David Llorens in San Francisco

The only concern I have is I have heard that panels connected to reverse metering have to be shut off during power outages to protect workers repairing the grid. I feel battery back-up should be used for complete system integrity.

Let me now if you’re ever hiring.

I’m a student doing a research project on solar energy and I’d like to use some of this sites information in my writings. I’m wondering if you could help me out and let me know who wrote the tax incentives in Florida article and if they kept a list of their sources. Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. you can reach me at emilygorman@rocketmail.com

I feel that some of the advantages of micro-inverters are presently overstated. For instance, consider 10 series connected panels. All but one are at max output, the other is dead. Because each panel has bypass diodes and neglecting forward diode losses the power will be 90% of max. On the other hand, the microinverters will also produce 90% of max power. The dead panel cannot produce any power. Also, because dP/dV is zero at the maximum power point, small variations in panel outputs will have reasonably small effects on total power.

Hi Hubert,

Yes, in simple string configurations conventional inverters can be perform just as micro inverters, with minor nuances in output/cost.

In certain home situations, I feel the benefits of microinverters can be overwhelming.

Hey Dave,

Is that a Sunpower 225-BLK you’re leaning on, by chance? (lol). I jsut finished installing 30 of them on my home!!

I’ve documented the install on my site at http://www.jjhamilton.com/solar if anyone wants to see what a home install consists of.

Rock on!

JimmyD

Dear Solar Power Rocks:

My name is Tim Nagae. I am a producer at Community Television Network, the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan’s cable TV station. We have been producing a TV program called, “Eco Sense,” a series of 30-minute talk/news programs about energy and environment. We have been posting video clips of the excerpts of the Eco Sense shows about energy issues in the Ann Arbor Energy Office’s You Tube site. I thought you may be interested in viewing these videos, so I am sending you the link to the site. http://www.youtube.com/AnnArborEnergyOffice

Also, if you are interested in viewing the entire shows, I would like to send you DVD copies with no charge. So please let me know. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tim Nagae
Producer of “Eco Sense”
Community Television Network (City of Ann Arbor)
2805 S. Industrial Ste 200
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
(734) 794-6150 ex. 41514
(734) 649-3351 (cel)

My 4th/5th grade class at Glen Park elementary class recently measured our school roof’s solar potential. We then sent letters to our new president and mayor, urging them to invest in solar power for our school and schools around the country. We’ve also sent letters to local schools to start a chain letter urging our president to invest in “Solar for Schools”.
My Solar Potential 151 Lippard Avenue Glen Park School
________________________________________
Roof Size: 19,783
Estimated solar PV potential: 70-90 KWh/yr
Estimated electricity produced: 135,000-155,000 KWh/yr
Estimated electricity savings: $15,000-$35,000 per year
Estimated carbon savings: 100,000-120,000 lbs per year
The only information we don’t have is the cost and viability of putting solar panels on our school’s roof. If you could get us that information we would greatly appreciate it.

That’s great Jeff! Thanks so much for sharing your class project with us.

Please keep us updated on your progress getting government involved. If you send us your letter, we’ll post it for you.

Nice work!

- Dan

hey jeff,

What an awesome idea to get the students involved in this project. I live here in SF and curretly work as a lead commercial installer/electrician. Over last summer we completed an amazing project for the Pleasanton School District, totalling almost one megawatt of power production over 5 school rooftops. Over the course of the installation I had the chance to speak with classes about the installation, cleantech industry in general and current political events. It was a great experience, there was so much positive feedback from the kids as well as the teachers and staff. Schools really are excellent place for solar installations especially to serve as inspiration to future generations. Our entire project was funded as a PPA by Honeywell, so the upfront costs to the school were negligible. Now the school pays a locked rate for its power consumption for the next 25 years and can power all of its ‘educational engines’ from the sun. Please e-mail me for further info about your project, would be glad to be of assistance in helping your school.

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Hi David, I wanted to find out where I can reach you in person and set up a meeting so I can pick your brain regarding Solar Technology. I can be reached at LMC1036@yahoo.com….I appreciate your time….Lira

Hey Dave, I am a general contractor here in the bay area, San Jose ca. to be exact. I just went through a course to get an entry level certificate from NABCEP and realy did not get as much out of the class as expected. I was woundering if you could recomnend a training institution to take me up on a roof and install a PV system from start to finish. I do have more knoledge than before take the previous class but it was just class room and not enough hands on. I realy would like to turn my construction company primarily into a solar installation company. Please help!!!

Hi Dave,
I’m a renter in San Francisco and just built my own DIY 70 Watt solar panel. I’m using it to charge a 12V battery and running my DSL modem, Wireless router and 20″ LCD tv directly off the battery as it turns out all these devices actually run off 12V. I want to expand my system but batteries are quite expensive so I’ve been looking at possibility of a grid tie inverter. do you know what options are available for SF renters that are relatively easy to install, and the legalities of doing this as a renter? Thanks.

Hey, Dave. Great site. Just wanted to let you two know that I did a post about you guys and another one about 1BOG.org at my own blog, http://www.solarfred.com. Keep up the great work!

Best,
Tor

Hi,
I am interning for a solar company in New York and I’m researching landlord to tenant tax implications. The article from Robert Brownstein, CPA, in June 2008 was very helpful, and I was wondering if he sent you a more recent version, with the information he said he would look into. Some more recent info would be really useful.
Thanks!

Hello Dave, long time since I was on here. I have been on a fiber optic commo contract for the last year but before that I was getting SolarGy Services up and running. Well that contract is over and I am now ready to finish what I started last year. I need to talk with you directly about a few things when you have time so please keep in touch GO CUBS! ( I grew up in Peoria Il) PS I need some of the latest info on getting money to get started.

I do not have solar for my home yet,I live in oklahoma,(you know the state where the polititions are in the pockets of our gas and electric company)I want solar for the sole purpose is to have power,not to save money.our power shuts off way more than I like.
my e-mail is saggerr@sbcglobal.net if someone can lead me to selling some of my solar power to the electric co.