The Louisiana Solar
Energy Society is an
educational organization formed to promote the
use of solar energy and to share information
on the subject between its members and the
public.
Economics of Solar by
Jeff
Shaw The motivation of installing solar
power in my home was not economically driven. In Louisiana, we have
cheap electricity averaging $0.10 per kilowatt hour. Solar cost more
than that. I would like you to look at my actual savings with a combination
of energy conservation and solar power.
Several things need explaining after
you take a look. I put the house on the market to sell in April 2000.
Many lights are left on unnecessarily for house showings and would attribute
to increased consumption. The system was disconnected and moved to
the new house in August. Due to other higher priority projects (like
selling the old house and remodeling the new one) the installation of the
equipment in the new house was delayed. The panel location is not
ideal at the new house. There is too much shade and the roof angles
are all wrong. I have relocated the panels three times so far trying
to achieve the best output. For example, the panels gave me 125AH
/day at the old house and 55 AH /day at the new one.
Thanks to the Tour of Solar Homes
coming to my house, I decided to relocate my panels to a first class mounting.
I purchased a UniRac top of pole mount for my 4 Solerex MSX-120 panels
and put them about ten feet above ground level. I had lots of tree
work done to open up a window to the sky from my jungle lot. I will
be taking readings and report the progress. If you want an update
then shoot me an email.