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#3943826 - 04/24/14 02:21 PM It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now?  
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(REALLY hoping this doesn't go PWEC)

Seriously. The tech has been out there for decades. If battery tech has gotten far enough to power cars, cpu's in the home are hitting 5GHz, our phones are portable and include GPS and wireless internet...why is it all houses don't get built like this by default? Cost? Why would it STILL be so costly to do it? Tax benefits aren't what I'm talking about, why isn't it commonplace? Will the houses soak up so much of the sun's radiation that we cool the planet? (not that I believe that of course) Is the battery system expensive to keep up in the long run?

I'd really like our next house to be built and as self-sustaining as possible: solar, a well, give me a concrete built house if possible and a tornado-proof safe room.
Besides, when the zombie apocalypse hits, wouldn't you like to be ready like that?

What are the cons? As much building as I see, I don't know of any builders that push that, and I don't see any new houses with that feature. Could be hard to put a value to for appraisal due to scarcity, but it can be done.


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#3943839 - 04/24/14 02:29 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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Supply / demand. Conventional electricity is cheaper up front, more convenient to install, not effected by clouds etc.


The market will determine if/when solar "takes off". Someone will probably come up with a way to make it really cheap, really easy to do and they'll become really rich in the process and the power companies will hate him/her.


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#3943850 - 04/24/14 02:38 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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I think they are real close to getting there.
Right now it's 'almost' economically viable.
If the price of electricity goes up, solar power will take off I believe.
I'm hoping they can make it cheaper and easier to hook up.
But in some locations, it might not be possible.....like a forest, with large trees and little sun getting through.... wink


"Murphy's Law"
#3943852 - 04/24/14 02:40 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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If DirecTv can do it, surely we can power some houses. LOL
If people are going to be charging their cars one day, you'd think there would be more talk about cheaper personal energy.
Not to mention states that brownout during the Summer. Seems like it would be a requirement for building in areas like that.
Sell power back to the grid or store it up with more batteries for those tough times.


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#3943858 - 04/24/14 02:53 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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Off-grid Solar Power Systems


My peak power usage is usually around August. Looking back over my August electric bills I see that I would need a 1300 Kw solar power setup. That would cost me $22,000-$26,000 up front.

I can have the local power utility connect me to their service for about a hundred bucks.


When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. ~Benjamin Franklin

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#3943864 - 04/24/14 03:01 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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I've looked at these systems, I had been considering a smaller system to power a few small chargers and perhaps some light drain AC adapter devices in my shop.

They are still expensive, though. Even buying cheap brands that seem kind of new/sketchy, the desired panel and hardware is going to run $250, and then I'll need the battery itself for another $50 to $80. Then add whatever from the hardware store for installation.

Yes, there is the "interesting" factor. But I have to face the fact that I will be investing $350 and actually saving maybe $3 or $4 per month on energy costs with such a small system. I can't justify that, so never followed up on the idea.

My house isn't full solar because that a system suitable to be 100% off grid probably would have added 10 to 15 thousand (on the low end) to it's cost. How many people's finances are happy with that?

Even so, the one couple I "know" (through the internet) who use a full service solar system live in a tiny house. 12x24 feet... with kids... and a wood burning oven (yes to cook with!). He's got a bank of 18 or so deep-cycle batteries tied to his giant solar panel array, and STILL he needs to have the electric company maintain power access. All because his solar system won't support their normal household refrigerator.


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#3943865 - 04/24/14 03:03 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Dogsbd]  
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Originally Posted By: Dogsbd
Supply / demand. Conventional electricity is cheaper up front, more convenient to install, not effected by clouds etc.


The market will determine if/when solar "takes off". Someone will probably come up with a way to make it really cheap, really easy to do and they'll become really rich in the process and the power companies will hate him/her.


+1


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3943869 - 04/24/14 03:06 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: adlabs6]  
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Originally Posted By: adlabs6

Even so, the one couple I "know" (through the internet) who use a full service solar system live in a tiny house. 12x24 feet... with kids... and a wood burning oven (yes to cook with!). He's got a bank of 18 or so deep-cycle batteries tied to his giant solar panel array, and STILL he needs to have the electric company maintain power access. All because his solar system won't support their normal household refrigerator.


In other words, it really boils down to requiring a major paradigm shift in personal behavior and consumption. A life style change for sure.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3943881 - 04/24/14 03:21 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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There's also more to it than just a single $20k+ investment. Those cells degrade over time. Weather can damage/destroy them as well as prevent them collecting light. Snow/water can cover them and make them useless even when it's clear.

Also, the cells are still far too inefficient, and one house would need a LOT of cells to just cover its needs while the sun is out, let alone to store to batteries for night time.




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#3943883 - 04/24/14 03:22 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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I have also thought about this but I think for it to take off it needs to be in the building codes.
If they pass a requirement for solar power to be mandatory in all new house builds the pricing will come down and then trickle into owners being able to afford retrofitting existing houses and buildings.


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#3943886 - 04/24/14 03:25 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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Originally Posted By: Raw Kryptonite
If DirecTv can do it, surely we can power some houses. LOL.......[edit]...


Ya know, speaking of DirecTv....they had to run a cable underground out of my fenced yard, and then through my forest to the very top of the mountain, about 200+ yards, and I had to drop two large balsa furs, for my dish to reach the satellite. The guy 'almost' refused to do it, said it was too far. I live just over the ridge on the north facing slope, and I have a hundred trees just within my fenced in yard. So I'm screwed.... rolleyes

But it's beautiful wink


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#3943892 - 04/24/14 03:31 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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And why don't we have flying cars...and why don't we all have robot maids? It was all a lie. I see that , now.


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#3943896 - 04/24/14 03:36 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: David Kennard]  
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Originally Posted By: David Kennard
I have also thought about this but I think for it to take off it needs to be in the building codes.
If they pass a requirement for solar power to be mandatory in all new house builds the pricing will come down and then trickle into owners being able to afford retrofitting existing houses and buildings.


Yep, that's what I'm getting at. We have federal regulations for auto makers hitting some average "green" rating (whatever they call it), why not our homes? Cost would come down if this would become mainstream.
I know it's very expensive to add to a house, but for new construction, it seems like getting your home even 50% solar would be a huge benefit. As for maintenance, I figured battery replacement (at least) would be a factor, but $100 every 5 years is ok for all of my cars, why not my home? No snow to deal with here, but I could see other things popping up, like mildew or leaves sticking to the cells. Still, seems like it would be cheaper to deal with in the long run than replacing the a/c, or water heater, mayabe about like an appliance.
I want to go tankless for the hot water when we start looking into the next house as well.


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#3943901 - 04/24/14 03:42 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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I have no problem with people voluntarily choosing to make their home based on solar power but what gives any government the perogative to mandate that?


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3943904 - 04/24/14 03:46 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Pooch]  
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Originally Posted By: Pooch
And why don't we have flying cars...

Have you seen how some people drive? And that's just in 2 dimensions! dizzy


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#3943906 - 04/24/14 03:47 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: arthur666]  
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Originally Posted By: arthur666
Originally Posted By: Pooch
And why don't we have flying cars...

Have you seen how some people drive? And that's just in 2 dimensions! dizzy
Flying cars would be a regulatory nightmare for sure.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3943916 - 04/24/14 03:54 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Pooch]  
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Originally Posted By: Pooch
.and why don't we all have robot maids?



I've got a couple of Roombas and a Mint...



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#3943926 - 04/24/14 04:09 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted By: PanzerMeyer
I have no problem with people voluntarily choosing to make their home based on solar power but what gives any government the perogative to mandate that?


It's for the children!!!!

wink


When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. ~Benjamin Franklin

"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." Winston Churchill

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#3943928 - 04/24/14 04:13 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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Frankly, you can argue that the gov't shouldn't be allowed to mandate anything. Of course, many of the same people who say the gov't shouldn't are all too happy when it tries to mandate morality.

So if you don't think the gov't should tell you what to buy, you also shouldn't think it should dictate who you can marry. But most people's opinions are not rational. They CLAIM to be motivated by high principles, but in reality they just don't want to be told they must or cannot do what they want while someone else is allowed to do something that they disagree with.

As a result I put no stock in anyone's self-serving opinions.



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The anteater is wearing the bagel because he's a reindeer princess. -- my 4 yr old daughter
#3943930 - 04/24/14 04:16 PM Re: It's the future, so why aren't all houses solar by now? [Re: Raw Kryptonite]  
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And PWEC here we come!


When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. ~Benjamin Franklin

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