Okay we know they can’t turn the sun off in reality, but do you really doubt that a sun tax is on the horizon?

For anyone interested in a DIY how to that is basic and understandable try this video.  Kinda small for my needs but this does cover solar power, where he bought his kit and how much.  Not crazy about the Battery enclosure. I would have preferred that it was vented, even adding a 12 volt fan to force the venting.  But that is just me being overly cautious.  Still a interesting how to video.  Might give someone a few ideas.

 

 

Edited October 2, 20196 yr by Woodbutcherbynight

It's missing only one thing that I must have missed.  It needs tie down strips for wind storms.  And, those batteries can go about every year and cost about $200 each.  But, it is great to see that folks are going that way.  The more users, the more the technology can be developed.  Talked to a friend the other night who has a battery powered Mercedes.  He said, he gets about 100 miles per charge and it takes about 4 hours to charge it.  But, it is a quiet as a refrigerator running.  Of course, the drive train is made by Tesla.  

 

I really did like the ideas about adding the shelves.  Really super ideas.  

It is nice, but consider this.  No insulation, yet it is a workshop.  So as long as weather is friendly all is good.  Let it get hot, or cold and you are NOT so good.

 

Now I have A/C in my shop, and it works and works well.  Just don't generally use it.  Heat now that is something different.  While winters here in Georgia where I live are mild compared to up north.  I still don't like 40F to work in.  Solar probably would not supply enough juice to run anything more than a small heater.  But other options do exist.  

Nice . I do think the gutter lights are overkill. Wonder if these things would handle 220.

13 minutes ago, Gerald said:

I do think the gutter lights are overkill.

I did an experiment with 12 volt strip lights and temp mounted under the gutter.  Light was okay to walk around and not trip but nothing spectacular.  Maintenance wise you have to design something that can be easily removed, plus the power source also has to be easy to disconnect.  Just couldn't get it to look nice and blend in with the existing house.  

 

Wall wart transformers are okay for small stuff but for strings of lights and such you really want a air cooled transformer.  This also has to go somewhere, and be wired in.  

Why use batteries at all.  Ask your utility if they have net metering if they do then go for that and forget the batteries.  

Also I just this past summer worked with a solar company to add solar to the house and it is a 9KWH for about 18K but with the 20 year loan it is must more reasonable than what my utility charged me for power.

Then we make up the difference and will have it paid off in 10 years.

But you must have the correct roof line with southern exposure.

 

On 9/27/2019 at 11:59 PM, Artie said:

Okay we know they can’t turn the sun off in reality, but do you really doubt that a sun tax is on the horizon?

Ohio is going to start charging me an extra $100 a year for our Hybrid Prius.

 

As I recall from years ago, when you buy the electricity from the power supplier, you pay retail, when your generator of whatever type feeds back into the system, they buy at wholesale.

The only problem with having batteries is they will need to be replaced every five years or less. I used to replace the batteries in our UPS systems at work every five years and often a few here and there between three to five years. Now I am talking a lot larger scale than what you would have in a home. We had three UPS units with eighty batteries in each unit at $400 to $500 per battery.

2 hours ago, RustyFN said:

The only problem with having batteries is they will need to be replaced every five years or less.

Exactly making the cost effective side of this equation questionable at best for a homeowner.