Solar Panels On A Manufactured Home Budget

Solar panels and manufactured homes are not usually discussed in the same conversation. Solar energy companies cater to the high-end clientele, those who can afford the high upfront cost of solar panel installation.

Soon, solar panels and other renewable energy resources will be available to those on a manufactured housing budget.

Thanks to the work of Clayton Home of Maryland, Tennessee, an attractive i-house has entered the manufactured home market.

The i-house features energy efficiency consistent with responsible stewardship of the earth’s resources.

Keep an eye on i-house developments at the i-house news release site or their blog.

Watch a video about the i-house.

Go ahead. Take a virtual tour of the i-house www.claytoihouse.com and see what you think.

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• Eco-friendly Clayton iHouse on sale, coming to a highbrow trailer park near you (engadget.com)
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• ‘i-house’ is giant leap from trailer park (msnbc.msn.com)

Where Are The Solar Panels?

Solar energy is a hot topic these days. It should be.

As I write this post, it’s still early morning here in South Texas. My neighbor and I are out early tending our gardens and plants before things heat up. Lately, daily temperatures are over 100 degrees; there’s no respite in site.

Those of us who are able plan our day around the sun’s heat. We get outside early to take advantage of the balmy 76 degrees. Before the high heat of day we get the grocery shopping done, do only the necessary watering (as we are in drought conditions), and cook dinner (to eat later).

I learned the art of working with and around the summer sun from my agrarian family. One does not fight nature, one works with it.

Here in South Texas we are learning to work with the rhythms of the natural order. Drought and low water conditions are as regular as summer here; this makes us mindful (in a sense) of how we use water. We know it can run out.

But I wonder how long it will take us to learn to work with our summer heat. We don’t seem to understand we can should move away from coal.

Near me, a fairly high-end housing development, Mystic Shores, is in progress. I drove through the other day to see how things were progressing.

The land is fabulous. The houses are beautiful. I am disappointed.

In this land of every present sunshine and nearly perpetual drought conditions, I saw no solar panels and no water catchment systems.

What a shame.

Solar Panels for Apartments

Solar panels placed on individual homes have the potential to make a home its own power generator. Producing more power than your home uses is call net ZEH or Zero Energy Home.

Many home owners, myself included, are working toward such a Zero Energy Home.

But what about folks who live in apartments?

The folks at Coolest-Gadgets are talking about a possible option for apartment dwellers. Apparently these awning-type solar panels are not on the market yet but seem worth looking for.

Here’s the information from their site:

The advantage that houses in suburbia have over apartments in the City is that homeowners can install solar panels on their rooftops to save money on the every rising cost of electricity. Some can even take surplus energy produced by their solar panels and sell it back to the electric company at a tidy little profit. Most apartment dwellers don’t have that option as they don’t have a rooftop with which to install panels. But if they’re on the sunny side of the street, they may be able to install a new awning like product to do the same job.

It’s called Veranda Solar, and it promises to eventually provide solar energy to apartment and condo dwellers by hanging attractive solar panels out windows and balconies. About the size of a DirecTV dish, these Veranda solar panels hope to at least supplement the energy used by an apartment thereby lowering energy costs and helping with demand. They promise to be easy to install with a snap together design, as well as a “plug and play” setup. But to date, there isn’t any data on how effective or efficient these small solar panels will be as they’re still in development. But if they can get the idea going, it could really help those who can’t afford a solar investment in the multi thousands but who still want to do their part if getting more green.

Cost is estimated to be about $400-600 when they come to market. Something worth watching if it works.

How Does Solar Electric Power Work?

How does solar electric power work anyway?

You like the idea of going solar. But life is busy. Solar electric seems too complicated to implement when there doesn’t seem you have enough time to research the idea.

Installing solar panels falls in the category of home remodeling. It does take thought and planning.

But following are a couple short videos that give you the basic overview of how solar electric works.

Here’s a quick video from John Schaeffer of Real Goods Solar giving the short-and-sweet explanation: How Solar Panels Work.

If you have another minute, check out one more video here: Go Solar: How & Why

Solar Panel Prices Fall

USA Today reports some good news in the bad economy. The cost of rooftop solar systems are down 8 to 10 percent since October. Prices on rooftop solar systems are expected to fall another 15 to 20 percent over the course of the year.

This is good news for solar energy fans on a budget!

For the past four (4) months we have had our house on an energy diet. The plan is to reduce our energy consumption to the minimum kWh usage per day for acceptable comfort. Then we will be able to afford a solar panel system.

The idea is that the less electric energy used, the smaller solar system the house needs. A smaller solar system means a budget friendly cost.

With solar panels as well as panel installation cost dropping, this may be the year to “go solar.” And with a larger federal tax credit this year, the effective prices could drop as much as 50 percent.

According to the article, a $32,000 solar energy system could be as low as $10,000 to $20,000 (based on California prices and state and federal incentives).

In his article, Mr. Davidson reports that “consumers can reap even bigger gains if they can buy in a recession.”

In other words, solar panel systems are going on sale!

If you find great deals on solar panel in your area of the country let us know!
And, if you are interested in joining the Energy Conservation Challenge beginning in February, let us know by signing up for the “10 Simple Steps to Reduce Your Energy Costs” over on the right. We will email you about the challenge when we get the details worked out.

Image via Wikipedia

How to Choose a PV System That is Right for You

If you’re interested in a PV solar system, you’ll want to consider the following.

•    Grid-tie or off grid? If you’re in a remote area, you may need an off-grid system. If power is locally available; however, a grid-tied system will be less expensive.
•    Where should I put the panels? Take a look at your building and property. Good locations are typically an un-shaded, south-facing roof, or another open area of the property where some south-facing panels can be installed. A solar site analysis is a good investment to help you choose the best place and will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the advantages of different types and sizes of systems.
•    How will the panels be mounted? Choices include roof-mounted systems, pole mounted systems, and ground-mounted systems. Roof-mounted systems can be slightly less expensive than a pole mounted system; however, they can be less efficient if your roof does not point directly south at the proper angle. Complex rooflines can also cause undesirable shading.
•    Do the panels need to be tilted at an angle? Ideally, yes. However, if you prefer the look of flush-mounted panels on your roof, this can be done with a small decrease in efficiency. A solar site analysis can tell you how much efficiency you will lose by not mounting them at the best angle. If efficiency is of primary importance, we suggest tilting the panels at latitude and installing a pole-mounted array where you can seasonally adjust the angle of the panels to the sun.
•    What happens at night or when it’s cloudy? With a grid-tied system, you’ll just use power from the grid at night. For off-grid systems, you’ll need a battery backup or generator.
•    What size system do I need? This depends upon how much power you are using, and your budget. Customers with grid-tied systems can choose to generate anywhere from a tiny percentage of their overall energy use to ALL of their energy use. Just choose a system based upon your budget. If you want to cover ALL your power needs, then we recommend making your home as efficient as possible – that way you need a less expensive solar system.

Your energy use habits have a huge effect on your power bill. Consider the following two examples:

The “Green” family of four uses 300-kilowatt hours of electricity per month. They have energy efficient appliances, excellent insulation, solar hot water, and use a wood stove for heat in the winter. To maintain their home using only renewable energy, they spend about $25,000 for a PV system.

The “Brown” family lives in the same size home with many air leaks, no insulation, lots of inefficient appliances, and an outdated heat pump. They may spend ten times the amount that the “Green” family spent to create a net zero energy home.

Information provided by Sustainable Future, LLC.
For most current information, refer to http://SustainableFuture.biz.

Image via Wikipedia

Understanding Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems

Photovoltaic–or PV–systems use the light from the sun to make electricity. There are three ways this electrictiy can be incorporated into your home. Your home can be Grid-tied, grid-tied with battery back up, or off-grid.

Grid-Tied

With a grid-tied solar system, you can use power provided by your solar system and the local electric utility. Grid-tied systems are popular for several good reasons. First, you can install a solar system that fits your budget, even if it doesn’t generate as much power as your home or business is using. Any extra electricity that you need is provided by the grid. In addition, if it’s a sunny day and you aren’t using much power, you can feed any excess electricity generated by your panels back out to the grid. The utilities are glad to see systems such as these because they help reduce peak demands on hot sunny summer days. Many local utilities (including TVA) will buy the green power you produce at attractive rates.

Another reason for the popularity of grid-tied systems is that no large banks of batteries for backup power are needed. The only drawback to purely grid-tied solar systems is that if the power goes out on the grid, your power will go down as well, to allow workers to safety repair the line. However, if power outages are minimal in your area, you won’t be without power very often.

Grid-Tied with Battery Backup

If you’re considering a grid-tied solar system but want the ability to power critical appliances during a power outage, then a battery backup may be for you. The advantage of these systems is that if there is an outage on the utility grid, you will still be able to draw power from your backup batteries. It’s generally not practical to use a battery backup system to keep a power-hungry air-conditioning unit going during a power outage, but items such as fans and energy-efficient refrigerators are often realistic.

Stand-Alone/Off Grid System

In some remote areas, connecting a solar system to the utility grid can be cost-prohibitive or impractical. These customers generally consider an off-grid system, where the solar panels are used to charge a large bank of batteries and these batteries are then used to power all appliances in the home. Many homes that do this also use backup generators for additional power when necessary.

How to choose the system that’s right for you?

Stay tuned…Monday’s post will help answer this question.

Information provided by Sustainable Future, LLC.
For most current information refer to http://SustainableFuture.biz.

City Tour for Solar was in San Antonio, Texas, this past weekend and the annual LiveGreenFest. Thousands of locals gathered at Olmos Basin Park to be part of San Antonio’s “green scene.”

The City Tour for Solar mobile PV solar event allowed visitors to see and touch solar materials and learn solar facts.

The green scene features included:

• Earth friendly products

• Energy efficiency rebate information

• Arts and crafts from recycled materials

• Eco-art activities

• Free trees!

Go to the City Tour for Solar for the tour schedule. Maybe it’s coming to a town near you!

Solar panels at the old Pearl Brewery, San Antonio, Texas

The National Solar Tour held this weekend encouraged my resolve to use solar energy for our home. My husband and I toured several homes and businesses in the San Antonio area that incorporate solar energy.

Our thanks and appreciation goes to the generous homeowners and businesses that allowed us to trek through their yards and business spaces to view their solar energy systems.

Some homes used strictly solar PV panels. Others used solar PV panels in conjunction with a solar hot water system. Still other homes used solar PV panels with other solar technology such as solar attic fans and sun tunnels. Solar energy is not a one-size-fits-all system.

I gained a greater appreciation for the many variables going into planning a solar energy system for a home or business. Each site used solar technology that made sense for that particular site. Basic variables include how many KW of solar energy is needed, sunlight availability, and pitch of the roof.

Reputable companies work closely with homeowners to design a home solar energy system that is best for their particular home. Along the tour, we met representatives and saw PV arrays from Meridian Energy Systems, The Power Store in San Antonio (210.695.8990), and Ecowatt Design.

It was heartening to see and meet other solar energy fans out touring with us. People care about the rising cost of energy but more importantly, they care about leaving their world better. Solar energy has captured our imaginations and there’s no going back.

The comments of one couple we met sum up the attitudes of the people we met on this tour. This couple wants to add solar energy to their home. They plan to sell the home in a couple years so they won’t realize a “pay back” on the system. Yet they say “it’s the right thing to do.” When they leave that house for another, “that will be one more” solar powered home available on the planet.

God bless them!

Is it possible to create a net zero energy home by renovating an existing home?  Yes!  This 2,400 square foot house was built in the 1970s.   With a desire to live sustainably, the homeowners decided to set an energy budget of 10 kWh/day for their home. A budget of $100,000 was set for the renovation.  The budget was very roughly 1/3 for solar photovoltaics (PV) and solar hot water, 1/3 for energy-related changes such as the metal roof and new appliances, and 1/3 for other changes including the addition of a master bath, replacement of carpet with hardwood and tile, and removal of a retaining wall.

In the first year of full-time occupancy by one person the house generated over 1,500 kwh more power than it used.  So with one occupant, the home was actually better than net zero energy, it generated more power than it consumed.  Beginning in  July 2007, three additional family members moved into the house.  As of July 2008, some of the accumulated credit had been used up, but overall the home has still generated more energy than it has used.

Changes to this home are ongoing in the hope of bringing the house back to net zero energy with four occupants.  These changes include:

1. Removing all fiber insulation from attic as preparation for foam insulation
2. Adding 1×3 furring strips in attic from the soffit to the ridge vent and tacking lauan to the furring strips.  This creates an air gap from the soffit to the ridge vent for foam application
3. Adding 4 inches of foam on lauan, 3 inches of foam on gables, and 1 inches of foam flashing on ceiling (scheduled for end of September)
4. Adding a whole-house fan
5. Replacing the old 4 ton Seer 10 heat pump with a  2 ton SEER 18 unit, (mainly for humidity control)
6. Caulking and foaming air leaks reduced air infiltration  from 2300 cf/min to 1700 cf/min at 50 pascals
7. Tilting PV panels to allow for more ventilation and better winter power production
8. Tilting the solar thermal panels to 50 degrees for a winter bias, and adding more collection and storage

Information provided by Sustainable Future, LLC.
For most current information refer to http://SustainableFuture.biz