I’ve been looking at all of the options for installing solar electricity systems online, and I’ve noticed that even the so-called review sites all seem to be part of a sales pitch….haven’t found a single, independent review of any of these products. Has anyone out there actually used any of these (Earth4Energy, HomemadeEnergy, etc.), and if so, how good are they?
If you have noticed that Earth4Energy is a scam (which it is), then you may be amused by my analysis of it at http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions6.html
If you want to build a wind turbine yourself (like a good engineer would), then get the following book:
Homebrew Wind Power
A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO HARNESSING THE WIND
Dan Bartmann & Dan Fink
Foreword by Mick Sagrillo
ISBN: 978-0-9819201-0-8
Published by Buckville Publications LLC
You can get this from www.otherpower.com This is a startlingly complete book and it has all the background theory you need too. They explain why, for example, you cant use a car alternator or something from a generator, and then proceed to build alternators from scratch. The references are compete — if you explore them and have the time to read, you will be right up there with the pioneers.
As for DIY solar, you can get the parts (panels, inverters, batteries, charge controllers) individually from many sources and make a system. It will not be cheap. You can’t make your own silicon cells, and probably aren’t up to designing the electronics, can’t make your own batteries etc.
My recommendation is this: Get the wind book. Look through the web sites of some of the better looking solar dealers, and if they seem to be "no bull" then e-mail them and tell them what you want. e.g. an entry level system, 80W panel, battery, inverter and charge controller so that you can make enough power for say, a small laptop. The good ones will be able to tell you what works together.
If you are thinking of a whole home solution, then you have a lot of reading to do. You need to switch to natural gas or propane (no electric heat, electric stove, electric hot water) and absolutely mininize the electrical load.
It would be nice to market a good DIY manual, but with a truthful title like "Generate power at home for more than you are paying now" or "With thirty thousand dollars in equipment, you too can avoid those monthly power bills" sales would be pathetic.
Have fun.
As for "real people" comment, when I see questions like this, I wonder if I am wasting my time because many of the questions are not real either. They are simply created by scammers so that they can add their scam replies and rate it best answer. I find this particilary galling when someone says, "this is for my science fair, and I am 14 years old" and all the answers are Earth4Energy scammers. Other times, I find my comments pasted on fake energy sites with links to pharmaceuticals. It is a mad world out there.
November 30th, 2009 at 12:43 am
If you have noticed that Earth4Energy is a scam (which it is), then you may be amused by my analysis of it at http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions6.html
If you want to build a wind turbine yourself (like a good engineer would), then get the following book:
Homebrew Wind Power
A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO HARNESSING THE WIND
Dan Bartmann & Dan Fink
Foreword by Mick Sagrillo
ISBN: 978-0-9819201-0-8
Published by Buckville Publications LLC
You can get this from http://www.otherpower.com This is a startlingly complete book and it has all the background theory you need too. They explain why, for example, you cant use a car alternator or something from a generator, and then proceed to build alternators from scratch. The references are compete — if you explore them and have the time to read, you will be right up there with the pioneers.
As for DIY solar, you can get the parts (panels, inverters, batteries, charge controllers) individually from many sources and make a system. It will not be cheap. You can’t make your own silicon cells, and probably aren’t up to designing the electronics, can’t make your own batteries etc.
My recommendation is this: Get the wind book. Look through the web sites of some of the better looking solar dealers, and if they seem to be "no bull" then e-mail them and tell them what you want. e.g. an entry level system, 80W panel, battery, inverter and charge controller so that you can make enough power for say, a small laptop. The good ones will be able to tell you what works together.
If you are thinking of a whole home solution, then you have a lot of reading to do. You need to switch to natural gas or propane (no electric heat, electric stove, electric hot water) and absolutely mininize the electrical load.
It would be nice to market a good DIY manual, but with a truthful title like "Generate power at home for more than you are paying now" or "With thirty thousand dollars in equipment, you too can avoid those monthly power bills" sales would be pathetic.
Have fun.
As for "real people" comment, when I see questions like this, I wonder if I am wasting my time because many of the questions are not real either. They are simply created by scammers so that they can add their scam replies and rate it best answer. I find this particilary galling when someone says, "this is for my science fair, and I am 14 years old" and all the answers are Earth4Energy scammers. Other times, I find my comments pasted on fake energy sites with links to pharmaceuticals. It is a mad world out there.
References :
http://www.nlcpr.com
http://www.otherpower.com
November 30th, 2009 at 12:49 am
The person above has already provided you with some excellent information and comments. I’ll see if i can add to that a tad…
We live off-grid, meaning that we have no provided electricity and must create and store our own. What we have learned has been both costly, and often labor-intensive. I’ve put a link below to some articles that would be very helpful – especially the wind and solar charts links.
If you’re going to fully convert to solar or wind, one of the greatest expenses will be your battery bank: the place where your energy is stored for use when there is no sun or wind. We started with 12-volt, at the advice of a company selling solar/wind – but later changed to the much more efficient 24-volt system. Whatever you think you’ll need in the way of batteries – add 20%, really.
Before you venture into making the change, I highly recommend spending a while doing the relevant math: how much power do you need? What is the maximum draw you’ll require? How long will you be required to run on batteries? How many watts will your inverter need to provide? Where will you place your battery bank? Will your area provide adequate solar or wind power on an annual basis? Will you keep your grid power and augment it with solar? If so, can you get money from your power company for electricity you sell back to them?
Also, be sure to check local codes first – especially if you live in a place where there are neighborhood rules – you may not be able to install solar panels reasonably, or a wind turbine.
If you want to run a normal house on solar or wind, you can expect to spend a great deal of money – many, many thousands of dollars, in fact. There will also be upkeep, repair and replacement of parts.
One of the problems we encountered came when we went to install our battery bank. Batteries emit toxic gases, and wherever you store them must be vented – out of the house. Also, batteries work best at 72° – which makes winter and hot summer use problematic, unless you have made arrangements for some kind of temperature control.
It occurs to me that one of the cheapest methods for producing your own power would be to stay on the grid and augment with solar. Wind requires a tower – and I wouldn’t consider a tower less than 60’ tall, which is costly to get installed due to the concrete requirements for its base, and the machinery used to raise it. (We have solar and a wind turbine.) The problem with augmenting grid with solar is the basic cost of the change. Right now, you can get a 100 watt solar panel for about $1,000. 100 watts does not run much, as you can imagine. Also, it must be wired to a charge controller, inverter and your power mains. This is a pricey adventure, to be sure.
Be sure you note how much power your solar panels will actually produce: the new ones are better, but do not provide 100% – and what they do provide they only provide for limited hours of each day.
Where I live, many people have green power. The biggest problems we’ve all encountered include: too few solar panels; too small of a battery bank; and too small of an inverter system. I’ve done all of my own wiring and installed my panels and wind turbine – including the tower. I have spent about $30,000 over the years, but now have a very nice power system. I do dread the day I will have to replace my $12,000 battery bank!
I hope this helps a bit.
References :
http://mymilescity.com/how-to-solar-power/index.html
November 30th, 2009 at 1:16 am
Hi, you can check out the site I found below, it gives a good over view of some of the programs you mentioned above. The good thing about it is that it looks like they have actually purchased the product as they do a video review of the products.
References :
http://www.howtobuildawindturbine.net
November 30th, 2009 at 1:52 am
The Northern Arizona Wind and Sun forum is an excellent resource, and they have a section on wind. There are real experts there, and there is no charge for advice. There is even a section for people to post notices of scams in both solar and wind.
Wind power is about 1/3 the price of solar if your site is suitable, but few sites are. Unless you live in the country, the building department will have something to say about your putting up a 30-foot tower. For robust power in realistic quantities, it will not be as cheap as the Earth4Energy type websites suggest.
References :
http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/index.php