Charles,

The panels I am getting are "advertised" at 167 watts per square meter.

I have a rather large back yard and that is where three arrays will be
installed.
One array will be on my roof (I already have a solar hot water panel up
there).

The DC is being converted to AC with a "solid state" inverter. These
inverters track the phase angle of the main electric grid.

 There will be a "two way" meter installed as well as "cut out" if the
main electric grid goes down.

The rating for this area is about 7 hours a day for 350 days a year
(average). Between the solar hot water heater and the 6kw PV system plus
putting energy efficient lights I should  be close to not paying for
electricity again.

The power company is paying $3,000 per kw for the first 3kw and the
state is giving a $1,000 credit on taxes for the PV system. For the
solar hot water system the "kick back" is $750 from each.

David A. Douthit
Manager
LoCan LLC

Charles Dolci wrote:

> David:
> Interesting ...
> Just curious though. How much space do these things take up?
> I know the common figure for solar energy striking the earth at sea
> level is about 1000 watts per sq. meter.  Most current, affordable
> photovoltaics are at about 12 - 14% efficiency, tops (although a
> subsidiary of Cypress Semi issued a press release last year saying
> they had developed a cell that "approached 17% efficiency" - but they
> didn't put any pricing data in the release).  Of course, that is under
> optimum conditions. But let's be generous and assume 16% efficiency,
> so that means you need 37 sq. meters or 403.6 sq. feet of space to
> generate 6kw.
> One company
> (http://www.wattsun.com/products/wattsun_trackers/Wattsun_Tracker_Price_Sheet.html)
> actually selling systems has a 300 watt system (11.48% efficiency)
> that takes up 26 sq. feet. so to get 6kw  means you need about 520 sq. ft.
>
> Is the power output DC or is it converted to AC?  I am no expert but
> isn't there a 10-15% loss of energy during conversion?  Of course,
> these are theoretical numbers. Are you able to orient the cells to
> enjoy maximum efficiency?  Do dust and dirt affect efficiency? Is
> there a tracking system that moves the cell panels to keep them
> oriented to the sun or do you lose efficiency as the sun "travels"
> across the sky? If these cells are located on your roof does house
> orientation and roof pitch affect efficiency?
>
> Not that it matters since it is your property, but what do your
> neighbors say about the solar cells? Are they on the roof or are they
> free standing in your back yard? Does shade from trees or adjoining
> structures impact output?  These may work in Arizona, but will they
> work in Minnesota?
>
> I suspect that photovoltaics are not yet cost effective otherwise
> taxpayers and ratepayers would not be asked to pick up part of the cost.
>
> Just curious.
>
> Chuck Dolci
>
>
> David Douthit wrote:
>
>> Joe,
>>
>> I am currently installing a 6kw photo voltaic system and I have already
>> installed a solar hot water heater.
>>
>> I am also trying to "spread the word" here but I am beginning to get
>> strange looks. I am borrowing money, while it is cheap, (inflation
>> spiral) to pay for these items. It is strange that I live in a "desert"
>> in Arizona and so little effort is being put into solar energy.
>>
>> People simply don't believe or want to here you. Classic "denial"
>> symptoms.
>>
>> Only 2 companies in the Phoenix area are licensed and bonded to install
>> solar cell power systems.
>> Only 4 in the entire state! This is incredible.
>> None of the hardware they are installing is built in the USA. We may get
>> so far
>> "behind the power curve", literally, that we can not afford the hardware
>> needed to reduce energy consumption (inflation and unemployement
>> spirals!).
>>
>> I am very worried for my children!!
>>
>> David A. Douthit
>> Manager
>> LoCan LLC
>>
>> Joe Fjelstad wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks Dave,
>>>
>>> I agree that it is not No..1. I forwarded another's message for
>>> consideration and it was their choice for No. 1 but it is a matter
>>> of  significant
>>> concern.
>>>
>>> Thanks also for the link. Interesting reading and there are a number of
>>> counter points that I have heard but the indisputable fact is that
>>> there will be
>>> an end to cheap oil and we are seeing the start of that day  now.
>>>
>>> Humans are very selfish creatures but we are also capable of great
>>> sacrifice
>>> for our progeny if we see and understand threat. The question  is,
>>> drawing on
>>> the word's of Lincoln, can we summon " the  better angels of our
>>> nature" in
>>> advance of the threat becoming  overwhelming?
>>>
>>> Kind regards,
>>> Joe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>