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electron flow is neg to positive

I am wondering about the average cost to put solar panels on the average size home. (I know it takes a 3 to 4kw system, I think)
Would this power the home all the time?
Will there be power left over to sell back to the power company?
Just trying to get a clear understanding of solar panels from people that run their homes with solar?

I have a 3.74 kw dc system. The full cost to have the system installed was $26K. I got a $10K rebate from my utility and a fed tax credit (it has been increased to 30% of the total cost so it would be $7800). Not all utilities will allow your meter to run backwards, mine does. It was estimated my system would pay for it’s self in 6.2 years. My city just passed a 20% rate increase, so I should break even much sooner. My system is tied to the grid so I sell them my excess and buy what I need when the sun isn’t up. I don’t have a storage system. I create about 90% of my summer usage and about 75% of my winter usage. My bills went from about $200 down to about $20 for the summer. In the spring my bills are closer to $10.

I highly recommend getting a quote from a local installer, because local rebates and incentives can have a big impact on the over all costs. Where you live, the angle of the panels, any shade issues etc. can all have an impact on production. Any quality company should be able to tell you how much it will cost, a fair estimate of production and an estimate of how long before you break even. It helps if you can give the installer a usage history, I was able to get 2 years history from my utility.

It always helps to begin with conservation.

Despite what many people say, you don’t need batteries for a solar system if you are going to also be connected to the electric company (grid). You just need the panels and an inverter (and mounting hardware and safety equipment like breakers and fuses).

Most people don’t generate all of the electricity they use. They offset some of their use with solar and buy the rest from the grid. You can get a very small grid-tied solar system for as little as $3000. However, it won’t generate much electricity at all. I’d say an average size system is around $10k - $20k. Here are some packages that show all of the components needed. http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-Systems/Alt-E-Designed-Grid-Tie-Packages/c1087/

If you want to see how much you need, look at your electric bill and see how many kwh you buy each month. Put that number into a calculator like this one, and see how big of a system you need. http://www.altestore.com/store/calculators/on_grid_calculator/. Installed cost is about $8 per watt of solar panel.

each panel how many kilowatts does each panel put out X how many panels to run a house

it all depends on the size of the panel

If it might be controversial, I suggest asking the individual members of the board informally whether you can discuss it with them, first. Ultimately, this sort of thing is won one vote at a time. It wouldn’t hurt to plant the idea with a few of your neighbors, too. Ask them what they think of the idea - that will give you a chance to explain how great it will be.

As for the letter, it doesn’t matter that much if you’ve lobbied the board in advance. Do add your contact information at the bottom, and a reminder that you’re more than willing to work with them toward something mutually agreeable.

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Here are three of many sites you can find if you just do a web search.

After you do a bit of research, you will find that the cost for a solar system will take about 9 or 10 years for you to save enough money to pay for the system. By then it will probably need to be replaced. Not a very economic deal.

i have a homework project for n.s. we have to take one energy and convert it into another one any ideas would be helpful too?!

There’s a fabulous site that has lots of build it yourself solar projects. http://www.builditsolar.com/ This is not to be confused with those scam sites promising to power your house for $200, avoid those at all costs.

Build it Solar has projects for solar water heating that would be perfect for you.

Hi Konrath,
If you take a look at the link below it will show you all you need to know to make as many solar panels as you want.
http://www.homemadenergy.com/recommends

of these solar panels? i am talking about the feasability in India. please advice.

You can use passive solar energy without solar panels. Some of those are very low-tech - solar ovens, water heaters and the like can be constructed with dark plastic, tin foil and some ingenuity if you’ve got a good set of plans to work from.

For generating electricity though, it’s trickier - though there are some people who claim to have kits and plans available that are considerably cheaper than the $25,000 and up, up, up that a contractor will charge for professional installation. Most of those savings are in the labor, I’m sure.

Here in California, we get a lot of sunlight year round so I am looking to install solar panels at home to save some energy. Where do I start looking? Are there stores that sell them? What type should I get (or rather, what types are there)?

What would be a good price range? And lastly, how much energy would it really save? Thanks for any help!

go on line there are piles of them don’t forget wind energy check out Jay Leno’s home and garage he is going right of the grid with his power and he has the name of the companies he buys from there was an article in Popular Mechanics awhile back on it