General Discussion

oldhippie

(3,249 posts)

17. I have that same problem ......

Thu May 8, 2014, 04:58 PM

May 2014

My current house would have had a 5 kW PV system on the south facing roof many years ago - if it wasn't for the three large oak trees that shade that roof from the Texas summer sun. I really want to put a PV system up there, but I can't bring myself to cut down those mature trees. I have also looked at ground mounting an array on poles, but there is no place on my moderately wooded one acre that can get enough sun to make it worthwhile. So I am stuck with a small, sub-optimal array on an outbuilding that only powers my shop.

I'm trying to get some momentum going in my 'hood for a community solar project, but I'm not finding much interest. I'm actually getting more opposition than support. That's why I am getting so frustrated with the "we have to use renewable energy" voices, but I can't find many people that will actually "do" it. Everybody wants someone else to do it.

Sorry, I got on another of my rants.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

42 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Who here on DU have a photovoltaic solar system on their roof ... [View all] oldhippie May 2014 OP

I looked at it, but I would have had to cut down some shade trees badtoworse May 2014 #1

I have that same problem ...... oldhippie May 2014 #17

Hi Hippie Lonusca May 2014 #2

Thanks for your info oldhippie May 2014 #21

I want to, but can't afford it yet. Erich Bloodaxe BSN May 2014 #3

Could this work PasadenaTrudy May 2014 #4

I am not allowed to have one of those things...! The basstids! MADem May 2014 #5

Tell those who decide to take a look at Germany newfie11 May 2014 #6

The NRHP doesn't allow any visible modifications. MADem May 2014 #8

You think the White House would be an historical home itsrobert May 2014 #26

They have a national security imperative. MADem May 2014 #29

Newbie question here, but... Orrex May 2014 #7

Here's 2 incredible sources of knowledge nationalize the fed May 2014 #11

Check out this site... Atman May 2014 #9

Not yet, but planning. politicat May 2014 #10

When we built we investigated PV solar but built tighter instead csziggy May 2014 #12

We have it... REPUguy May 2014 #13

Wow! That's a pretty good sized system ... oldhippie May 2014 #22

A few of our neighbors have installed them. hunter May 2014 #14

I used to live where you do , and ..... oldhippie May 2014 #18

My parents moved to a place where electric or gas utilities don't matter day-to-day. hunter May 2014 #20

We have an array that provides about half of our needs. broiles May 2014 #15

Do you know its size in kW? oldhippie May 2014 #24

It produces 16K kilowatt hours per year. broiles May 2014 #25

Sounds like about a 10kW array, nice .... oldhippie May 2014 #31

Neighbors? No. But friends? Yes. broiles May 2014 #32

Where abouts? oldhippie May 2014 #35

TXU provider, Oncor transport. broiles May 2014 #37

I too look forward to setting up a system panader0 May 2014 #16

As best I can tell Ruby the Liberal May 2014 #19

My sister and BIL have... MrMickeysMom May 2014 #23

I'm interested too. I got the gas company generator that powers a homes electric if the power goes. Sunlei May 2014 #27

Do you happen to know the kW power rating ..... oldhippie May 2014 #33

no, haven't number crunched as the car hasn't been released yet. Sunlei May 2014 #40

I've got one on my boat and haven't used any accessory power (generator) in about 6 months. cbayer May 2014 #28

That is a great application for a PV system oldhippie May 2014 #36

We have not had any issues with corrosion, but try to keep things relatively clean. cbayer May 2014 #38

I like the idea of the boat systems wind/solar as they are portable. My buddie in the outback uses Sunlei May 2014 #41

I am unable to watch videos at this time, but will try to at another. cbayer May 2014 #42

no electic bill since 9/2010 mikemcl350 May 2014 #30

That sounds really good, a success story ..... oldhippie May 2014 #34

I've looked into it, but right now it's a little too costly. NuclearDem May 2014 #39