helping the environment

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

A lot of you guys will remember I have spoken about having electrical solar panels installed, well we did and last week we had our first electric bill in for 2 months period , it was $1.90! we usually pay $150-$200 for the 2 months. I hope apart from us saving we are also helping the environment. This was only achieved by our Government paying nearly all the cost of installation for us and I hope our little step will eventually help every one get a cleaner environment.

 

[SonicX11212]

lucky! i wish my government would pay for me to have $1.90 electric bill

 

[Boyle]

Very smart London!

 

[anomaly]

That's great! Seeing initiative from both people and their governments for a cleaner world. :thumbup:

 

[Sumac]

Ok, I do like that people are working toward a clean environment. That is important, but... how much if you do not mind my asking did the panels cost? How much did the install cost everyone else? I ask because when I looked into this, it was something like a 20+year ROI. If you are doing it purely for the environment and it's your money, hey man, hats off, but if you are doing it for savings, how long will it take you to recoup the install/product cost?

 

[BeeF915]

how long will it take you to recoup the install/product cost?

I know most people wouldn't have time but you can easily make your own. Learn how to solder and you can get the solar cells at a fair price online and you could build your own:thumbup:. I know this because my dad is gonna make me do this when he's down building our new house, which is 90% reused and recycled materials from auctions and what not.

 

[jeod66]

I know most people wouldn't have time but you can easily make your own. Learn how to solder and you can get the solar cells at a fair price online and you could build your own:thumbup:. I know this because my dad is gonna make me do this when he's down building our new house, which is 90% reused and recycled materials from auctions and what not.

Keep in mind though that when you buy the commercial products, you're paying for them to (hopefully) do it right for you the first time. We have an informal rule in engineering:

Fast, good, or cheap - you only get two.

If you build them yourself from individual cells, it might be good and cheap, but it will take your time, rather than somebody else's - not fast. If you do it yourself fast and cheap, it probably won't be good because you're hurrying. In practice, this rule almost always holds up, and I think of it a lot when I look at expensive parts for work - is it actually cheaper to machine something ourselves, or to just buy the part off the shelf? If your time is worth more than the price of the cells, it's often better to buy them and be done with it. Just pointing it out is all, and good luck with your project. I've done more than a little soldering over the years myself and know how tough it can be sometimes

The price of solar cells has dropped a bit as of the past few years, but they're still pretty expensive...until the government buys them from you. Nice to hear this London!

 

[c-whit?]

Ok, I do like that people are working toward a clean environment. That is important, but... how much if you do not mind my asking did the panels cost? How much did the install cost everyone else? I ask because when I looked into this, it was something like a 20+year ROI. If you are doing it purely for the environment and it's your money, hey man, hats off, but if you are doing it for savings, how long will it take you to recoup the install/product cost?

I think the average cost (on the east coast) is about 10-15K for installation etc to operate a household of 4 people giving it roughly a 10-15 year turnover to make any savings.

I know this because my sister and brother in law were looking at it before and I did some research on it.

I see alot of businesses, offices, etc, turning over to solar power though. Maybe it'll drive the cost down a bit so the average consumer will be able to get it at much more affordable prices. haha

 

[Darth]

This is a great idea, I know they do it here in the UK too, I think they said in about 5 years you start getting a profit.

 

[I SURVIVED LONDON BLITZ]

Thanks for the interest guys. I have 8 panels retail price over $6000, I paid $2.990, on a no interest loan over 12 months, I will be saving about $900 a year so in about 3 years it will be profit. we get 41 cents on every units we don't use and put into the grid . We have to get a qualified registered company to install , the company we went through is the major power supplier in Victoria. The panel have a 20 year guarantee so hopefully we shall be alright there. My wife has checked up on the solar panels and tells me you guys can get them free and install them yourself, I did not see this but she assures me it is fact. Where would we be without the internet.

 

[BeeF915]

Fast, good, or cheap - you only get two.

I can take A 10 minute trip to the city and find all three pretty quickly...but seriously this really is true most of the time.