Saving Energy

[Paul B]

Well it has been over a year since I installed solar panels on my roof and a 95% efficient condensing gas boiler.
I am happy to say that so far I have saved $3,320 this year in energy.
The solar panels have dropped in price by about half since then but with the rebates I received I still got them cheaper than I would today.
The super efficient boiler cost me less than $1,000 a year in gas and that is for heating 3 zones, hot water for two families and cooking.
My old oil burner used to cost me about $3,500.00 a year and that was just for heat.
This boiler paid for itself in one winter because I received $1,300.00 back in rebates and more in taxes.
(I always do all the work myself)
According to the solar readout I also prevented more than 9,000 tons of co2 from entering the atmosphere.
Today it is very sunny and I am generating almost 3,000 watts. My tank only uses about 650 watts.
The money I saved in utilities will buy enough boat gas to take some nice long trips.

 

[johnny roastbeef]

OK, so what did they cost you?

 

[Paul B]

The panels cost me $23,000.00 of which I got back $14,000.00 in rebates and $7,00.00 in taxes. So it cost me about $2,000. I think it was closer to three though. The Panels save me $1,320.00 a year or $110.00 a month.

 

[albano]

Is your roof facing south?, just wondering if I'd have to angle the panels. Looks like a nice job, (which seems to be your style) and WELL WORTH the investment!



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[Paul B]

Your roof must face south and you are not legally allowed to angle them. The building codes are very strict for the installation.
They count as the weight of one roof. I had two layers of shingles on my roof so I had to rip them off and only install one. I completed the entire system myself in 4 days. And I am 61 years old.

 

[Awibrandy]

Paul, I don't think I understand! I'm thinking that if one's roof does not face south then it would not be worth installing solar panels?

 

[albano]

Your roof must face south and you are not legally allowed to angle them. The building codes are very strict for the installation.
... And I am 61 years old.

I'll have to ask some of my contractor friends, if the code is the same here in Westchester...AND you only have me by a couple years! (I guess that explains why you set-up your salt tank, a year before mine!)



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[Paul B]

Awilda, the sun is always on the south side of your house if you live in the northern hemisphere. If we lived in Australia our roof would have to face north for it to work.
You need sun to strike the panels for them to generate power. The farther away from south your roof faces, the less electricity it will generate.
Awilda, don't forget also , I was an electrician for 40 years

 

[gholtmeyer]

Who did you get the rebates from? and the taxes, was that state of fed? what brand of panels? I am buying new house and back room faces south so that would be perfect for me and my family. Looking for info to do the same.

 

[Killerdrgn]

Awilda, the sun is always on the south side of your house if you live in the northern hemisphere. If we lived in Australia our roof would have to face north for it to work.
You need sun to strike the panels for them to generate power. The farther away from south your roof faces, the less electricity it will generate.
Awilda, don't forget also , I was an electrician for 40 years

Wait what if the slopes of your house is east-west and not north-south?

 

[albano]

Wait what if the slopes of your house is east-west and not north-south?

NOW, you see what I'm talking about!

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I live in a split level- there is the southern most section of roof over the second floor that is facing south- can you use that or are there zoning policies that they have to be on a roof over the first floor? I dont see why there would but am just wondering- and whats the minimum number of panels you can install for it to be worthwhile and produce a fair amount of energy? I ask this because the section of roof that faces south is rather large but may not have enough square footage to accommodate the required number of photovoltaic panels.

 

[Paul B]

If your house does not face south, you can not put on Solar.
It must face the sun.
You get the rebates from the electric company and you get the tax return from the federal government.
My panels are American made from "Sharp"
Google NPCP

 

[Paul B]

The more panels you install, the better.
I have 22 panels that are on two circuits. 24 panels or more would be better because I have 11 on a circuit and it is hard to explain but 12 on a circuit are better. 11 just about puts out enough voltage to turn on the inverter on certain days and is about the minimum you could do.
You also need to install them in even numbers, you can't install 17.
You can install them on different sections of house but the sections must be facing exactly the same direction. There can also be no trees shading any part ofthe roof or it will severly limit the energy production as the panels are in serier they all need to work exactly the same.

 

[gholtmeyer]

What size are the panels? Whats the L x W of your configuration? What space inside of the house is needed the batteries, etc.?

 

[Paul B]

The panels are a little smaller than 3'X5' and the inside inverter is about 18"X18" there are no batteries and the inverter can be installed outside.
I dont remember the size of my roof but I think it is about 36' X15'
That gives me room for 22 panels. You need 18" all around to walk.