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

[Jefro]

I think an intertie system is far and away your best option.  I'm 
guessing the panels won't be producing much in ice storms.  :)  But 
then, you could also just leave the freezer off during such times, if it 
is located in the outdoor airspace.

Re noisy generators---I remember reading about a diesel generator 
recently that was built for quiet operation, with a muffler and such 
like a car.  I'll try to dig up the link.

I'm coming to this as a full-time telecommuter in the computer industry, 
rather than a builder. 

If you use a laptop rather than a desktop system, it would be possible 
to set up a UPS that would be able to recharge the laptop periodically 
over the course of a few days.  If you have to drive anywhere during 
that time, an even better option would be a car recharger.  This 
obviously won't work for desktop systems. 

There are a few things you can do to radically extend the time you get 
on a UPS with a desktop system.  One is to use an LCD screen (avg. 40 
watts) instead of a tank CRT (avg. 150 watts).  Another is to turn any 
laser printers OFF during the outage, as they eat over 1000 watts on 
startup, as compared to under 50 watts for an inkjet.  Laser printers 
shouldn't be plugged into UPS systems in any case. 

If there is interest, I can outline specs on low-power computer 
systems.  I have designed many such systems.  They also have the 
advantage of being much quieter in general than the average Dell desktop.

Amen on the payback period! 

Lawrence Lile wrote:
>  
>
>
> Not really talking about a real Uninterruptible Power Supply(UPS).  Just
> figuring that a local solar panel on my roof and an inverter in my
> garage would help ride through the periodic power outages due to ice
> storms or high winds in my area.  If I've got 1-2 days storage that
> ought to do the trick.  Just unplugging my most critical loads from the
> power company would save money and Carbon, and provide me with a
> reliability boost.  
>
> I'm not expecting this stuff to be cheap, or have a reasonable payback
> period.  What is the payback period on leather car seats or an extra
> minivan?  For less than the price of a spare car I could cover half my
> roof with solar collectors.  
>
> I'm not too keen on generators, even biodiesel ones, because of the
> noise.  Propane refrigeration is an option, although it doesn't help
> with the zero carbon goal.  What I'd really like to do is just go off
> the grid altogether, or sell juice back to those robbers.  
>
> --Lawrence
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jefro [mailto:jefro at jefro.net] 
> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5:37 PM
> To: Lawrence Lile
> Cc: geoedb at idiom.com; Greenbuilder list
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: [BULK] Re: FW: Cheap Solar Cells
> are Here
>
> 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
>>
>>   
>>   
>>     
>
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