Concept

Good southern exposure at a reasonable angle will allow photovoltaics to produce electricity with little human intervention. These systems are becoming more cost effective and more durable.

New science will make these systems even more affordable in the future, but I’m building now, so I’m using time proven traditional multicrystalline silicon panels. Oh well, maybe the next house will get flexible thin film directly on the metal roof or integrated as roofing material.

With good energy conservation, it is fairly easy for a family of four to “get by” on about five thousand kilowatt hours per year. Because we won’t be using any fossil fuels in the house, we will cook with electric, which makes this target a bit more challenging, but certainly not impossible.

Application

Grid tied, solar electricity was one of the easiest components to include in my house. There are a number of reasons for this, including primarily:

• First, I believe it is more socially responsible to be grid tied, if being so isn’t cost prohibitive. This allows us to share excess production and draw more current when needed. If enough people install grid connected PV, then the strain on the grid will be lessened. Only the utility companies’ greed to increase the connect charges can ruin this win-win situation.


• Being grid connected lessens the need for major battery backup, which saves both money and resources. I will have some battery backup, but this will just be for critical systems in the event of a power outage.


• Alas, being grid connected has the effect of generally lessening the drive for energy conservation; but, I vow not to be swayed by easy electric!


• NYSERDA incentives require the system to be installed by a certified contractor. I’m not about to become that, so I called Mike Stangle of Alteris Renewables. Olya Prevo, solar energy consultant, made the design and application process very easy.

We are installing a 5kW array on the garage because the shed dormer’s roof is not steep enough. The garage roof is only 37 degrees, but that will provide over 90% of the potential available electric from the panels. Another reason for using the garage roof is that it is of more typical construction, and does not have the 4” of foam between the rafters and the sheathing.

We will do everything we can to save electricity, i.e. use just what we make for those activities we need most. Obviously there won’t be an incandescent bulb in the house and there will be many LEDs. I’m still experimenting with them but so far what I have is working well. We will also minimize phantom loads, etc. While we will need to cook with electric, two electric saving initiatives in the cooking area will be an induction cook top and possibly a parabolic sun powered oven & cook top. The latter is my own design and still on the drawing board, but maybe…

A possible future increase in electric demand would occur if we do get an electric car, such as the Nissan Leaf. If that happens there is still some room left so we will be able to add a few panels. Yes, 6 KW is a lot of electric, but if it powers our house and car that would be a good thing!

Previous Concept    Back to Concepts Index    Next Concept