[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: [BULK] Re: FW: Cheap Solar Cells are Here

[Jefro]

We are in line behind Lawrence, although we have a year to think about 
it first.  We are planning a grid intertie with a generator as backup (I 
work from home full-time).

If you are talking about an actual battery-based uninterruptible power 
supply (UPS), I would suggest researching systems before committing.  A 
good UPS that can run your computer for 1/2 hour will cost in the 
neighborhood of $80.  These are built to give you time to shut down your 
computer safely and leave it shut down until the power flow starts back 
up.  They are *not* a viable solution for backup power.  You definitely 
want one, but not for backup power, whether you feed it with solar 
panels or grid power.

Also... a UPS (or battery bank) capable of powering a freezer for any 
length of time will cost many thousands of bucks.  If you are off-grid 
you would be much better served by buying a propane freezer, or a diesel 
generator running biodiesel.

Lawrence---An intertie is by far the best system to add panels 
piecemeal.  If you are "growing into" a grid intertie, what are you 
doing for power in the meantime? 

One more note for Californians and anyone else planning a system in a 
state that offers rebates---you usually only get the rebate on the first 
set of panels, which makes it economically much more valuable to save up 
and buy a bunch of panels at once.

Lawrence Lile wrote:
> George, 
>
> When you decide on a brand of solar panel, let us know.  I am right in
> line behind you. Don't know much about brands, efficiencies, life
> expectancy and so on.   I'm thinking about adding panels one by one as I
> can pay cash for them, until I have a substantial system.  
>
> Goal 1 might be an uninterruptible power supply for computers, freezer,
> and a couple of lighting circuits.  Goal 2 would be to grow into a
> grid-tie system probably.  
>
> --Lawrence 
>
>   
>