Solar powered shopbot

[jim_hansen]

Does anyone out there have a solar powered shopbot? My whole shop,and 48x96alpha, is now powered by a grid tied 10.5 kw solar photoelectric system. The solar system will provide all the electricity I use averaged out over the year, and the power company will pay me for any excess generated power. The system was activated on 10/10/08 and has produced almost 1000KWH in 23 days in SECT. Hope to run another camp in 09 to let everyone check it out. Jim

[billp]

Jim,
About eight years ago I test ran my old PR on a solar rig, but at the time I couldn't run the PC router because the surge of starting power would trip the breaker on my primitive 1200 watt Heart inverter. My current rig would probably handle it however, but it's nowhere as large as the array you're running. I'll contact you soon about getting you on the 2009 Camp schedule...

[myxpykalix]

Jim,
I'd like to hear more about your system, I've been thinking about setting up a
solar system (no i'm not God so i guess i mean a "solar" system, lol) not so much for running the bot on it but to have it run stuff when we have power outages.
How much do you have tied up in your system?
thanks

[jim_hansen]

Jack,
The system cost 77,000.00 but the CT clean energy fund paid 43,000.00 plus I get a 30% federal tax credit so my cost was around 24000,00. I put a new roof on the shop and cut down 10 trees which cost another 6000.00. My system is grid tied so automatically shuts down when the grid power goes out so as to not backfeed CL&P and screw up the auto switches.

[myxpykalix]

very cool, but end of discussion for me...lol. I'm just looking for an alternative to sitting in ther dark for 8-12 hours when we have an outage. Thanks

[dubliner]

10.5 KW, WOW!, I have a 6.5 & I thought that was big. I have 32 panels on the roof, your must be huge.

[beacon14]

jack, get yourself one of those wind-up flashlights - you'll never be in the dark - I just saved you $77,000!

[myxpykalix]

or hook up a generator to one of those stationary bicycles and pedal my butt off. MKaybe a good way to lose weight too.

[jim_hansen]

Jack you need an off grid system with batteries, my system does not make power in the dark. Neville its 48 panels a takes up the whole south roof of my 32x50 barn

[gene]

Jim,
About how long do you think it will take to re coop your investment? Will you continue to get the tax credits in the years to come? If everyone did this kind of stuff we could make a difference. What gave you the idea to do this? Hope all is good with you and your family. Gene

[jim_hansen]

Gene,my payback is seven years at todays electric rate of 0.19/KWH and I don't think those rates will go down. The 30% tax credit is one time only but anytime I save 11000.00 on my federal taxes is a good thing. I had solar hot water heat back in Jimmy Carter days and have built a couple of passive solar homes since then. I also built a solar greenhouse on the shop this summer to help heat the building, it all helps. How is Pedro? We are all good hope you are too.

[gene]

I would like to know more about the solar water heat . How does it work ? Are you having a camp this coming year ? I havent never been to Conn but would like to see the area. Pedro is fine , He sleeps alot ,but when i need him he's there and does exactly what i tell him. All is good here
Gene

[jim_hansen]

Gene We are planing a camp in the fall next year. Check out solar-components.com they have all stuff to install a hot water heater on your home it would work all year in GA