 | |
provided by:
For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.Sounds great! You’re ready to go! But solar isn’t all fun and games. The pros outweigh the cons — especially when you look at the big picture — but you should still understand the drawbacks. This section explains a few things to remember when working with solar energy.
Initial costs and falling pricesGoing solar requires an upfront expense. When you go solar, you get a good
payback on your investment, but you do have to put out cash upfront. Most
people don’t want to bother, and many don’t have the cash.
Reliability and timingSolar works only when the sun is shining. If you want energy at night or on a dark day in the winter, you need either batteries or other energy resources. What makes sense in Arizona doesn’t necessarily make sense in Seattle, Washington. Ultimately, solar relies on Mother Nature’s generosity, and this varies from region to region. In fact, it even varies over different locations at your home. Also, timing of energy use is everything. In a typical scenario, solar energy availability is at its peak when the household power demands are minimal. It’s out of phase with need. This scenario isn’t much of a problem with solar water heaters because they inherently store the energy for later use. But solar electric requires either batteries for energy storage or a special system called an intertie, which connects to your public utility. On this typical winter day, the heater is on all night but turned low, and the lights and appliances are off. In the morning, the family turns up the heater, turns on lights, takes hot showers, cooks breakfast, and gets ready for school and work. Then everybody leaves, and the day warms up so the heater shuts down. At the end of the afternoon, when the sun is on its way down, everybody returns. Lights are turned on, the heater’s turned up, a log is tossed into the fireplace, cooking begins in earnest, the kids play video games and make a big mess, the vacuum is run, and so on.
Red tape and aesthetically minded neighborsYou may have to work around building codes. Bureaucrats are a big hassle, and interfacing with government agencies is frustrating. In addition, only qualified contractors should install complex electrical systems. Also, most solar panels are ugly. Nobody wants to look at them. If they’re your own and you’re benefiting, it’s acceptable. If they belong to your neighbors, it’s a different story. In some communities, solar panels are forbidden. Many CC&Rs prohibit solar panels altogether, but this situation is changing; in fact, most legal challenges to solar panels are being stricken by the courts in favor of environmental conscience. At some point, the federal government will likely enter the picture and prohibit all banning of solar panels. Several ongoing efforts are working to make solar panels less obtrusive, so this problem will become less important over time.
Effort and upkeepGoing solar takes work. Making good decisions about solar power can be difficult unless you’ve done your homework. And not only do you have to do some research, but you also have to work with the equipment itself. Here are some issues to consider:
You face some dangers. Active systems can shock you if you don’t know what you’re doing. Water heating systems can scald you. You’re much safer sitting in front of your TV than climbing around installing solar equipment.
You face equipment challenges in freezing weather. Solar water heating panels can freeze up in the winter. You have to pay attention to how they’re working. Most new solar thermal heating systems get around the freezing problem by using some form of anti-freeze, but there are still a good number of existing and new systems that still use water. The antifreeze systems are more expensive, and if you don’t need one you will not want to pay the extra cost, so there will always be water-based systems available.
You’re on your own for upkeep and repairs. If you get your power from the power company, keeping things maintained and running is its problem. If you have a big array of solar panels on your roof, it’s your problem. If they break, you pay. When they get old, you update.
Choosing Your Level of Commitment
No matter where you start, you can always expand your solar system. For example, you can invest in a small photovoltaic system for your rooftop and then expand it as you go, spreading the investment costs over a long period of time. Read on for ways to get involved.
Small- to mid-sized projects
Later on, I detail a wide range of simple, straightforward solar projects available to the do-it-yourselfers. From installing landscape lighting to a standalone photovoltaic powered attic vent fan, you can begin investing in solar today with minimal cost and effort. The small-scale projects feature safe operating levels (typical voltages in a photovoltaic system are so low that you won’t be able to get a shock). And if you’re no good with tools, have no fear. Some of the projects don’t even require a screwdriver — you can buy off-the-shelf solutions that you can use out of the box. You can also do a number of things in your yard to improve the solar exposure of your home. Deciduous trees (which shed their leaves in the fall) planted strategically about your house can ensure summertime cooling while allowing solar energy to help warm your house in the winter. Planting bushes in the right spots can reduce the cooling effect of wind, especially around your pool. And you can also increase the breezes flowing through your house by strategically arranging trees and bushesSome of these projects, such as the attic vent fan, can save you money.
It can keep your attic cooler in the summer and lower your air-conditioning bill. And some of the projects — such as the swimming pool light ball — are just plain fun. You can even build a solar oven that’ll cook almost everything you cook in your kitchen stove! Installing a solar heating system on your swimming pool is a reasonable do-it-yourself project with very real results, not just in terms of costs saved but also added enjoyment. Installing a water heating system for your domestic supply gets a little trickier, and it’s a project usually contracted out to the pros. But if you’re good with tools, you can probably install one on your own. If you’re intending to install a full-scale solar energy system in your home, a great way to find out about the character of solar energy is to start with the simpler projects. You discover the importance of good solar exposure, and you determine when and how solar works the best — as well as the worst. You’ll be in a better position to make good decisions on how to invest the big bucks when the time comes.
Large projects
Later on, I describe the larger projects that are wise choices for solar investment. Full-scale photovoltaic energy generators are the king of the mountain these days. You probably won’t be able to install one of these systems on your own. I tell you how to research the available options and decide which is best for your needs. And I tell you how to find and choose the right contractor for the job. Greenhouses are attractive, and you can grow your own food in them, year round in some climates. But you can also use a greenhouse or sunroom to heat your home in the winterOff-grid living means there’s no utility company power coming into your home at all. You can use a solar power system, backed up with a gasoline-powered generator, to provide all the power you’ll ever need. It’s not for everybody, and it really doesn’t make much sense unless you’re living so far away from the utilities that just running the lines to your house would cost a ton. But for some of the more independent-minded readers, it’s the only way to go.
Designing a solar home from scratch
Designing a solar home from scratch is clearly the most efficient way to achieve solar energy advantages. Most existing homes are inefficient in a number of ways. Insulation may be lacking. Sunlight exposure was not thought out — it’s just what happened when the house was built on the lot. But when you design your own home, you can control all the variables. You can achieve excellent sunlight in the morning while blocking off the afternoon heat. You can shelter for wind by taking advantage of existing trees and cover. Best of all, you can build your roof to achieve perfect solar exposure. You can also ensure energy efficiency by using the right materials and building techniques. The fact is, a good house design can make it so that you don’t need much energy at all. What could be better for the environment?
| |
provided by:
For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.