when there is an abundance of it.
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Eric,
Where are you in Indiana? I am in SW Indiana - Evansville. I work for a wholesaler and I am currently working on putting something together for a contractors pole-barn radiant system with a 600-gallon storage tank.
Can you give me any pointers? Anything you would do differently?
thanks for any input.0 -
when the sun is out
is your system heating your house O.K.? Bob Gagnon
To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.0 -
excess?
"""ability to sell excess generation capacity back into the grid, spinning your meter backwards, saving you LOTS of money, and letting other people use your excess capacity.""""
having excess capacity, isn't that the same as oversizing?
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Heating the house perfectly.
Yesterday the sun shined, and the day before. and again today.. Monday my tank temp was pulled down to 85 degrees. The sun brought it up Monday to 112, heated monday night tank went down to maybe 100, and sun again brought it up.to 116. Today the sun is a shining bright.had ice on the pond this morning.I will post my final tank temps for today.
My house generally only calls for heat furing the early morning hours.
I like to be warm.. My office is 80 degrees. hey it is free heat. Might as well use it.
Thanks Bob for the chat on the phone a few months back.
I think if I were to ever set up panels again. I would not line them due east to west. I would set the west side slightly north of due east west. Cause late afternoon the sun is almost to far west basically
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How many panels are you thinking?
I have six 3x13 panels. and it does an adequate job.I feel the storage tank is as efficient as you are going to do.
www.pbase.com/ericjeeper_solar0 -
How many panels are you thinking?
I have six 3x13 panels. and it does an adequate job.I feel the storage tank is as efficient as you are going to do.
www.pbase.com/ericjeeper_solar0 -
heating with solar
Eric, I'm glad to hear it is working so well. Isn't your house insulated with foam? A lot of people say we can't heat with solar, but I think you might only need a very well insulated house to make solar heating successful.
Thanks for going solar, Bob Gagnon
To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.0 -
No no foam
But my walls are 7 inches of blown cellulose and 1/4 inch of blue board,., and 15 p;us inches of blown cellulose in the attic
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