Stan,
I intstalled a pro panel system about 4 years ago in my home. The biggest problem was educating myself in the proper equipment and specifications. Since installed, the system has worked flawlessly.
Two suggestions to you in approaching the design and financing of your system.
First, the rated outputs for these systems are very confusing. They also tend to be overstated much as are auto fuel economy standards. For example, with a first class system using 175 watt panels, you will problably only net 105 to 100 to 122 watts of useable AC power per solar hour per panel. In your area, I am guessing that the average solar hours per day is about 4.2 hours. Generally you should size your system for an even not an odd number of panels. Therefore a 38 panel system will yield only about 16 to 19 KWH per day. This works out to 480 to 570 KWH per 30 day month. Add 25% to these amounts if you use active trackers. Zomeworks corp makes an excellent tracker.
Second, you must be careful to research the fine print in your state rebate plan. I installed my system under the Illinois rebate plan. Illinois has a certain amount of money set aside for rebates and it is doled out on a first come first serve basis. If they run out of money during one year, you have to wait your turn until new funds are available. The problem here is that if a person is expecting a quick processing of their rebate, this can yield big cash flow problems if a rebate is expected or needed quickly. I know nothing about the New Jersey rebate system but I would check out this angle carefully.
All this being said, I have been very pleased with my system. If you buy a well engineered system, and install it carefully,it will be an absolute pleasure to own.
I live up on a hill top in a semi rural-semi suburban area. At least twice a year on a stormy night, I look out my living room window and see darkness in the distance. My neighbor's electricity has gone out and I never noticed as much as a light bulb flicker. It amazes me that my solar system has taken over and I never knew there was a local electric outage. This gives a wonderful feeling of security.
Finally, let me address the cost issue. Again and again people ask me, "When will your system pay for itself?" I think this question is really odd. When someone goes out and buys a $40,000 auto when a $22,000 auto would work just as well, nobody asks that question. Yet a solar electric system is really quite cheap after a good rebate plan and most components will last 25 years or more. Most vehicles are junk after only a few years.
Most autos don't usually generate much wealth after purchase. They just consume more wealth. On the other hand solar electric systems generate wealth and security for a very long time.
There is an outfit called real goods which specs out solar systems and can arrange for installation or can guide the do-it yourselfer. I have talked to them on the phone but never did any business with them. If I were to do my system over again, I would problably work thru them.
It is 1 AM and my KWH math may be off a touch but not much. If so forgive me.
Good luck
JK |
