Solar Power in TV
 

Getting SECO involved is a good idea. With the expanding number of homes here they are going to need to keep adding to their capacity, and doing so with the help of their current customers is a win-win situation. They should have more clout in getting grants than we as individuals, and surely the "powers that be" would rather see Florida use its existing potential rather than just build another power station?

Also, getting the media involved should give this project a leg up. They like a 'feel good' story about individuals getting together to solve a problem, rather than leaving it to the corporate world.

It may be that financially it doesn't make things cheaper for us, but there are probably enough green people in TV who would support the project anyway - count me in, for a start. Anyone who doesn't want to isn't being forced to - we just need to reach a critical mass to get things started.

Comments from those who have already gone the solar route would be useful. What have been your experiences in terms of costs and savings? Have you been able to sell back excess power to SECO?

Thank you

Zass38, I wonder why it takes so many homes to be involved? I have read where individuals have sold energy back to utilitiy companies. Most of these individual cases seem to be out west. Maybe more foward thinking people. But again it is a very limited following. Often times it seems to be folks that just think it's important to make energy a green project.

It all gets back to the fact that if you want it to be a viable consumer product (green energy) you have to show and prove that it will make money. Or the same being eliminating your energy bill for less than the equipment that is installed and to maintain that equipment. If that were done it would be a no brainer. But so far I haven't seen the ideas that will truely do that.

Is the need for so many houses
 

Is the need for so many houses related to the reduced cost and the rate that they get from the utility? Net metering is available to anyone if the state laws require it. But the rate may be negotiated higher with the utility if there is alot.

I seem to remember reading someplace, that a developer did a 100 houses and the local firestation and strip mall and got the electric company to float a bond to pay for it. The cost of repaying the bond was deducted from the sell back and any additional electricity used by the homeowner was charged. So if in a particular month say Feb for heat and July for air the house used a ton of electric the bill could be big but the rest of the year it was dropped low (to like $25???) Wish I could remember the article location.

The Districts governing the rec centers, pools etc should definatley go solar they have alot longer to reap the benifits.

I don't live there yet or I would be signing up.
Trudy

I don't think you can make it go here because we can only act as individuals. This is not a democracy, it is a benign dictatorship. If you or anyone could sell the developer it would be another thing. I don't think you can because the idea is not good enough YET.

We can make petitions and have people sign them until the cows come home. This place is thought out to a T, and this idea has not been built in. I personally agree with the person who said, "follow the money"...and I also agree that getting government money for such a project is not a good idea.

I do not think that we would save money at this point with your plan and I still believe it is not feasible. Why waste your time? It will happen when someone comes up with that "better mousetrap" and then everyone will jump on it making it cost effective.

AND I think the developer has our well being in mind...because our well being sells more houses.

Lincoln .. the reason for the large number of participating homes is for the Utility (SECO) to pay for part of the installation and conversion costs. In short the "federation" of these homes is then treated as a peaking power plant. This has the effect of being the same as a small power station for SECO when then really need the power, say on July 10 between noon and 2PM.

I don't like the idea of getting the ball rolling by petition. I don't know what the current state of the technology is; but the proposal would need to make business sense and sell itself. It would need to stand on its merits, not be demanded. I would not sign a petition.

Ok that sounds potentially logical. Does SECO have such a plan at this time? i.e. show me the money. It's a great talking point but I have to wonder why it hasn't been done so far. It sounds very simple but it must somehow be very complicated. I don't know. I do remember reading about individuals who sell power back to utility companies. But it is very rare. If it pays, I have to wonder why there aren't contractors beating down our door to install power systems to feed back in to the grid. You are right TV is probably in a very good location to use solar energy but yet very few have installed a system. If there is anyone interested I will happily lease my roof to an energy contractor. Or if someone can show me on paper how I can make money from solar power generation I will do it in a New York Minute.

I am bumping this thread because there is a person who just started another thread that sounds like it may be along these lines.

I don't know, wonder if I am right or wrong....

Tech advances may bring the costs down over time. Where did I read lately that a company had developed the photovoltiac cells into shingles that are installed the same at the shingles we use today. Completely changes the "look" which some people object to. The roof then becomes the photovoltaic collector. Ah, I might have dreamed it....still sounds like a plan though.

love the idea

Tom,
Great idea, unfortunately the stimulus funds had to be obligated by 9/30/2010. I recently retired from Air Products in Allentown, PA where I was responsible for securing government funding. During my last year I was able to secure stimulus funding for several large clean energy projects that totaled $1 billion. One of the projects was a thin film solar farm to provide 50% of the electricity needs for AP's headquarters in Allentown--about 2MW. These projects are complex and require partnering with the local utility, state funding agency and DOE. If the solar panels are not installed on each home's roof then a lot of acres need to be set-aside for the panels. Having said that I would volunteer to help secure state and federal funding provided a viable project can be put together.

Solar
 

:BigApplause:

How about also adding a function to fuel electric golf carts at the same time.
A resident buys in and swipes a card while he goes bathing...

To me the basic problem will be is:

Where in the world am I going to get the cash to put up in advance as a senior citizen to pay for solar energy. I need cash flow in and not out in year one!

Therefore, financing must be included to make it where most TV residents would accept.

Pat, You cut your hair. Cute!!

Tom, One of my customers I had while in business (Machine shop) is a solar engineer/ solar scientist. I forwarded him your idea and below is his reply...



I would contact the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa Florida, not far from you at all! There has to be someone there that can speak intelligently on the various state and federal programs your community can pursue.

Only works if it is permanent
 

The only way a subsidized investment in a new technology makes sense is if the installation is permanent. I have seen reports that indicate that the panels have a 20 to 30 year life. Who pays for the re-capitalization then? Remember, this subsidy is not from the government. It is from you.