Author Topic: How to make a fortune by saving on your electrical bill (Read 11927 times)

compig · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:47:30 AM »

No prob Scott , they are thin film laminate panels by Uni-Solar , a subsidiary of Energy Conversion devices , quite an impressive US company.

http://www.uni-solar.com/interior.asp?id=102

LowGear · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2009, 02:16:56 AM »

These seem pretty pricy per KWH and inefficient per square foot. They sell a few here because they fit so nicely on those snap lock style metal roofs.

Casey

Tom · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2009, 05:08:57 PM »

We have a "snap lock"/ standing seam metal roof. But we didn't have enough room for the amount of power we needed. Instead we used S5 clips that clamp to the standing seam with conventional Sharp 167 watt panels. The whole job was done with no penetrations through the roof.

LowGear · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2009, 05:58:31 PM »

Hi Tom,

What is your total system contribution? Are you net metering? Did you do a watt per square foot or watt per dollar comparison between the two styles of PV system?

Casey

Tom · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2009, 07:54:50 PM »

I'm off-grid, so except for running the 'roid for 160 hours this winter it is 100%. I bought the Sharp panels because they were the lowest cost per watt and because of limited roof space. We have 21 167 watt panels on the roof.

Stan · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:39:03 AM »

Casey...I've been pondering your electrical usage....Yeeeeeks.....in my ponderous way and have you considered that your electrical usage meter might be wonky.

I'm not sure what kind of meter you have, didn't think to notice when I was visiting, duh, but I remember a buddy of mine who works for BC Hydro replacing wonky (sorry, technical term) meters and one night over some beers and hot dogs around an open fire I asked him how come all he does is replace meters? He admitted that a LOT of meters are wonky and need replacement.

Not sure what I remember about that night, including the technical details about exactly what might go wrong in one of them, but if you phone your electrical supplier and ask if your meter might be wonky, it would be interesting what response you may get. N'est pas?
Stan

LowGear · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2009, 05:30:17 AM »

Hi Stan,

Well it is the second meter with this one being one of the newer infrared reader type and the bill didn't dip or jump the next month. Here's some of the problem:

Two water heaters (one solar boosted)
Two washing machines
One dryer
Three refrigerators
Two 24/7 water feature pumps
One 3/4 HP swimming pool pump - 6 hours a day
Two or three computers sometimes four
X-10 controllers that puke on CFLs
A overhead fan or two in the summer
Poor cooperation by staff and guests.

When are those "Save America" renewable energy programs going to kick in from Uncle Obama?

Casey

Stan · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:01:00 PM »

Don't forget, he's a politician

Stan

LowGear · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2009, 07:00:15 PM »

Yeah, but all politicians want a second term.

oliver90owner · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2009, 01:47:55 PM »

Checking out a meter is pretty simple really. Connect a known-value load and time the revolutions on the meter wheel, or time it while using an amount of power and calculate if necessary. If the two power ratings disagree, try another known load. If not sure at the end of it one can always check the same appliance on a friend's meter.

In the UK the utilities make an horrendous charge for testing, and only refund if the meter is proven faulty. There must be people out there that are illiterate and inumerate. Just the ones that need to be protected from those extortionate charges!

Regards, RAB

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