Boldering Forums

Anyone have experience with consumer/home solar panels? Let' say I wanted to power a 1.5hp water pump. I figure it would take a rather large solar panel to power that. Google conversion says it's around 1200 watts. I would probably need some system of batteries for charging while it's not in use to cover the amount of energy required during use. I don't necessarily want to spend $2000 on a solar array the size of a house.

my family has solar power at our camps, and it is pretty simple to deal with. with our water pumps, we have in-line setups with a small panel right at the pump. then no need to go through an inverter and wire to the house. maybe too primitive for what your needs will be, but it can be linked to a hot water tank (propane). if your climate is warm this could work year round.

PM TMCleavor

1500W is insane for solar. what is the pump for? they make pretty decent 12v pumps these days that'll do 5gpm at less than 200W.

hippies.

don't you know solar panels are made from cadmium telluride?

is taht radioactive waste from chosslorado?

zirc wrote:hippies.

don't you know solar panels are made from cadmium telluride?

Whats your point.

Its toxic for the manufactures due to the recrystallization process in cadmium chloride, but once its in the PV panels, if properly recycled at the end of its lifespan, its harmless.

xactly. if recycled properly. seriously, who recycles? you're just using way more fossil fuels and toxic substances to make something sold to you as GREEN. just like battery powered cars fueled by COAL. what a joke. gd stupid hippies. now we'll have to watch out for broken solar panels when dumpster diving. THANKS.

We are DOOMED!

What are the drawbacks of wind and tidal power?

pander wrote:1500W is insane for solar. what is the pump for? they make pretty decent 12v pumps these days that'll do 5gpm at less than 200W.

The pump is actually only 3/4hp doing something like 40gpm. This idea is clearly too cost prohibitive. Grid powered it shall remain.

Your pump is 1500W!!!
The average house in the US uses 1.8 kw/hr.
Depending on the state you live in you can almost get a 2Kw system free.
2 Kw grid tied system will cost about $8000 up front but you will receive a $4000-6000 tax credit from the feds and depending on your state you will receive some percentage back per Kw.
Also with a 2 Kw system on sunny days you can watch your electric meter spin backwards as you push excess energy back into the grid. If your very good with energy you can actually get paid by the power company for any excess you push to the grid.

Pm me if you want more details.

zirc wrote:THANKS.

Also what happens after we used up all the sun? Did you think of that hippies? GEEZ!

Link up some places to look at 2kw home kits that have an inverter to turn energy back to the grid...

Also, do you already know the deal with GA tax benefits because of your family? Save me the legwork ya know?

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/

Great site with tons of info.

Slim: The GA residential tax credit is 25% up to $2000 of the final installed cost.

what about wind, you capitalist pigs! asdf

TMCleavor wrote:http://www.backwoodssolar.com/

Those people live about 10 miles from me. I emailed them asking about the rocks shining in the sun in their header pic but they never replied back. Supposedly limestone up in the Cabinets but I've yet to find it.