I created this solar power blog because I want to know for myself what’s really going on with this technology. I believe that by reading articles, thinking about what it means to me, then writing down my thoughts, I will be better prepared to utilize solar power and other sources of renewable energy in my own life.
Solar Power Knowledge Project
Renewable Energy News For Everyday Consumption
8 comments
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July 29, 2009 at 7:23 pm
James Schaaf
Please keep me informed of updates so that I may design my home to be as energy efficient as possible.
September 13, 2009 at 9:01 am
Geoff
Indy,
I stumbled upon your blog from another site yesterday. I am in the process of getting a Solar PV system on my home. When the federal government began the 30% tax credit I became intrigued. In May PA began accepting applications for what they refer to as the “sunshine rebate”. The application must be submitted via an approved solar installer. When the installation is finished, the state will come out and inspect the work. When it passes, they then issue you a rebate check for an additional 30% of the cost of the system. After having several contractors come out and inspect my place, I decided to go with a company called The Heatshed (www.heatshed.com). I am currently waiting for official approval from the state, and once I get that I should be good to go. I’m not sure how soon this will be, but the sooner the better (not just for the free juice, but I’d like to start using my tax credits this year as well).
Because my house is in a rural area, surrounded by preserved farm land, and my house is all electric, I decided to go with a system that produces 6.075Kw /hr. The cost of my system is about $42K, but after the tax credits and the rebate will cost a measly $16K. At today’s electric rates, my ROI is about 6.7 years. Our two local electric companies are both raising rates about 30% starting in January. This will knock my ROI down to under 5 years, all while reducing my electric bill and adding value to my home.
Anyway, the real object of this email was to say THANK YOU for all the informative posts! So, THANK YOU.
Geoff
June 15, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Adler Turner
I stumbled upon your blog from another site yesterday. I am in the process of getting a Solar PV system on my home. When the federal government began the 30% tax credit I became intrigued. In May PA began accepting applications for what they refer to as the “sunshine rebate”. The application must be submitted via an approved solar installer. When the installation is finished, the state will come out and inspect the work. When it passes, they then issue you a rebate check for an additional 30% of the cost of the system. After having several contractors come out and inspect my place, I decided to go with a company called The Heatshed (www.heatshed.com). I am currently waiting for official approval from the state, and once I get that I should be good to go. I’m not sure how soon this will be, but the sooner the better (not just for the free juice, but I’d like to start using my tax credits this year as well).
+1
February 21, 2011 at 4:15 am
Andrew Joseph
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community. Your weblog supplied us important information to function on. You have done a marvelous job!
February 24, 2011 at 6:27 am
Andrew Joseph
This is such a great resource which you are providing and you give it away for free of charge. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a high quality resource for free of charge. It?s the old what goes around comes close to routine. Did you acquired lots of links and I see lots of trackbacks?
May 14, 2011 at 1:33 pm
PowayDave
I don’t know if you ever bought a whole house fan or not, but I’ll share my experience.
I live about 25 miles inland in San Diego Ca — it’s a warm climate, requiring Air Conditioning about four months per year. Lows are about 32F in winter. We had a whole house fan for the last 6 years, and loved it, but hated the LOUD noise. It died, and I just ordered a Quiet Cool whole house fan to replace it, which I expect to be very quiet, allowing us to use it all night if we wish (this would be too much Spring and Fall). It’s different than a traditional whole house fan — the fan is a “squirrel cage” type and mounts up high in the attic, with a flexible duct attached to a vent in the ceiling. This supposedly makes it very quiet. I got the QC 3200, cost about $900 (free shipping). I am hoping we will hardly need AC anymore — just in the afternoons for a few hours each day during the hot part of the summer (its 90-100F about two months per year). If I’m right, it will pay for itself in about two summers.
BTW, whole house fans are very handy for rapidly clearing out smoke, stale air, odors, etc. Hard to live without once you’ve had one.
I’ll let you know how it works out if you like.
Dave (PowayDave)
May 24, 2011 at 6:47 am
Tonya
I live about 25 miles inland in San Diego Ca — it’s a warm climate, requiring Air Conditioning about four months per year. Lows are about 32F in winter. We had a whole house fan for the last 6 years, and loved it, but hated the LOUD noise. It died, and I just ordered a Quiet Cool whole house fan to replace it, which I expect to be very quiet, allowing us to use it all night if we wish (this would be too much Spring and Fall). It’s different than a traditional whole house fan — the fan is a “squirrel cage” type and mounts up high in the attic, with a flexible duct attached to a vent in the ceiling. This supposedly makes it very quiet. I got the QC 3200, cost about $900 (free shipping). I am hoping we will hardly need AC anymore — just in the afternoons for a few hours each day during the hot part of the summer (its 90-100F about two months per year). If I’m right, it will pay for itself in about two summers.
+1
September 9, 2012 at 7:39 pm
website maken
Great blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also