Solar Panel

I just had a grid tiered 2 KW solar system installed. It made @300 KWH last month or about 100 dollars worth of electricity. After all the rebates the cost is @ $1000 which means payback in about a year.

Tinting south facing windows will decrease solar gain. The biggest bag for the buck is to install insulation and a solar barrier on your roof. Painting your roof white will also lower the radiant heat. Of course new cf light bulbs and energy star appliances will help to. I shut EVERYTHING off except the fridge before I leave the house. A lot of little things can add up.

Cory, who is on this board can help you.

Tinting south facing windows will decrease solar gain.

In the summer, in the VI, the sun is to the north at Noon. In the winter, it's to the south. I would think you'd get significant improvement by tinting or shading both sides.

Here's a question, I have to get my meter's ripped out and replaced due to a bad connection inside of them (I've been working with an electrician). The cost on this is likely to be $500+ anyway. Would going to a grid tied solar system like your's Bombi somehow negate this cost as I could just get 2 net meters put in?

Sean

The net meters have to be digital. If you installed a system then WAPA would have to install digital meters. You would have to install a service disconnect to take the solar system off the grid when the lines are being worked on to prevent back feeding. You have to have the meter sockets and wiring in place.

I would also like to install solar voltaic and solar hot water. Who would you recommend on STX for an install of these systems. What do you do with the solar hot water system when I'm off island.

Doug

I had Cory of tri-state solar, he is on this board. Send him a PM. I have done hot water yet. I am evaluating a laundry at a condo to see if it cashes out. When you go off island for an extended time you should probably drain the system so mung doesn't start to grow in the collector or piping.

ckaplanek@quad-state-solar.com

Bombi is correct abut the output...about $100/month off the bill for our 2k system (at todays WAPA rate) 3-4 year payback for residential customers.

However, Bombi is referring to a commercial/business application. A Federal tax grant as opposed to a Federal Tax Credit for homeowners. The local VIEO rebate, which is the same, and a special Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (Corporate Depreciation-MACRS) Most residential customers can expect to pay an out of pocket cost of about $4000 after the federal and local rebates/tax credits. Also depends on the complexity of the job and what works needs to be done prior to installing a system, such as a blade disconnect as required by WAPA....which can be pricey when your talking 200 amp service and concrete work.

MSG me if you have any questions!

Local rebate info can be found here:

http://www.vienergy.org Click on "REBATES" on the top bar

Federal tax information can be found here:

http://www.dsireusa.org Click on US territories

http://www.ustreas.gov/recovery/docs/guidance.pdf [1]

http://www.ustreas.gov/recovery/docs/energy-terms-and-conditions.pdf [2]

http://www.ustreas.gov/recovery/docs/Application.pdf