Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [solar-panels]

For questions about photovoltaic panels or photovoltaic-based solar power systems.

163 questions
88
votes
15 answers

Are solar panels cost-effective?

Environmental issues aside, I'd like to know whether solar panels are worth it from a monetary standpoint? How long before payoff occurs? Pros & Cons? Is technology moving too fast, e.g. should I wait a year or two?
AngryHacker
  • 991
  • 1
  • 7
  • 5
39
votes
9 answers

How should I go about installing a 12 volt DC residential circuit?

I have a couple deep cycle batteries that trickle charge from a solar panel, for emergency use. Right now the only way I get useful power from them is to use a 12VDC -> 120VAC inverter, e.g. the type that can hook up to a car battery. I'd like to…
Hank
  • 14,213
  • 10
  • 46
  • 48
30
votes
13 answers

Protecting solar panels from kids who may throw stones to get monkeys off roof

I have read this question - Solar panels and hail and my question is similar. I have the possibility that neighboring kids may throw stones at my roof top solar panels to scare off monkeys which are a local pest. What protection measures I can take…
user56677
22
votes
11 answers

How do you protect solar panels from hail?

Saw another question on solar panels and it reminded me of one big thing that always made me hesitant to consider them. We get several hail storms each year and having an expensive glass covered(?) panel facing almost straight up seems like it is…
JohnFx
  • 4,755
  • 15
  • 45
  • 50
19
votes
6 answers

Is Electric Central Heating worth it if using Solar Panels?

I understand that electric heating is less efficient and comparatively more expensive than gas heating (propane or natural gas), but considering I live in Texas (a lot of sunlight) and I intend to install solar panels, would it be cheaper and more…
MisterStrickland
  • 595
  • 3
  • 6
  • 14
11
votes
3 answers

What's a reasonable expectation for efficiency in modern solar panels?

I recently had a solar array installed on my roof with four different sections connected to three inverters - the total array includes 56 panels for a total of 13.44 kW. However, I'm not seeing anywhere near that much production, even during the…
SqlRyan
  • 273
  • 1
  • 2
  • 10
9
votes
4 answers

Why do I need batteries to use solar when the grid is down?

I am considering a home solar photovoltaic installation, probably 5 kW or so. The usual configuration around here is with a grid-tie inverter and net metering. But when the grid goes down, the inverter shuts off (to avoid back-feeding into the…
RustyShackleford
  • 2,777
  • 5
  • 40
  • 61
8
votes
7 answers

Heat large pool with electric via solar panels?

Where might I go for help with this? Should I try to price it out myself or find a contractor? What type of contractor should I look for? My community of 60 families owns a pool. It is about 30' x 60'. It is heated by gas now, and the gas is the…
Yehuda_NYC
  • 1,399
  • 13
  • 35
  • 52
8
votes
2 answers

Can I power my air conditioning with solar energy?

In my house I have 3 small air conditioning systems running at 8000 BTU/hour each. I would like to power them with solar energy. I found that I would have to generate: 3.41 BTU/hr = 1 Watt 8000 BTU/hr = 2346 Watts That means to power the 3 units…
VP.
  • 203
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8
8
votes
3 answers

Solar-electric system not generating rated power

I bought a solar PV system a couple of months ago. It has 11 410-watt panels for a total of 4.5 kW. The first month it was cloudy and never generated over 3.2 kW of power. Now that it's been bright and sunny, I am still only getting 3.2 kW. After…
Hannover Fist
  • 297
  • 3
  • 11
7
votes
3 answers

Adding critical-loads sub-panel with a PV install, rationale and ampacity calculation

I'm considering adding a critical-loads subpanel near my main load center, in conjunction with a small grid-tie solar system, and with connection for backup power. Please critique my rationale for adding a subpanel, and help me decide on its…
RustyShackleford
  • 2,777
  • 5
  • 40
  • 61
7
votes
4 answers

Is it safe to harvest rainwater that fell on solar panels?

I am working on creating blueprints for my new home. My plan is to have both solar panels on the roof and a rainwater catchment system that directs water from the roof into some tanks in the basement. I expect to have a filter (not sure if it will…
Pedro
  • 171
  • 1
  • 4
7
votes
4 answers

How do you protect solar panels for storage during house rebuild?

I am in the process of preparing to demolish my house so I can rebuild. We are taking the solar panels off the roof and plan to put them back on to the new house. Does anyone know the best way to store them in the meantime? Would heavy duty bubble…
Ralphie77
  • 71
  • 1
  • 2
6
votes
2 answers

Half of my lights and oulets are not working after heavy winds?

We have solar panels and mains power. Last night was very windy; we heard quite a few bangs from outside and thought it might be the wires getting knocked together. Woke up this morning and we have power to everything except the lights and our…
phil
  • 61
  • 1
  • 2
6
votes
2 answers

What can cause a 24 volt solar panel to output 40 volt?

I have 2 solar panels (330 watt, 24 volt) which are installed and were used to 3 years, then I installed a larger system and disconnected these smaller solar panels. These were unused for more than 6 months. Now I checked the output of panels and…
Bharat D Bhadresha
  • 163
  • 4
1
2 3
…
10 11