tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post3264474855875047315..comments2023-09-29T18:37:14.377+10:00Comments on Eight Acres: Is it worth installing grid-connected solar panels?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-17916676757861498802012-12-29T04:16:53.733+10:002012-12-29T04:16:53.733+10:00Thanks for all the advice. I think it could actual...Thanks for all the advice. I think it could actually save a lot of money buy getting <a href="http://skylineenergyusa.com/index-2.html" rel="nofollow">residential solar panel installation in Los Angeles</a>. What if there is no sun for a while though, how long do they stay charged?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13851034654853645920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-44825029388112985942012-02-01T11:31:31.150+10:002012-02-01T11:31:31.150+10:00Its true that there are some environmental benefit...Its true that there are some environmental benefit BUT some fundamental changes to our electricity network and market are required to really make a difference. As it stands, extra renewable energy feeding into the grid means that the baseload coal stations (80% of Australia's electricity is generated by coal) are required to run at partial load, which is less efficient. This means that they produce more CO2 per MWh generated. I think I need to write a more detailed post on my thoughts on this topic!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874273438983052621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-18790820615715922932012-01-29T21:53:49.153+10:002012-01-29T21:53:49.153+10:00We thought about solar but our normal usage is onl...We thought about solar but our normal usage is only 7kwhs per day at the moment for the 2 of us which I am told is pretty low considering we run pumps for the house, I work on the computer 5 days a week from home and have air con in the office at home that I use during summer.Fiona from Arbordale Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05196630415124998431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-9451700444204427232012-01-29T18:45:06.499+10:002012-01-29T18:45:06.499+10:00Thanks Leanne for your comment about the woodlot. ...Thanks Leanne for your comment about the woodlot. That's really interesting, and not something I had considered so I'll bear it in mind.<br />Cheers,<br />EmmaEmmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10894865592266996002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-6513208264705668032012-01-29T11:18:12.685+10:002012-01-29T11:18:12.685+10:00We live in Melbourne where our power comes from bu...We live in Melbourne where our power comes from burning coal. Six months ago we made the decision to install panels. Yes, the pay back period is long. But money is only one factor in making the decision. We sleep well at night knowing that our 'investment' though not financially prudent is right for the environment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-40541484778852523692012-01-29T05:35:22.094+10:002012-01-29T05:35:22.094+10:00Hi Liz - Yeah, we only moved in two years ago, and...Hi Liz - Yeah, we only moved in two years ago, and so far it's been fencing and other priorities chewing up our budget (keeping in stock sort of takes priority!).<br /><br />This year is putting in the woodlot and wood stove, plus a lot of general landscaping, and removal of a pool (outdoor pool in Dunedin - sheesh!). <br /><br />Doing the calculations for solar, it's just not worth the money for us. We're on 100% green tariff for our electricity anyway, so I'm pretty happy with where we stand environmentally. But the woodstove will make a HUGE difference to our costs.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497683565965322222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-33613054008808271472012-01-28T19:53:59.768+10:002012-01-28T19:53:59.768+10:00We also thought about installing the solar panels,...We also thought about installing the solar panels, but so far, think we shall put it on hold... we are also using a woodstove and we enjoy cooking with it so much... no electricity required, just efforts on my part to chop wood...Lrong Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-53882515257675009182012-01-28T19:47:40.909+10:002012-01-28T19:47:40.909+10:00that's really interesting Leanne, we also have...that's really interesting Leanne, we also have a wood stove that we cook on and that saves us heaps in winter.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874273438983052621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-33214653856993443762012-01-28T18:59:48.223+10:002012-01-28T18:59:48.223+10:00Just seeing the comment above (Emma), we looked in...Just seeing the comment above (Emma), we looked into the cost of solar panels and wind turbines, and their efficiency in New Zealand where we are (near Dunedin, south island), and found that the best way to cut our electricity was to put in a wood burner and a small woodlot (200 trees).<br /><br />We've got 3 acres, and with 200 trees (can fit on about 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre, depending on spacing), we'll be self-reliant in wood.<br /><br />As most of our electricity goes on heating, that's the best way to cut our bills.<br /><br />Sure, it's not being independent, but as the stoves we're looking at will cook as well as heat, it's good enough for a "rainy day scenario" for us. And a lot less costly.<br /><br />In the end, it sounds brutal, but it comes down to dollars. A wind setup to enable us to be independent was going to cost us over $50K, and a solar setup over $20K. We can do a woodstove plus trees for less than $3K.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497683565965322222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027191706980748713.post-75118911833949841732012-01-28T18:51:36.090+10:002012-01-28T18:51:36.090+10:00Hey that's interesting. I didn't realise y...Hey that's interesting. I didn't realise you could feed electricity back into the grid. I wonder if it's the same case in NZ.<br /><br />I've often wondered about solar panels, but it does seem a bit pointless if they get switched off when you would most want them to work - ie. a power outage.<br /><br />I'm sure someone with clever electrical skills could rig some kind of switch so that in a black out they got turned off from feeding back into the grid, but still fed your house or ran a generator or something. <br /><br />I quite like the idea of wind turbines - appropriate for Wellington. If we ever buy a bit of land, I would look into installing a wind turbine to help us move towards being off-grid too.<br /><br />Either way, it's cool that your work pays for your power and you still put all this thought into generating your own power.Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10894865592266996002noreply@blogger.com