is solar power worth it? an analysis 12 years after installation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2020
- Is solar power worth the cost? Our photovoltaic array has been operational for 12 years, and I have "real world" data on its performance. In this video I explain the system components, how much it cost to have installed, how much electricity it has made and how long it will take to recoup the installation costs. I also cover maintenance of the system and the expected lifespan of the components.
website: justafewacres.com/
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email: peterelarson3@gmail.com
To order Pete's book; "A Year and a Day on Just a Few Acres:" www.amazon.com/Year-Day-Just-...
Sir, you have the knack for presenting things in an organized and relatively non-biased way. Well presented.
I couldn't agree more!
This has been the best solar related video I’ve ever seen.
Ditto
late me have your company address
Agreed x¹⁰
Sure
yes
It's just like stories your dad tells you😎
not like just more school material😭
Pete, if you were not a small acre farmer you would make a terrific school teacher. You make every topic so interesting and informative.
apart from the real value of his demonstration, how pleasant to listen to him: almost no "ahhh, i mean ahhh" a clear sign 1-he knows what he is talking about and 2-he thinks before talking -WELL DONE Mr Larson
he believes in what he says.
You are who everyone should have as a teacher. Between how you break down complex subjects so even people new to the subject can understand the essentials and your personality you are by far one of my favorites and I only have watched two of your videos.
My solar panels and batteries was worth every penny back in February during the big freeze here in Texas. I had electricity when many did not.
Thats republican views for you!
one of the few people welcoming those in their home with masks being worn all the time.
@@MistressOP what's a mask?
Yes - solar power is a godsend in parts of the country that lack reliable infrastructure. Of course, this is a growing concern throughout the US as we revert to a sub-first-world country under neo liberalism.
Could have done that same thing with a natural gas generator, for a fraction of the cost!
I live on a yacht. I make my own electricity with 2 solar panels and a wind generator. I'm off the grid. My only bill is a phone bill.
Cheers Gray
Australia
Jealous!
@@ronniepryor6610 I bought an old yacht for $4,000. I purchased second hand solar panels for $40 each.
I live on the age pension.
Ive wondered forever why braindead sailors seem so backwards. Especually when we have flexible solar sells now. Theres zero reason most of your deck shouldnt be solar plus towed and wind generators. Then again these folks will pay 10k for a 1k item because it says nautical on it
@@cdreid99999 sad you need to put others down. I hope it makes you feel superior as you probably are. My solar panels cost me $40 each. I am considering some flexible solar panels. I wish you well. Cheers Gray Australia
Does the sound of the wind generator make you want to take hostages? Do you use a hydrogenator when underway?
Easiest way to determine the correct angle to the sun is placing a small soup can on the face of the panel. Tilt the panel up or down until the shadow of the can disappears. No shadow equals best angle to the sun.
Well I’ve never heard of that one but it makes really good sense. Thanks for sharing.
I'm nicknaming this "the soup can at high noon" trick. What an easy way to align your solar panel.
@Hury Springer Can you be more of a prick to people? I feel like you are holding back your superiority.
Only instantaneously. The sun will move and the best angle will move with it. So you need the average best angle.
Also best for what? If you have net metering like the video then its total power output. But if like most places you buy electricity for more than you sell it then you want to optimise for time of day.
Basically soup cans are dumb and you should feel bad
Two other points I should have added to the video:
1. Although our photovoltaic system is not a money-maker, we installed it because renewable energy is something we think is important (Hilarie and I). I think that too often in our world, decisions are made solely on their economic merit without considering the greater good or creating a better world. Our decision can also be thought of like this: some people choose to buy motorhomes, boats, ATV’s, pools, or expensive vacations every year. The cost of these things can equal or exceed the cost of our solar power. Instead of spending money on these things, we chose to invest in our photovoltaic system.
2. When I was an architect I specialized in energy efficient building design. Renewable energy like solar electricity is the most expensive aspect of reducing your utility bill. It is best considered after you have done all you can to reduce your energy consumption by adding insulation, using efficient appliances, and orienting the building to capture solar energy (passive solar design).
Good points 😁👍
Thanks for the rundown of your PV system. I suspect home scale PV rarely makes sense on the dollars alone. But there are other factors that make it worthwhile. I consider distributed generation, resiliency, and enjoyment of the technology to be intangibles that are valuable.
Thank you for your content. I really appreciate it! Keep it up!
Well, you are a sun farmer after all. 🤔
If you wanted to start small and have your system grow as you go along, what does that look like? A few panels, a few batteries and as large of an inverter and controller as you can afford?
Or does it all have to be matched.
I love it! This guy is precise and concise and very informative. He knows his stuff too.
He is also an excellent speaker , no pauses & great diction.
...once he gets to point, around 6:43
He is old school bro..no comparison wd today's only money oriented generation
Mr. Larson, thank you so much for this level headed, informative and honest presentation. Your video is very good.
One way to increase your electric production would be to cool your panels. The heat that is removed will ensure more peak performance from your panels and if you had an earth battery, you could store the heat for home heating in winter. Heat collection is the best way to produce much much more energy from those precious drops of sunlight. Doing more with less is the key to furthering the success of solar energy installations, in my view. Great video by the way, I really enjoyed it!
Of all the videos I’ve seen on TH-cam this was arguably one of the most clear and concise ones yet. Across all topics. Wonderful job explaining how it works and how the costs have fit in for your case.
You`ve said the same thing on every video on TH-cam about solar....
@@baneverything5580 what the hell are you talking about
6.6 kWh in Australia installed $3900 AUD, my payback is about 2 years.
Did you install it yourself? What company/brand did you use? Grid or off-grid?
@BigWheelGolf No about 0.39 AUD ie 39 cents which is expensive.
@@lliaolsen728 To get it for $3,900 Au he had to have everything ideal.
A roof suited for the Installation straight onto the roof and an up to date Main Power Board/Box.
If you have an older setup expect to spend $500 to $1000 on the Box etc?
There is a subsidy system in Australia run by the Federal Government.
All big Industrial Users and Generators must increase the amount of Renewable Energy they use or produce each year. They can do it themselves or buy Credits off the Government which they pass on to people installing Solar.
At present I think it works out about $2,600 Au for a 6.6kw Domestic system.
So in reality his system cost about $6,500 Au.
His Solar is now credited to the Generator. It will be an on Grid System to get the subsidy.
That is one of the cheaper offers but uses Tier1 Panels and probably a Medium quality 5Kw Inverter.
About 6.6 kw Panels will never deliver more than 5Kw.
Installed by Professionals. No choice to get connected to the Grid. Against the Law even off Grid with over 400v DC and the Inverter delivering 220/240V.
For excess power produced he will get about 10cents a kwh. He will probably pay about 29cents per kwh for Grid power used. Our power costs are high???? Plus we have where I live a flat $30 charge per month to be connected.
All in Au$s. An Au$ is about 72cents US now. Varies, a few years ago more than a US$.
In Australia we would never get away with some of the sloppy wiring I see in the USA. Some might but I don't like there chances. On Grid never. The final step is an Electrician comes from the Distributor and installs the new Meter. There main concern is for maintenance guys working on Distribution lines. The last thing they want is some Solar System feeding 220/240V back into local lines. All inverters are designed to stop Solar power from delivering to the Grid if there is a power cut but every installation has a sealed Fuse Link in the exterior box so they can manually isolate the Solar Systems from the Grid if they need to do that. I imagine all transmission line workers now double check before they do any work on lines.
We have no Tax Credits on Domestic installations.
A Business can write off there actual cost of installation on there Tax Return. Not sure how long. Maybe over 5 years. I think they also can get a Credit of up to $10,000.
It has become very competitive here and the Contractors very efficient.
There has to be room for the USA to get more efficient. After all most of the Panels come from China and most Inverters. Some pay more for a German inverter.
I simply do not understand why the USA is so much more expensive overall.
Maybe here it is due to having one simple Australia wide system administered by the Federal Government.
In most areas that includes the new Meter. That is up to your Regional Distributor.
I paid $5,500 Au last year. A more difficult roof and Power Box modifications.
Saves me about $1,200/1,300 per year.
Not a 2'year pay off time. More like 5/6 with the present interest you earn on money in a Bank.
Panels have a 25year Warranty and Inverter 10 years.
@@lliaolsen728 as he said, 12 years old. improved stuff since then. manufacturer has probably changed name/ownership several times since then. he showed you, he feeds into and off the grid automatically as required. Setting steel posts and frame in the ground is a basic farmer DIY thing. Farming is not from the couch. all you ask is 90% of the video. try listening.
The governments in Australia tend to support solar. I got grants and then the remainder was an interest free loan. It makes a huge difference to places where the government doesn’t assists or outright fights people
I really appreciate your straightforward, no bones about it style. This was great. And.. I appreciate what you did.
That was the best and simplest honest explanation of solar I have ever seen. Thank you.
Terrificly informative video. You demystify what, for many, may be the voodoo science behind whether a solar panel system is worth the money. You're well-spoken, your editing is efficient, and you have convinced me to once again look at putting in a grid-tied system on our commercial honey operation. We use a tremendous amount of summer power in our extracting facility - we need to keep honey warm but not hot while processing - so a solar system makes sense. Thanks again!
Here in Chile we pay about 18 cents per kwh. I'm installing a 3.2 kwh offgrid system and not going back to the grid. Nice vid .
Great idea. I want to install in Chicureo, wld love to visit ur system for guidance, if u permit me to. Tks nathanchile@yahoo.co.in
I'm thinking you mean "3.2kw system", correct? You are using the wrong electrical term.
@@noguruespanol i allready did. Now with my a/c amwo 14000 btu running all day i have very pleasant summer. I'm spending about 7-10 kw/h per day. I'm using a Voltronic axpert vm3 5 kw inverter, and 10 24 volt 380 watt solar panels. Peak perfomance is about 3.77 kw/h. Really happy with them. I need the inverter to work for 2.5 years to pay it.-Everything else after that is my profit (only in the inverter).
All panels are conected in series.
@@ronalddump4061 mmm not sure. But as i said before i can generate 3.77 kw/ hour....not being to technical , tha'st all i need to know. Cheers.
Sir..you are one genuine gentleman.No uhmms and errs ..spot on down to the point.Thank you.
With a voice like that you should be on the BBC or the US equivalent.
Greetings from the UK
This person seems to provide the most unbiased evaluation I have seen.
Thank you for the very informative video.
I’m in my early 60’s now. We put an 8.2 kW grid tied system on our roof with a 7.0 kW sunnyboy inverter in 2014. We have averaged 8,490 kWh annually over the last six years. Works out to about 60% of our total average annual electricity usage, even though we live in the Seattle area. Our heavy electrical usage includes an electric heat pump plus two battery electric automobiles, which limits our usage of natural gas to the back up furnace and tankless hot water heater and frees us from having to use any gasoline at all.
We decided to install our PV system when we did when there were still some incentives and tax breaks left. Also, we had kept putting it off because of hearing the news that new technology was just a few years out. But if waited any longer, we would be too late to benefit from solar. Like you, we looked at our solar system not as a money making endeavor, but as a way to do the right thing. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions saved while generating electricity along with the waste of burning a valuable oil based commodity and it’s associated pollution is worth the extra expense for our PV system and electric cars.
@@lolwtnick4362 Hello sir. I was wondering why you have such a negative opinion of the energy usage changes I have made over the last couple of years. I replaced a 30 year old low efficiency gas furnace with a high efficiency heat pump and back up gas furnace, a 10 year old gas hot water heater with a high efficiency on demand tankless gas water heater, incandescent light bulbs with high efficiency LED lights, and 2 gasoline powered automobiles with 2 battery electric automobiles. I also added the grid tied 25 year plus PV system generating 60% plus of our annual electrical usage. The production of, life cycle and end of life costs of the new equipment are equivalent to or lower then the replaced equipment. Reduced emissions from the new heating equipment, along with no gasoline emissions and no toxic oil changes are all a small step in the right direction. I never said I was single handedly saving the planet. That would require everyone working together to make the big changes needed. Do I feel good that I tried to make some positive changes while I still can, yes. May I ask you what changes for a better environment are you making? Please share them. Thank you for your opinion.
We had 34 panels put up exactly a year ago filling our north and east facing roof space (in Queensland, Australia). Total 11.2 kw with a 10kw/h inverter. In summer we generate up to 65kw/h in a day. In winter up to around 35kw/h. The cost was around $15,000AUD but it has saved us over $3000 in one year so payback will be just 5 years.
We bought an electric car last October and have run both the car and home from solar.
3 months ago we invested in a Powerwall (cost $12,000AUD). This will not pay for itself but that wasn’t the point.
Our hot water system was gas using LPG 45kg cylinders with a new cylinder about every 6-7 weeks. Last month we replaced this with an electric heat pump boiler at a cost of less than $4000 which will save us around $900 per year in LPG.
We are close to self sufficient on energy now. Big investment.......but worth it in my view. Like you we chose to spend our money this way rather than on annual holidays, eating out, expensive clothes etc.
dont do much in way of financial analysis do you?
nice you have money to splash around to fell good but pretty irrelevant to 90% of the population as an example
yarpos If the 10% of the population that can afford to do this stuff are persuaded to do so then that is at least a decent start. It does actually make financial sense as a personal investment too.
Many of these things should be in building codes for new housing. Why aren’t they? Zero energy bills for people living in such homes would be a great boon for many with lower incomes wouldn’t you say?
Of course we could have splashed our cash on cruises, eating out, gambling or drinking as many I know do. Would you consider such spending worthwhile or is the whole issue you have that some people have some money. By the way we are in our 60s and only started to get ahead once the mortgage was paid off a decade ago so I know all about having no spare cash.
payback allready to have free energy you did not pay 3000 year anymore. you could have bought car and spend money on gas LOL
The reality is, the future is nuclear power... We just don't have enough land to rely purely on renewable energy. The science and the maths are in - and have been for years - nuclear is the cleanest way to generate massive amounts of power. Without it, we're stuck burning coal, oil, or gas for the majority of the planet.
@@CRCinAU we not need use power more and sex should be come illegal xD
Loved his Down to earth, common sense presentation. Seems like a lovely man that you want to be neighbors with.
Good video - nice to hear the history and results / tradeoffs etc... Glad you took the time to do it.
As an electrical Engineer i’m happy to see someone who actually tells the truth. So many times I hear about this grandiose solar system that is going to solve all the problems. And I just laughed. You’re a good guy
the point is - modern technology proves him wrong
i've yet to hear anyone in the renewables field say the only solar is the answer, only detractors try and push that silly idea. its always part of the solution.
Did you even take the time to watch the video? He speaks positively about his system, while you appear to have doubts about solar. I like to say to naysayers "If you think it's impossible or impractical, please get out of the way of those of us actually doing it".
So it's going to take 25 years to pay for itself. Not that many people will be in the same home for that long. Even the new systems with a 12-year paybacks is a long time. Net metering is something the electric companies hate and will continue to fight. The incentives are here now but might not be there tomorrow. Best to move into a house that already has it up and running. I wonder what the efficiency of a battery connected to the system would be. Probably not that good and would extend the payback time out a few more years.
@@paulmaxwell8851 I'll get out of your way as soon as you stop expecting me to fund your virtue signaling projects. Figure out the payoff without any of my tax money financing your system. What? All of a sudden it isn't financially sustainable? That means solar is currently a waste of (my) money.
Your videos never disappoint as always. Your content is very well researched and put out. Thank you for the effort. Greetings from Kenya.
Pete, I am in awe. I believe you would be a success in any endeavor you chose.
The best most concise no bullshit video on this subject for the rural potential user. We're getting the hell out of Kalifornicate to a rural mini farm in the SE and this answers all the questions I have. Bravo!
Using these for power would be an interesting long term investment for the ginseng farms in Wisconsin. There are thousands of acres of farmland that are covered with shade cloth in order to grow ginseng - just imagine if they were covered with solar panels instead.
wow
yes you should use solar for low light plants
there have beensignificant developments in the Agri-PV area. I know 1 company called BayWa r.e. seems to have done a lot in the space
I suppose if sludge ponds and effluent waste ponds don't require sunlight to bake the tops then you could design in the pole structures into the waste ponds before using them , place the panels , wire it up and then fill the ponds with the stinky stuff, have a cat walk over the ponds to service the panels.
I think the best reason to go solar is to be self sufficient. I don't have to worry about the grid going down. Nice job on the video. Thanks!
David Armstrong Exactly
Great. But what happens to it if there’s a Carrington event again? Not trying to b a smarta$$ just wanting to know. Thanks
@@auntym4729 If we had a EMP or CME it would likely destroy part of my solar system and render it unusable until repaired. I currently don't consider it enough of a risk to justify spending the money to buy a backup system and put it in a Faraday cage to protect it. Thanks!
The wealth is in the land. Thanks for the best short presentation on solar I have seen.
I’m so happy that there are good people that do this type or things considering also how good it is for the environment
The way I see it, you paved the way for manufacturers to determine there was a market and how best to make it cheaper to produce. It all starts with the people like you getting on board with it early that allows the less fortunate the opportunity to have their own. Great video, subscribed.
Yes and it will only get better as time goes on!
Hi Pete!
How many acres u have in your farm!!
Thanks being 62, I see it's not worth me wasting my money, good information .
I like the fact that he's not giving you biased information/suggestions about solar panels
Loved the video. My wife and I just moved onto 40ac and had a long debate what to do. At 70 were slowing down. I do a Lot of work in the shop with electricity welders and other items. I spend on average 6-8 hrs a day there. We thought it would be cost prohibitive to put in solar. $17000 for power, hope we didn't make a mistake. Thankyou
how has this worked for you? thinking about it for myself.
I've had my system for 3 years,I've had absolutely zero problems with it, my house is total electric including my heat and air conditioning and all my electricity is free. I have a $1200 credit right now on my electric bill. This spring here in Texas we had a couple storms with large hail and my solar panels got no damage whatsoever. Getting solar installed was an excellent decision.
Would you mind sharing how many years to break even?
Time to have an electric car
@@feras5017 Yep, save the environment by buying a brand new expensive car. Or save it twice as hard and buy 2 teslas!
Thank you for investing in this system 12 years ago, people like you are the reason why the costs have come down and the technology improved.
I like this video. Honest. Objective. Good intentions. We need more humans like this guy 😊
Best point made, “ you should do what works for you”. For me, seems there are a few places, off grid etc. Twenty five years ago I installed solar. The system lasted 15 years, and from my experience (for me), would never do it again. Not at all cost effective for me. Just listened to a guy in the Northern climate share his analysis. Pretty new, but he didn’t convince me it was cost effective. Not sure he was convinced. I like you, believe unproductive land might be ok, but good, beautiful, and productive land ...ugh. The new marketing is similar to what it was 25 years ago. The pitch, one size fits all is a scam! I enjoyed your honesty 😀
"Cost effective" is a relative concept. Our system cost $20 K - and the minute the array was energized, the house was worth $20K more. We generate more than we consume - so our electric bill dropped to the $9 monthly "service charge" for the privilege of being hooked up to the grid. In our situation, the install has been EXTRAORDINARILY cost effective - it's already paid for itself and promises to keep our ongoing costs next to nothing, and trust me, we make use of our AC. What's not to love?
@@godfreydaniel6278 Godfrey Daniel.. I wouldn't mind it in a field but I would never buy a house with it installed on the roof. What an ugly eye sore for a neighborhood and a big additional expense when replacing the roof or the under payment on a tile roof. Solar would lower the value a great deal for me.
@@josephjakubec3171 - I guess I forgot to say you can't see our array from ground level, and it's mounted without penetrating the roof - our roof is flat (a pueblo revival home) with a perimeter parapet that blocks the sight-lines of the array. The array is at a low angle, and a clever system of interlocking concrete anchors holds it in place. We just had 70 mph winds - and nothing budged...
Here in Tennessee, TVA power area, they fight solar. They pay $0.03 per kwh you produce. Then they charge you $0.08 to use it. They make money off your system. It also makes it totally impractical. You'd have to have 3 times more solar output just to break even. If you don't keep your house hooked to light and power you'll lose your building permit, that keeps anyone from going off-grid. I'm actually fixing to contact some high profile lawyers. I don't see how this can be legal to force you to pay a separate entity or our local government will punish you.
That really stinks. Apparently it's just Tennessee, Alabama, South Dakota, and the Marianas Islands that don't have either net metering (almost everywhere) or a similar system (a few places). Contact your state congress representatives - they're usually a lot more responsive than the national ones.
The difference is unless you get a ton of batteries and disconnect yourself, you pay them to offset your grid costs when you produce, and pay for your power when you don't have production. Those aren't free services - the first requires the distribution network and a big turbine to dump heat into when there's too much power, the second requires a natural gas plant to spin up when your panels are done for the night. Having some panels doesn't mean you automatically get the market rate for power unless government specifically passes a law for that, and states that have are scaling back their solar net-metering schemes because they are too expensive and not as effective as say just plowing the same money into wind. Rooftop PV is inherently inefficient for government to subsidize, compared to the other renewable options. Especially in the Appalachians.
@@billheughan637 the power I produce is used up within less than 500 feet from my home. I pay $19.60 per month access fee that's supposed to be for equipment upkeep like transformers and lines. So your argument is debunked
@@Bryan-Hensley That's...not how the grid works. On top of regular maintenance and upkeep, the frequency of your AC is stabilized by a distant power station, and your power contributes along with a mix of other generators (and backups). Since you live in the TVA region it's likely a bunch of dams and natural gas. When your panel starts to sag in the afternoon as the sun sets, other sources have to be ready to step in which means a standby fee.
The only way you get away from these costs is to go off-grid completely. Otherwise you're asking other people to chip in to help your bill. Which is fine and some states have done that with net metering, but lets be clear about it.
@@billheughan637 wrong. My inverters synchronize with the grid. You obviously don't know shit about solar. You aren't even getting basic 101 right
This is the smartest farmer I've ever seen!
Pet, I have got to come visit with you. You have a great way of explaining the working of the system and the validity of the pay backs
Nice presentation easy to understand and honest no sales pitch thank you.
We should all be doing this. You should be proud of what you've achieved, especially at a time when other people probably thought you were wrong to do it. You have also presented it so well on this channel that you make a very compelling argument. Top work Sir, top work indeed.
@Semper Fi I will do it for myself. I'm developing my design now. Why are you telling me to let everyone decide for themselves - why is that in doubt? Of course they can decide for themselves. I don't understand your point.
Just please don't buy Chinese PVs. The pollution they produce more than offsets you feeling better about using solar.
We should all have solar panels...sounds like liberal talk. That's not welcome in this part of the country. With that said, I want some too 🙃
@@albieoval1657 why are you bringing politics into this? You're jumping to a conclusion that I have some ulterior motive. I have no agenda whatsoever, other than a desire for cheap, low carbon energy for my home!
@@JJ-zg1hh Biden vs Trump. Renewable energy is a big deal. One side believes we should have renewable energy and the other side doesn't. That's why I brought it up silly buns.
I love your way of thinking and caring for the planet.
@AvengeVoltaire I paid mine off in 4 years, at a cost of $10 Australian a week . 6.6 kw system
Fabulous information! I am in my first year on 17 acres and enjoying your vids.
Clear on details, simple explanation of the terms, and concise analysis of cost to gains. Thanks!
This is an outstanding video, it addresses directly questions I've had regarding my small off-grid system. Thanks so much and God Bless.
you THINK SO???
Why should I take this on imm paying this? Let the feds take the risk
Grid tie in is like a perfect battery one for one. We got micro inverters. It paid for itself fast... Missouri and fed subsidized and I did it myself. Diy saved over $10k
Paying someone else to design and install is where so much of the cost is. I don't fault them for making a living, but I have to take the DIY path -- much cheaper, plus I like knowing the details of the system.
@@PeterLawton I had 3 micro inverters go out I replaced them myself under warranty, if I had someone else do it warranty would not pay labor....so diy and knowing your system can really pay out
I love hanging out with Pete.
What a wonderfully produced video. Excellent work. Thank you for making this.
I like your adjustable mounting system. I am tempted to try it in my back yard here in Texas but hesitant because of our high winds and tornados.
The wiring, (so sloppy, rotten wood housing for disconnect, no plumb or level for hardware, ugly). I won't install until all photo, voltaic capacity is incorporated into roof tiles, paint and perhaps day light panels. All the steel accumulated for support detracts from the biologic layout of your lovely property as in aesthetics, blocking sunlight to garden and natural plant life, etc.
Most of our schools, here in silicon valley parking lots are covered with solar panels structures similar to yours, they do work, block rain, provide shade for teachers and students, that part is good. Today, good for commercial, industrial, government, public buildings. Farms , nature, houses need roof tiles with photo built in and color matchable
This is a great video. 12 years is about the longest payoff time I would personally consider just because of the generic risks in life.
A real and comprehensive video! Thanks for the info.
A big thank you from down in South Africa, you video is succinct and informative I relate to the fact that your project matched your personal ethos.
I never knew that there were inverters that you had to knock on to read the display lol. Very cool set up, thanks for the tour!
Most of the time you have to knock on things to get them to work - temporarily.🤣
@Peter Hicks nice!
Thank you for this. I have just about the same solar panel set up as yours, but I do have the lithium ion batteries to store the power. A wonderful thing when the power goes out, as it does too frequently.
Another great video. We have almost the exact same system (but with microinverters) on our lil homestead last year. Makes 120% of our needs and payback will be in 8 to 9 years. But mainly it's the right thing to do.
Great job in explaining the details/cost of solar energy. Thank you
I like that you keep it real and speak to good and the bad in all the videos you make. I’m just getting started, moving from
the West to the East and starting our farm. Hopefully we can be moved in by the end of the year.
I read Pete's book last week and it is very good. I posted a short review on Amazon just a couple of days ago. If you like Pete and his videos, you will enjoy the book.
Great Northern 70 good to know. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! First time viewer, beautiful property! I'm heading to check out your other vids.
Outstanding summary and presentation, probably among the best you will find, videos usually never get into the technical stuff and how it all works together and what you need at least as good as this video. I want to put a system in like yours with one of those new inverters and 400w panels with the micro inverters!
Thanks for the honest in-situ evaluation Pete!
Besides weathering of the covers, many people don't know that the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells degrade substantially with time as well, which is something everyone investing in a system should study.. But hopefully the degradation curves are much better for new panels than they were a few years ago...
the higher end products age really well now although the same can't be said for the low end which age poorly due to cost minimising BOM
I did a lot of the land clearing on Cornell property for the solar fields.
Your mentioning this because ?
Thank you for the very good (and well produced!) video - this helps me.
And for the most part, the comments are interesting and helpful too - your's is a thoughtful audience!
Very well spoken video, efficient, well thought out, full of all the important information. I'm an electrical Engineer and found the stats very useful saving research time.
Our power is $0.26/kwh in the summer in Arizona...more production than you can get out there and the grid is way more expensive. Time to drop $10k. Thanks for the informative videos.
If you have a family of 4 or more. Look into having a heat pump hot water heater installed. You'll cut usage by 3500 kWh/ yr only investing $2500. If you put in your garage it pulls hot air out and will dump cool air in your garage and keep it cooler.
Another great video! You make your videos so comprehensive and to the point. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Good job Pete. Very well delivered.
Very Nicely nd openly explained !
U hv kept connected me on the video every sec as every second u spoke were all so precious and so benificial.
narratation or presentation was quite amaxing.
You gain a lot of efficiency by shortening the DC lines, ideally that inverter would be mounted right beneath the panels, might worth looking into (BTW:we pay €0.33 per kWh over here, so payback time would be way shorter. )
Great - so refreshing to see people who prioritise the 'right think to do': wish there more of you - the world needs it. And loved your 'benign neglect' wildflower patch in front of your house, showing the beauty of nature and how it will come and keep you company if you only give it a chance. Good practical solar information too - Kudos!
You are a very good spokesman. I have been getting calls about installing solar for a long time. But the more I learn, the more I want to understand. The fixed cost of the system seemed higher than I expected but I dont like to be in debt making payments. I think I can do that. You have a farm and probably use much more electricity than me, a single homeowner in a subdivision and 3 bedroom house. BUT I have noticed MORE houses putting solar panels on their houses and that got my attention. Thank you for a very good explanation.
Brilliant, start to finish.
I can't believe there are not more videos like this. What an educational breakdown.
In terms of economics, it's important that these are stand-alone panels---not on a roof. It's a big advantage that he can adjust the angle of the panels to somewhat follow the sun, as opposed to a roof-top system.
Another good advantage of near-ground level panels. They're easier to clean, inspect, & maintain.
Best video yet. Very informative.
Very good and honest 12 years of experience.
Thanks for this. Glad I seen a decade using Solar Setup. Got this on recommendation. Agree solar setup is so much cheaper now
Yup i got mine for free.
@@clownanaround7996 where?
@@Laffy1345 i live in san bernardino County its called alternative grid
I agree that the products are much cheaper in 2020 but there is no way that this installation would cost $8500. If we assume panels are approx. $1 a watt and he has 6,120 watts (36 x 170) that's $6,120 just in the solar panels. Just hardware alone (panels, mounts, cable, conduit, electronics, etc..) to do the job would cost way more than $8500. I'm guessing the poles that hold them up would cost nearly that. Contractors are very expensive in 2020.
@@explorenaked Gary, please, it is not fair to guess at a correction. You should have facts before contradicting Pete's statement as to the costs of installation. What you have given us is an opinion based on what? Time lapsed and certain costs going up. Evaluate and assess the same system today and get back to us with facts not guesses because what you have put up here is misinformation in my opinion.
One has to include in the equation the cost when a big wind blows this over.
A really well done video.
I see no reason this setup wouldn't be covered under a home or farm insurance policy. It's part of your improvements.
What about a hail storm? Would hail damage the solar cells?
Very informative and well made video. Thanks for sharing!
Great, very informative, direct to the point video! Many thanks...
I have the book. Great read, I am reading it for the second time right now. Thanks. Nice primer on the PV system too
Great video well done Live in new Zealand and we are getting clobbered with excessive watt/hour charges (grr) it's got to be worth going off the grid here wish me luck on that
Great attitude about solar and doing what is right!
Great video, simple and easy explanation. Cheers
I thought you came from older generation farms inheriting that farm. Good to know youve change your life to both of the things you love.
You nailed EVERYthing.
Great video! Very well done. Informative. We will be installing on our homestead.
Thanks. Real numbers to work with.
Thank you for a very well explained system.Not to often you get people on here who get right to the point. You have peaked my interest in solar again.
Wow yes that was very informative and answered some of my questions! I have a small farm in Tennessee and have been interested in installing solar power...I like the idea of the batteries AND tying into the grid, cool stuff and along my line of values as well THANKS Pete!🙏
Great job presenting this information!
Very well explained for the layman like myself, thank you.
Pete thanks for all the solar information you are really on top of this subject. Here in Indiana, I was approached, through the power company, to put panels on my home and battery backup system. FOR FREE, but I would have to tear down our 30 year old river birch tree and we said no. Now I also learn that over a few months I would have to clean off the panels because of bird poop and dust and clean off the snow in the winter or I would lose the efficiency of the panels and that makes sense. Being on the roof of the house cleaning the panels is out of the question as I am not greeting younger. Also, the solar company said the only place that would be a benefit is the roof.
"They ended up hand digging the whole trench", a very cheeky dad satisfaction there
Thank you Pete for peaking my interest in solar. I’ve been acquiring land (acreage) in east Texas and thinking of ways to supplement my power needs.
Outstanding presentation