Cheap Solar Power

The Dark Side of Will · Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:43 pm

CIGS PV cells printed on aluminum foil for $1/watt.
Efficiency is less than silicon PV's, but cost is MUCH lower.

http://www.memagazine.org/may08/departm ... t_out.html

http://www.nanosolar.com/
http://www.heliovolt.net/
http://www.daystartech.com/

DayStar is public... Buy now.

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:18 am

won't be long now and i'll be plunkin down some money for solar panels for my roof.

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:07 am

My dad's estimated heating oil cost for this year is over $6000... he's looking at solar water and home heat (still has a furnace and hot water heat system). Even if it costs $10K, the repayment interval is only 2 years.

Nashco · Post by **Nashco** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:25 am

The Dark Side of Will wrote:My dad's estimated heating oil cost for this year is over $6000... he's looking at solar water and home heat (still has a furnace and hot water heat system). Even if it costs $10K, the repayment interval is only 2 years.

What's he heating....Boston??? If his energy consumption is that high, would $10k worth of solar heating equipment cover all of his demand?

Bryce

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:45 am

He's using a GE furnace that was state of the art when it was built (in the 1950's). The house itself is very old and quite large. It still has the original wood frame/counterweighted windows with wavy glass. While this is nifty to old skool types, it lacks a good bit for energy efficiency. We've been quoted $250 each for modern windows... but the house has over 50 windows so even that effort will cost $10K. That same money put into a solar system will likely make a MUCH bigger dent in the bill. The windows can (and SHOULD) come later.

Kohburn · Post by **Kohburn** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:10 am

yeah I have an indirect hot water tank and water tubes under the floors for hot water radiant heat. I've got a high efficiency propane boiler for my hot water and heating but am considering adding a solar heater for it and leave the boiler as the backup heater.

but I also insulated my house with spray in poluerethane foam and radiant barrier foil.

my worse electric bill for the A/C has only been 160$ for a 3000sqft house

i've had 800sqft apartments with 200$ bills

Mach10 · Post by **Mach10** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:33 pm

Awesome :thumbleft: