Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [solar-panels]

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

153 questions
86
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
  • 971
  • 1
  • 7
  • 5
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
  • 2
4
votes
4 answers

What hardware do I need for selling the electricity generated by solar panels to the electric company?

I understand that solar panels generate low DC voltage, and public power lines require high AC voltage. I am also aware of the device called Power Inverter which converts DC power with low voltage to (ideally same) AC power with a higher…
hkBattousai
  • 163
  • 5
2
votes
2 answers

DIY Solar Panel Install

I have a house under construction, and the electricians have installed a 1" conduit from the attic to the main panel. I have also gotten 5 quotes to install a Solar PV system around 9kW. I can purchase the same components (panels, string inverter,…
Britt
  • 239
  • 1
  • 3
  • 9
1
vote
4 answers

Solar Power for Computer Build

I am going to be trying to power my currently in progress computer build with solar power. I'm not for sure what I should be looking for power wise. I have a 1000 watt power supply that apparently is 6.5 amps I think. I'm not for sure if I should…
Dacota Thomas
  • 11
  • 1
1
vote
2 answers

What Would Cause a Solar PWM Charger to Occasionally Trigger an Inline Fuse?

I have 24v / 8a (400w) of solar running into a Renogy Wanderer Li 30A 12V PWM. I noticed that when at peak input capacity there was a chance for the in line fuse (20a) to trigger. I've added another 200w of solar with a different charger (MPPT) to…
QueueHammer
  • 241
  • 1
  • 10
0
votes
0 answers

PV system Exchange rapid shut down switch by fuses

On the roof of my stand alone garage I have 60 solar pv panels, 2 inverters with each 3 strings of panels. So there are 10 panels on each string. The installer installed one rapid shut down switch for each system with only 2 switched contacts,…
Peter van Dijk
  • 11
  • 2
0
votes
0 answers

Attempting to size grid tie solar system for 70 -80 kwh per day

Want to go grid tie mainly . (With a small back up I have already separate system ) I use less than 15kwh per day all summer max 70 kWh winter day. I can't build it all at once cost wise. I know the big part is inverter then add solar panels as I…
user147829
  • 1
  • 1
0
votes
1 answer

Solar panel setup with battery

The electricity where I live is pretty expensive at about almost 30 cents a KWh, so I'm considering setting up a solar system. I got 3 100 Watt Polycrystalline solar panels a while ago, pretty cheap. I live in the Caribbean, so I have access to a…
Rick
  • 879
  • 7
  • 20
  • 35
0
votes
2 answers

Calculating daily energy production of PV panels

From https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/ it says: "Using the example above of a 250-watt STC rated panel, if you multiply the 250 watts the panel produces by the number of hours of full sun…
user66001
  • 251
  • 3
  • 16
-1
votes
1 answer

Why is the answering machine making noise with a photovoltaic system connected to the house?

The answering machine is making noise and there is a photovoltaic system connected to the house. What can cause this?
Chris
  • 1
  • 1
-1
votes
1 answer

What are the process and considerations to get off-grid using solar panels?

Can anyone tell me what type of solar panel is considered the best for generation of power and price? I already have 3.5 KW of Solar PV on my roof which I benefit from the UK Feed In Tariff. Now I want to explore if adding the right and most…
SPlatten
  • 161
  • 2
  • 10
-1
votes
1 answer

Solar array and inverter troubles

I have a solar array on my rv and have installed a power bright 6000-12 inverter which I wired the rv supply line directly into the lugs on the front panel. I am having a problem with the inverter faulting. I checked the four receptacles on the…
Margaret Groot-Koerkamp
  • 1
  • 1