We went with a 10kw system because that is the largest *canned* program from the government for rebates and coincidentally, about the most we could spend. or more... It's a semi-complicated system, because we have three phase coming into the building, so we have three dc/ac inverters converting the panel dc into three phase ac. We have no battery back-up, just use the system to offset some of our consumption. The power company just installed our solar specific meter yesterday. On a workday, we are still using grid power, but offsetting between 1/4 and 1/3 of our consumption. On weekends, meter should be going backwards with all lights off, no HVAC and just server and desktops running for remote access. Total cost was somewhere around $75,000, but there were excellent rebates. Due to the state requiring x percentage of the power company's power to comer from renewable resources and their inability to actually get that infrastructure online themselves, they buy the solar credits from me. Worked out to $42,000 or so in rebates, plus there are some fed tax credits. Still not a cheap date, nor does it cover all of our needs, but it is a step in the right direction. I'm willing to field any and all questions to the best of my knowledge.
Bill Cardell TurboDog's Dad www.flyinmiata.com www.fmwestfield.com orders 1-800-FLY-MX5S Before you call our tech line (970.464.5600) please check out the FAQ <http://www.flyinmiata.com/FAQ/> section of our website Don't miss Flyin' Miata's Open House! Aug 14-17, 2008 ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Robert McElwee Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 12:07 PM To: Keith Tanner Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: NPC: OK, I get it now. Gas prices are high! I'm going to hijack my own thread and take this time to ask you about the panels. The last time I did any research it looked like it would cost me $70,000+ for panels and electronics (I do not believe the installation or batteries were included) to get off the grid for around 8-10 months out of the year. I know the AC really kicked the kW in the nuts but I cannot remember what the heat did. Can you, if you don't mind, shed some light on the costs and any additional info on your panels? I might also suggest that FM might want to put an info page on its site about them. It would be pretty interesting and financially probably a good decision based on the new "green attitude" a lot of your customers may now have. On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 1:59 PM, Keith Tanner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Looks like the FM solar panels are kicking out about 7.5 kW right now. Keith Tanner -- Robert McElwee and Blue Flash "The 50 MPG Miata" www.lightweightmiata.com/mpg Lightweight Miata Forum: www.lightweightmiata.com/forum The Miata Trailer Project: www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer
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