Climate change or global warming and who did it?

[Ocean1]

Why are we not seeing home units on a smaller affordable scale like what some lifestyle/bach owners have??? the answer it gives away control to the people.

Probably because they can't be made for a price consumers would think was affordable.

As for control: Meh. If you want to stick it to the man stop them supplying domestic meters that can't be run backwards, then that can be fukt generating a bit of their own can sell it back to the retailer.

[Edbear]

Probably because they can't be made for a price consumers would think was affordable.

As for control: Meh. If you want to stick it to the man stop them supplying domestic meters that can't be run backwards, then that can be fukt generating a bit of their own can sell it back to the retailer.

IMHO it's a matter of cost - benefit. We have the technology and the products to live independently of the grid and in some areas off the water supply as well. All new homes should have solar power installed with a house design that is naturally efficient. We're on mains gas for heating, hot water and cooking, so having to pay the line charge makes installing solar uneconomic.

What we will probably do whenever the 260lt cylinder dies is install a califont for hot water.

[Winston001]

Why are we not seeing home units on a smaller affordable scale like what some lifestyle/bach owners have??? the answer it gives away control to the people.

Nah, its got nothing to do with "the man". Parliament and your local power company could care less if you go off the grid. Domestic use is a pain to supply; commercial and industrial power is much easier.

I've mentioned before that friends of mine installed an off-grid electricity system for a crib which is still in place. Originally 12 years ago it was a wind turbine plus deep cycle batteries and some complex electricity inverter thingy. Plus a petrol generator.

There were always problems. Batteries failed, not enough wind, too much wind, generator out of fuel etc.

The biggest problem was actually quite subtle - low level noise from the turbine plus other noise from the propellor tips. Impossible to block out or get away from. After about 8 years they removed the wind turbine and installed a huge solar array mounted on a rotating base so it followed the sun every day of the year. Clever and silent. But not cheap.

I suspect if they'd bitten the bullet at the start and put the poles in to connect to the grid, life would have been much easier and possibly cheaper. But on the other hand they had the satisfaction of doing something different and I admire them for it.

[Ocean1]

All new homes should have solar power installed with a house design that is naturally efficient.

Yeah, just what we need, more nonsensical building compliance costs.

And of course it's a cost/benefit issue, if the cost of domestic micro-generation was less than a mains feed then it'd be common practice. It's not. At least it's not currently worthwhile, even for those of us with a viable energy source on site.

[Edbear]

Yeah, just what we need, more nonsensical building compliance costs.

And of course it's a cost/benefit issue, if the cost of domestic micro-generation was less than a mains feed then it'd be common practice. It's not. At least it's not currently worthwhile, even for those of us with a viable energy source on site.

Maybe we can get the figures on the cost? I think that if the solar system is incorporated into the design and cost of building the new home it would be worthwhile?

Of course, maintenance needs to come into play, as for example the home air-con cost doesn't mention having to replace the compressor after five or six years. Like vehicles where I look at dollars per k overall rather than just fuel economy.

[Ocean1]

Maybe we can get the figures on the cost? I think that if the solar system is incorporated into the design and cost of building the new home it would be worthwhile?

Of course, maintenance needs to come into play, as for example the home air-con cost doesn't mention having to replace the compressor after five or six years. Like vehicles where I look at dollars per k overall rather than just fuel economy.

A solar array lasts maybe 6 years last time I looked, not something you'd want to build into a house as a permanent feature. They're also environmentally dodgy.

Try starting here: http://www.energywise.govt.nz/your-h...-own-energy/pv

[mashman]

A solar array lasts maybe 6 years last time I looked, not something you'd want to build into a house as a permanent feature. They're also environmentally dodgy.

Try starting here: http://www.energywise.govt.nz/your-h...-own-energy/pv

It's 2014, not 1984. Seems that most (that I've just checked) manufacturers are offering 25 years.

It's becoming cheaper coz most of it is coming out of China and in response too many western manufacturers of solar cells are finding it impossible to compete.

[oldrider]

Nah, its got nothing to do with "the man". Parliament and your local power company could care less if you go off the grid. Domestic use is a pain to supply; commercial and industrial power is much easier.

I've mentioned before that friends of mine installed an off-grid electricity system for a crib which is still in place. Originally 12 years ago it was a wind turbine plus deep cycle batteries and some complex electricity inverter thingy. Plus a petrol generator.

There were always problems. Batteries failed, not enough wind, too much wind, generator out of fuel etc.

The biggest problem was actually quite subtle - low level noise from the turbine plus other noise from the propellor tips. Impossible to block out or get away from. After about 8 years they removed the wind turbine and installed a huge solar array mounted on a rotating base so it followed the sun every day of the year. Clever and silent. But not cheap.

I suspect if they'd bitten the bullet at the start and put the poles in to connect to the grid, life would have been much easier and possibly cheaper. But on the other hand they had the satisfaction of doing something different and I admire them for it.

True! Good post Winston.

Can't match the supply if it goes right by your house but personal satisfaction of DIY and deep pockets can be fun just the same!

[Ocean1]

It's 2014, not 1984. Seems that most (that I've just checked) manufacturers are offering 25 years.

It's becoming cheaper coz most of it is coming out of China and in response too many western manufacturers of solar cells are finding it impossible to compete.

While you're there find us a cost per unit eh?

[mashman]

While you're there find us a cost per unit eh?

I would think that they're worth their weight in gold during a lengthy power outage.

[Ocean1]

I would think that they're worth their weight in gold during a lengthy power outage.

I was without power all last Fri evening and managed exactly as well as I would have with $20k worth of solar cells.

[oneofsix]

all that panic over sinking pacific atolls as the sea rise and it turns out they float, kind of
http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/9...ing-seas-study

[mashman]

I was without power all last Fri evening and managed exactly as well as I would have with $20k worth of solar cells.

There is something to be said for not having any power... although I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea. All I'd need is enough power to fire up the hair dryer.

[SPman]

Our 4 Kw system cost around $7000. Now if they can just get the price of Lithium batteries down a bit more......

A solar array lasts maybe 6 years last time I looked,

Bloke down the road has panels 22 yrs old which are still working fine - maybe a 5-6% drop on new.

[oldrider]

Our 4 Kw system cost around $7000. Now if they can just get the price of Lithium batteries down a bit more......

Bloke down the road has panels 22 yrs old which are still working fine - maybe a 5-6% drop on new.

Don't you get substantial subsidies when you buy/install Photovoltaic cells over there? (almost anywhere except NZ, I believe?)