ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FORUM - etc.

Solar => Solar energy => Topic started by: CG on January 03, 2022, 01:55:32 pm

Title: Home solar power
Post by: CG on January 03, 2022, 01:55:32 pm
I keep getting tempted to purchase some solar panels.

I also keep standing back and remembering that, they are practically useless without the additional purchase of controllers and batteries and heavy duty inverters.
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: Caleb on January 03, 2022, 03:52:03 pm
I heard on the radio (or maybe on Facebook) that Michigan is going to "net metering" soon.
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: CG on January 03, 2022, 04:01:39 pm
Hmmm
So that means generate the power when you can and send it to the grid, then use it from the grid later essentially free?
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: Caleb on January 03, 2022, 04:56:09 pm
I think it means push excess power you make onto the grid at $0.03 per kWh and buy it from the grid when you need it for $0.14 per kWh.  Then the power company gets to build more gas fired peaking plants to serve as energy storage.  I just know our rates will go up somewhere in the change.
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: CG on January 03, 2022, 05:10:44 pm
So the power company gets more capacity without having to build a new plant and the homeowner makes all the capital investment. Such a deal, for the utility..
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: CG on January 06, 2022, 07:24:54 am
Good video on what to expect.

https://youtu.be/5auBhlrIICo
Title: Re: Home solar power
Post by: CG on January 10, 2022, 07:02:48 pm
Actually the battery storage system makes sense.
Charge up the battery during times when power is cheap, night time?, Then use it during the day. It would lower your power costs for the whole year and be there during outages.
Of course gravity storage can do the same and has the added benefit of not loosing capacity over time like batteries do.