Successful Systems

Posted by Steve Harris on January 06, 2008, 10:57:55 AM

Thank you Gentlemen,
I have checked out all the links and bookmarked them for future reference. As my education continues with your help here is another question. In attempting to size a PV system I am using my present "not particularly efficient" home as a model. Using an average of 2000KWH per month in total energy consumption I used the formula as follows 2000x1000/30/24=2777 watts per hour average usage. Is this anywhere near correct? If so can I use this information to determine a system rating? Again thanks you all your help!

Posted by James Cormican on January 07, 2008, 01:36:13 PM

Re: Successful Systems (Reply #6)

that is not correct. there is no such thing as watts per hour. watts is already a rate.

2000kwh = 2,000,000 watt hours

2,000,000 watt hours / 30 days = 66,666 watt hours per day (66.6 kWh per day)

66,666 watt hours per day / 24 hours = 2777 watt hours per hour (this is not a useful calculation)

instead take 66,666 and divide by sun hours in your location
66,666 / 4 = 16,667 watts of solar capacity for 100% or close offsetting of your loads. that would cost around $85,000! so figure out what percentage you want to shoot for or what your budget is, and go from there. every dollar spent on efficiency is worth 5 in system costs. every watt hour you dont use is a watt hour you dont have to produce with relatively expensive renewable means.

james
Alt-E staff

AltE
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Posted by Steve Harris on January 08, 2008, 08:48:20 AM

Re: Successful Systems (Reply #7)

Thank You James!
As you can tell I'm not an electrician. I had asked one how to figure out what you just showed me and he couldn't. So I came up with that formula. Thanks to you I now have the correct one. I fully intend to build our new home with maximum efficiency in mind (ICF walls/GEO HVAC/Etc.)In addition we will have natural gas available. I believe I can easily cut the current usage in half. By your estimation that would require an 8.5KW Alt power system and an all PV would cost around $42,000 amortized over 15 yrs equals $354.00 per month which just happens to be less than the $400.00 we pay now. That being said, am I headed in the right direction? Thanks again!!

Steve

(42k/8.5KW=4.94 per watt. Is this too low?)

Posted by James Cormican on January 08, 2008, 10:25:52 AM

Re: Successful Systems (Reply #8)

that is about right. it may be better or worse, our market is very volatile. you can use the figure of about $10 per installed pv watt to estimate the installed cost of a system. of course this is not exact, but this is about where the market is right now. you can do a lot of the work yourself in many cases, but that may hinder your ability to get state rebates depending on what state you build in.

james
Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107 or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718 or +1.978.562.5854

Posted by Steve Harris on March 31, 2008, 08:24:33 PM

Re: Successful Systems (Reply #9)

I'm back! I have determined to look into building a wind component in my system and I was wondering if anyone has experience with constructing a DC generator using a recycled DC motor? Also has anyone ever tried to use the AC generator unit from a gas powered portable generator? I have one that the motor is shot but I'm pretty sure the genset is still good. I know it is a high torque unit but I was actually thinking of trying a squirrel cage turbine on my old RV. At hwy speed I think I can get it to turn ( I rescued a pretty big cage from a dumpster at a construction site. I'm sure it will increase drag but the thing drinks gas so bad now I doubt I'll notice the difference. So any any comments are appreciated even if you just want to tell me I'm crazy Wink

Thanks

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Successful Systems

Posted by Steve Harris on January 06, 2008, 10:57:55 AM

Posted by James Cormican on January 07, 2008, 01:36:13 PM

Posted by Steve Harris on January 08, 2008, 08:48:20 AM

Posted by James Cormican on January 08, 2008, 10:25:52 AM

Posted by Steve Harris on March 31, 2008, 08:24:33 PM

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