solar power for your house

[mauve66]

I looked into it a couple months ago and with some tweaking I was able to figure out a configuration that was net positive in 15 years.  Not compelling enough for me yet- when I can break even in 5 I'm on it

assuming you had no other costs incurred over that 15 years

[elacruze]

One of the biggest electricity users in a home is an electric water heater. I have plans to run the hot water tank inlet through black pipe on the roof, to pre-heat the water so the tank doesn't work as hard.

[derailed]

A lot depends on the type of setup you have. If you can tie wind into it somehow you can really get ahead quickly. My father has a good size house in Colorado that has been off the grid with wind and solar for the last 20 years. Its an amazing setup and has been pretty much trouble free for him. I think his initial investment was around $20k. Things have come a long way since he put his in also.

[Charger RT]

I did solar hot water 3.5 years ago and would do it again in a heart beat. I have an 80 gallon hot water heater that can get the water as hot as 180 degrees. It has a mixing valve on it so if the water coming out is over the 130 degrees I have it set at it mixes cold water in so that the tap only pours 130. That makes the amount much more then 80 gallons. 6 of us can all take showers after sun set and still wash dishes in the morning. I do need the back up a few days in the winter but the system has paid for itself already with savings and tax incentives and state rebates.

I plan on doing an electrical system soon. Find out your state laws. Most states are net metering. Florida a few years ago passed similar laws but don't call it net metering. This info is all on the internet. And if its not email the law makers in your state.

When I do my grid tie system I plan to go for an inverter that can handle more panels then I buy at that time and then as I can afford more panels add more. Even if it is just one at a time. Also most states allow wind power in it as well. Consider it too it works after dark. Also a working solar system that makes your utilities cost less then your neighbors house makes your house worth more.
Tim

[mauve66]

talked to the HOA for the one we have an offer on and its not gonna happen unless i can keep them on the ground behind a fence out of sight and absolutely NO for a wind turbine

[Charger RT]

I would look elsewhere and learn your states laws on the subject. I could not live with an HOA. Enough of our fredoms are being taking away daily and then to allow my neighbors to take more of them. No thanks.
Tim

[mauve66]

when the housing boom started out here the city couldn't keep up with it so they required 98% of the builders to have HOA's for the communities to keep the costs covered down the road for sidewalks/streets/light poles/greenbelts (extra trees, bushes, etc)
the way it stands now, if you want to live in a decent neighborhood out here then your gonna have a HOA, back in rural MO where the rest of my family is they've never even heard the term HOA

[b5blue]

Right, I meant it in my post. The collective stupidity of a HOA/condo.ass. can be the the most arbitrary contrite and pointless governing body known to man. I've seen it happen so many times, they abuse their power to the point of dictating the color of you drapery. (true story, a condo ass. actually tried to force owners so the "widows would look uniform in external appearance") 

[bull]

I just noticed that Northern Tool has a pretty good alternative energy section.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_alternative-renewable-energy?seeAll=1&cm_sp=See%20All%20Links-_-Categories-_-Alternative + Renewable Energy