whitewolfowner

Believe as you want as you are part of the system, therefore part of the problem while you are protected by the big corrupt liberal machine. Many of the se concerns brought forward are real and have scientific backing; I know, I am trained it in, are you?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Are you a Bernie supporter?
I am not part of any system. In fact I am a real skeptic. I am not liberal (A Trump supporter) but not a conspiracy freak. I asked for scientific proof, white papers (If you know what that is), research with repeatable results not theories, or other proof to support your wild accusations. You attack me personally rather than provide the requested proof. That is what democrats and liberals do. So you are one.
I drive a V8 Jeep, burn coal in my coal fire places (3), love to fly planes all use disapproved energy sources. I also believe in Conservation (Not Preservation). I shoot lead bullets with smoky black gun powder.
Finally, provide back-up documentation from credible sources or shut your trap and go back to taking pictures with a camera whose manufacture could be considered environmentally unfriendly. I don't know this for a fact so enlighten me if wrong.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

One other thing, you believe Mrs. O"Leary"s cow started the Chicago fire too I bet.

whitewolfowner

First of all who asked you. You stuck your nose into someone else's question, throwing accusations at me and asked me for proof. Your the exact reason I hesitate to ever try to help someone on this forum. I gave it and you can't stand it; so now you put me down, claiming to be this big government bureaucrat with his head up his ass when it comes to knowing what you are talking about. You back your claims with government BS that the real scientific world laughs at because it is so biased, ignorant and full of propaganda to push an issue. Like I said, and you seemed to miss from the beginning, I hold a degree in electronic engineering and worked in research and development in the real world. In fact part of my job was dealing with stray emissions from from new equipment, so yes, I know exactly what I am talking about as you rely on the BS the government puts out for their agenda. And it happens to be that o'bozo is pushing the hell out of solar and wind energy right now, so if you think they have any documentation opposing them, your more ignorant than the average bureaucrat. I have also had personal experiences with solar energy and have living proof from personal experiences to know that these articles I posted are dead on correct. So take your propaganda and put it where the sun don't shine. Anyone who backs and reads what I wrote, and not what you are trying to twist my words too, will realize how off you are.

One more thing, I am not a Sanders supporter, he's a communist in my book and I'm an American. I neither support the "Hag of Arkansas" and personally believe she be should be in the custody of the US justice department awaiting trial for treason and many other charges of murder and violating rules as a government employee. I presently back Trump myself (and you call yourself a Trump supporter; he just said about a month ago what a joke solar was and how there is no return for the investment, I guess you know about business than Donald).

paulie1138 Loc: Arizona

I got my money back in under 3 years! I now save over 3,500 a year. Instead of paying the utility, I bank it. Fire hazard? Where do you get your data? My father, a retired fire chief wants to call you out on that one! Panels weigh far less than most roofing materials per square foot. Themselves, will not burn!

Two! Only health hazard known, is by eating them. The shards of glass (made from silica sand) that cover the silicon crystals are....basically, more sand....will harm your stomach....lol. EMF? From Direct Current? Radiates far less than the light bulb you are reading this with, or even less than the emissions from whatever computer monitor you are using. All the wiring from the solar array is in metallic conduit, which further isolates any EMF. The inverter on the house that converts the Dc to Ac, is also shielded from EMF.

Third. As I have stated earlier, I got my total investment back in less than 3 years! ( thanks to federal subsidies, I will admit!) Like Trump or not, I would not put a lot of faith based on what he says without verifying- just saying.

Fourth. Hazard to birds? This is the first I have heard of this. I suppose I better rid my house of all windows as well. I have had bird strikes onto my windows, but not one has hit the panels. If a panel does break, all the materials are contained within. The worst of the materials that could be a hazard, will be the lead on the solder traces, and most of that has been eliminated already due to newer mandates to the electronics industry. The active ingredient is refined silica sand. We all wallow in it when we hit the beach!

Fifth. Hail damage. Mine are warranted for 3 inch hailstones at 200 mph. I do not believe I will see that here. If I do, that is what homeowners insurance is for. Yes, I have it in writing for the panels, as well as the homeowners for coverage.

Sixth. They produce even on the cloudiest of days. The worst I have been able to record, is a reduction in output by 60% when there was an extremely bad storm coming thru. They generate power whenever it is light out! I can even get trace amounts at night from a nearby streetlight. Not enough to do anything with, but they will output nonetheless, even during the full moon!

Seventh. Reduced output as they age? Every panel I researched have a minimum of 20 year guarantee to 80 % de-rating of output. I have some friends in an older neighborhood ( locals here know them as John F. Long houses) built around 1970-72. These had panels on them, and they still exceed 80% output.

Eighth. The only maintenance that is in my manual, requires me to clean the filters on my inverter once a year, and to wash the dirt off the panels as needed. So far, that has been 1-3 times a year, depending on the frequency of rain. Almost all of the solar setups here have no batteries to maintain. Buying power from the grid at night is a far cheaper alternative than battery banks. At least for now! My setup will convert to batteries if that time comes. For now, during peak power ( mid-day) even with my air conditioner and hot water tank running, I still run the meter backwards! It generates 38 amps at 220 volts Ac.

By the way, mine are stationary, tilted 23 degrees south, on a structure that doubles as shade for my camp trailer. Someday, I just might build a sun tracking if I need more power, Scotty! Since mine have already paid for themselves, (in just less than 3 years) I pay my bank account over 3,500 back every year. No, I am not wealthy nor young. Nor do I have the desire to be free from the grid. I just have done the math based on estimated data before installing, and am able to back that data up with real time production vs consumption. That, and I know I have done my part to clean the air. Lest you go on about the energy it took to make these, they produce far more energy than it took to make and install them, as well as the pollution generated making them, is also offset by the lack of coal, gas, or nuclear that I would consume. Scam or otherwise, I disagree based upon personal experience. I am not trying to debunk any of the global warming crowd, just factual information that I am not consuming near the dirty electric I once was, my bills are cheaper, and they have to be helping with keeping the air we all breathe, cleaner.

Is it for everyone? Maybe not. Your results will vary. But! I ask.....Do your research thoroughly before slamming it.

whitewolfowner

Actually, many of your sarcastic remarks to me, only show your ignorance. If you had any real scientific back ground in the real world, you would know a lot of them in all likely hood are true. It's just like when the shuttle blew up on take off with the leaky valves from the weather; several engineers that worked in industry, from all over the country, knew it would happen and tried to tell NASA. NASA chose to ignore the inevitable, probably from a bureaucrat a lot more qualified than you who had his head up his ass. I am not continuing this childishness with you, you are not worth it in my book.

I apologize to the original poster looking for advise for this flack. I have told you the facts, it's up to you if you want to do it. Good luck either way. There is more information on the internet if you want to research it further.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I directly answered the question of the poster. I commented on a lot of responses and provided some actual professional advice I normally charge for. You took it personally because I found your wild and stupid comments very misleading to the point of being criminal in fact I could be sued for such stupid comments to a client. So if you check I commented directly to the question not under your rantings. You then attacked me with more lunacy and psychotic statements of fantasy from the "Internet" (We all know you can believe everything you read on the internet). I never once supported solar as you allege. I stated that it can lower operating costs. This is an empirical fact. Likely I used words too big for you to comprehend. I do not support forcing any energy source on anybody. I do not believe in subsidies. But like Trump, if the opportunity is there might as well use it like subsidies. Trump has no problem with solar or wind, his problem is subsidies for an industry that seems to not be self sufficient yet. I do believe solar panels are running the space station. So as they learn how they can improve them the technology will get better and become more acceptable.
So much for the economics lesson, you have a real comprehension problem. You anger at not having everyone believe your jibberish has enraged you to the point of not comprehending what is actually said.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Excellent first hand response.
Thank you.

paulie1138 Loc: Arizona

Thanks, Architect. I am not trying to get in the middle of what is going on. I started my write up earlier to reply to another poster, and just got back to finish, and posted it in the middle of the commentary. I will agree there is a lot at stake with alt. energy, but we, as a whole, cannot continue to pollute at the levels we have been without there being consequences somewhere. For me, it just made economic sense. It was madness to continue paying the kind of bills I have been paying. I have done all the realistic upgrades to my house ( better Windows and doors, insulation....etc). I was at the point that the only way to do better power-wise, was to level the house and start over. I bought here in 1993. Since all my upgrades, I cut my power needs by 60%. But.....my annual bills have remained the same.....until I added solar. Now, I am building a heating system ( for hot water, and heating) that will further reduce my power use.
Thanks for listening, all.

And...please, to all the posters, we are all in this together, so let's try to be helpful!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I actually saved your commentary in case I am asked by a client on savings to add to my file. Thank you. I am neutral on power as it is all still necessary to keep the country operating.
Again, congratulations on your success and as far as radiation of electromagnetic waves etc. they are less than the natural earth emissions and of wavelengths in the 100's which is less than your toaster and nearly impossible to detect unless you have sophisticated testing equipment and can remove all the other larger intereference that naturally occurs.

Brian in Whitby Loc: Whitby, Ontario, Canada

I suspect any EMF would be there anyway just by having electric wiring in the house. Whether it is genrrated by the solar panels or the standard power utility company electricity makes no difference. BTW: computers generate EMF too.

SHUTERED Loc: SO. CAL.

I and my son live in So. Cal. I believe everyone here is discussing the buy option. No one has said anything here about the lease option. Yes it is true that the company installing them will reap the profits but so does the homeowner. Basically for a drastically reduced and guaranteed monthly billing rate, for 20 years, the homeowner locks in a guaranteed rate. All risk is on the installing company, including output, cleaning and all maintenance. The homeowner receives an annual check for surplus kilowatts at the end of the year and in the remote chance of a short fall the installing company must pay the shortfall. My son has been enjoying the benefits for 3+ years now. I'm not. Reason that at my advanced age it's dubious to say at the least, that I will be around another 20 years and too many people still don't want to accept a lease made by someone else, regardless of benefit, on a house they are buying.

ollie Loc: Ogdensburg, NY

we live in northern New York and have not paid for electricity since installing rooftop panels a year ago. we pay a monthly line charge around $17 and that's it. we even use an electric hot water heater. Our roof exposure is SE but we're still generating power as the sun sets over Canada ( I said we are in northern NY) The government incentives picked up a good portion of the initial cost and a tax incentive helped pay another portion when we filed our taxes this year. The incentives probably vary from state to state but whomever you contract with should have all that information as well as your breakeven point.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Yes indeed, I jumped onto a PPA plan with Solar City - zero cost, efficient & professional installation, pay only monthly for the power generated at a reduced cost as there is no delivery fee added on per kWh.

I looked and looked before signing for a scam - could not find it. 23 Panels on the roof generating power most everyday, even on cloudy days.

The internet is a dangerous place filled with bad /false information - takes time & patience to wade thru it sometimes :)