Photovoltaic advice

[carolfaygate]

I am interested to hear more about off grid photovoltaic systems as it has been suggested that we could use this in a house we are building. The house is in Greece so would get plenty of light but as we would be off grid I am not sure how effective it would be. This is a very new direction for us and I wondered if anyone had any experience of it and would give us their opinion?

Thanks!

Carol

[VoltsAndBolts]

Carol,

First a few questions for you. Is the house located where you can not get power from the grid and must be off grid? You said your in a location with plenty of sun, but how about wind in your location or the availability of a flowing stream?

The more options you have for generating power the better off you will be. Especially if you want to live come plenty off grid.

Rob (V&B)

[carolfaygate]

Rob,

Well, I am going off the idea, the more I hear. I have spoken to others who try to use it off grid. They say it's not quite enough.

My problem was that although it is possible to get grid power to the house, it would cost about 2/thirds of the cost of putting in PV. Someone involved in PV said if we put it in we could easily run the house on it and then benefit from no bills. I was sceptical hence my posting and research.

As you can see, my purpose is money saving rather than environmental. Of course I could then feel all virtuous about it, but really it boiled down to economy. This is a place to retire to so we don't want to worry about the electricity, or have to make lifestyle changes to cut everything to a minimum.

There is no stream and yes of course there is wind.... sometimes. It's not a particularly windy place though. Anyway, by the time we put in another installation we will be close to the cost of putting in mains. And we will still worry about it.

So you see, I've talked myself out of it. I do appreciate your interest though, and any opinion you have on this would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Carol



First a few questions for you. Is the house located where you can not get power from the grid and must be off grid? You said your in a location with plenty of sun, but how about wind in your location or the availability of a flowing stream?

The more options you have for generating power the better off you will be. Especially if you want to live come plenty off grid.

Rob (V&B)
[/quote]

[VoltsAndBolts]

Hello Carol,

In a newly built home your power costs should drop some do to better insulation and new appliances that draw less current to operate. In the future you can always add some PV panels or a wind turbine to help.

I wish you luck with your retirement home.

V&B

[carolfaygate]

Thank you!

Carol

[darreinjhony]

How does Photo Voltaic (PV) or Solar Power work?
PV Power operates on the principle that electricity will flow between two semiconductors (typically crystalline silicon) when they are put in contact with each other and exposed to light. By linking a number of these 'cells' into a Panel (also called a Module), a useful flow of electricity can be generated. Any number of Solar Panels can be used in a system, providing a very flexible approach to power generation.
Can I use Solar Panels to power my home?
Solar Panels can be used to power your entire home's electrical system, including lights, cooling systems, and appliances. Today, Solar Power systems can be easily blended into and suit the appearance of both traditional and non-traditional homes. The most common practice is to mount the Solar Panels onto a north-facing roof.
Does the solar system require maintenance?
Once the system has been installed on your roof little maintenance is required. It is however recommended to check and clean the Solar Panels periodically to prevent the build up of dirt and grime which can affect the output.
Can I monitor my solar system remotely?
Yes, SolarGen supply a FREE Solar Energy Output Reader with every Home Solar System which allows you to closely monitor your Solar energy output.