Affordable Solar & Wind

Advice on Solar electricity?

Hi

I live in Australia and am currently looking at installing solar electricity to our home.
I have no idea what I should be asking the companies that we are getting quotes from in order to find the best deal at the best price, and not end up with a system that does not do as it should or as we thought it would.
I have done some research but feel it is never enough. We believe that we would need to install a 1.5kw system our last bill showed that we used just under 1000kwh over a period of 103 days if this helps in relation to finding out the better system for us.
Any advice or useful websites would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Jacqui

103 days x 24 hrs /d = 2,472 hours

1000kwh / 2,472hours = 404 Watts average.

You might look for a system that can do about 1,000 W peak, with bigger batteries if you have longer periods without sun. Also, I do not know Australian taxes / incentives. These could change the economics of your system.

If you have grid for backup, you may do with less solar.

A good contractor should be willing to explain it all with the quote. I expect that if you express an interest and show a real ability to pay, they will be happy to talk to you. Just compare two or more offers, and get them to explain why theirs is better than the other guy.

The site below may help:

Solar Electric Photovoltaic (PV) System

Solar Electricity Basics By Chiras, Dan $17.73 Explains the concepts, components, and principles of solar electricity and residential electric systems, covering topics such as the Suns energy, hybrid systems, energy needs assessment, financial incentives, inverters, installation, and permits. Author: Chiras, Dan Series Title: A Green Energy Guide Subtitle: A Green Energy Guide Publication Date: 2010/07/01 Number of Pages: 192 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 5.00 Height: 8.00

Wind Solar Electricity: A Practical DIY Guide $26.64 The author has been providing his own electricity from the sun and the wind for years, and in this book he explains how you can do the same. There are chapters on the various system components required (including inverters and charge controllers), how to put them all together, batteries, gridconnected systems, and there is even a basic electricity primer. Andy has analysed the output of his system for over 10 years, and these reallife figures are included. Author: Reynolds, Andy Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 190 Publication Date: 2009/12/10 Language: English Dimensions: 6.14 x 9.21 x 0.40 inches

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Future Electricity Technologies and Systems $197.55 Where will our electricity come from in the future, and how will we use it? The UK is aiming for a 60 reduction of 1990 carbon dioxide emission levels by 2050, yet the electricity industry and patterns of electricity use must change radically if this is to be achieved. This authoritative overview analyses a range of possible scenarios for the future of electricity in the UK. Specialists in various renewable electricity technologies demonstrate the potential each has to play a significant role. Other routes to a lowcarbon electricity system are also considered, including nuclear power, improved power electronics, a wider use of superconducting technology, and microgeneration systems including combined heat and power. The book concludes by examining opportunities for demand side improvements in architecture, industry and transport. Each chapter is written by a technical expert in a manner accessible to readers interested in energy technology, policy and economics. Author: Jamasb, Tooraj/ Nuttall, William J./ Pollitt, Michael G. Series Title: Department of Applied Economics Occasional Papers Series Number: 67 Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 426 Publication Date: 2006/08/01 Language: English Dimensions: 9.04 x 6.30 x 1.28 inches

Solar Electricity (2nd Edition) $150.93 Author: Markvart/ Markvart, Thomas/ Markvart, Tomas Series Title: UNESCO Energy Engineering Series Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 298 Publication Date: 2000/06/30 Language: English Dimensions: 9.57 x 6.60 x 0.73 inches

Solar Technologies for Buildings $256.58 A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity productionProvides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of Uvalues, IV curve parameters and radiance distribution modellingDiscusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systemsCoverage of cuttingedge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects Author: Eicker, Ursula Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 323 Publication Date: 2003/07/28 Language: English Dimensions: 9.94 x 6.62 x 0.93 inches

Serpa Solar Power Plant $78.07 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Construction of the 11 megawatt Serpa solar power plant began in June 2006 and was completed as planned in January 2007. The facility, located in Serpa, in Portugals Alentejo agricultural region, 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Lisbon. The plant uses SunPower subsidiary PowerLights PowerTracker system to follow the suns daily path across the sky and generate more electricity than conventional fixedmounted systems. The plant provides enough electricity to supply approximatley 8,000 homes. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 120 Publication Date: 2010/07/14 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.28 inches

800 Mirror-Winged Solar Panels Convert Even the Last Rays of the Day Directly into Electricity $39.99 James A. Sugar 800 Mirror-Winged Solar Panels Convert Even the Last Rays of the Day Directly into Electricity - Photographic Print

Electrification of Rural Areas Using Solar Energy $106.74 Access to electricity is a requirement for economic and social development. In the world 1,577 million people live without access to electricity. Private organisations in India, Tanzania and Brazil offer solar home systems to households without electricity access. This thesis investigates some of the many challenges which solar home system providers are facing. A country and a case study comparison shows that some of these key challenges are in making their systems affordable, sourcing components, financing consumers, educating customers and staff, providing a maintenance service, working profitably and growing sustainably. Author: Kuhn, Linda Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 92 Publication Date: 2011/02/24 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.02 x 0.22 inches

Hubbard Scientific 4740 Compositionrehensive Solar Electricity Kit $220.08 This redesigned kit now includes: a full function digital multimeter 2 large solar cells LED lamp buzzer DC motor propeller patch cords and a new comprehensive lession plan with 8 unique lab exercises to expand the student s knowledge of the measurement and application of solar power. American Educational Products have a lead ship time of 21 days.

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Portsmouth Fountain Solar Birdbath $119.95 This?lightweight, weather resistant, cast resin solar birdbath fountain can be used anywhere outdoors without electricity. Your birds

Terracotta Cascade Solar Fountain $88 The hand crafted Terracotta solar cascading fountain can be used anywhere outdoors without any electricity as it uses the natur

Electricity $31.99 Jay Hall Electricity - Art Print

Floating Lily Solar Pond Fountain $49.95 This unique floating solar pond fountain can be used in any pond or pool without electricity. Using state of the art solar panel and

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Electricity Economics: Regulation and Deregulation $175.08 A lucid and uptodate introduction to understanding electrical power utilities in an era of changeElectric utilities worldwide are undergoing profound transformations: nationally owned systems are becoming privatized, privately owned systems that were previously regulated are becoming deregulated, and national systems are becoming international.Professionals in the power sector must now work in a new world in which an understanding of the principles of markets and how to evaluate investment projects under competition are essential.This text was written as a manual for the Russian Federal Energy Commission to train regional electricity rate regulators in the principles of economics and finance involved in regulating electricity markets and deregulating electricity generation. Requiring no familiarity with economics and using a minimum of mathematics, this book provides professionals in the power sector with the tools to face the new realities of electric utility operation.Designed both as a reference for practicing professionals and as a textbook for university and continuing education programs, Electricity Economics: Regulation and Deregulation discusses: The lessons learned from international experiences Competitive versus noncompetitive markets Cost and supply, profit, and economic efficiency The cost of capital, including net present value, discounting, and risk and return Wholesale power markets, generation expansion, and customer choice Specific international examples including the Californian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Argentine power sectors Plus numerous exercises to help clarify and support absorption of the concepts Author: Rothwell, Geoffrey/ Gomez, Tomas/ Schetzen, Martin Series Title: IEEE Press Series on Power Engineering Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 304 Publication Date: 2003/02/14 Language: English Dimensions: 9.62 x 6.10 x 0.77 inches

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Wooden Solar-Powered Wind Turbine $111 When sunlight touches the solar panel on the base of this wind turbine, the motor begins turning, spinning the blades. -The solar cells generate electricity when the sun or a halogen light shines on them. The electricity is used to drive a small motor that spins the blades. The solar cells in this item is encased within a flexible polymer approved for space applications, making them exceptionally reliable. The solar panel will not generate electricity under fluorescent or neon light sources.

Aluminum Solar-Powered Wind Turbine $224 When sunlight touches the solar panel on the base of this wind turbine, the motor begins turning, spinning the blades. -The solar cells generate electricity when the sun or a halogen light shines on them. The electricity is used to drive a small motor that spins the blades. The solar cells in this item is encased within a flexible polymer approved for space applications, making them exceptionally reliable. The solar panel will not generate electricity under fluorescent or neon light sources.

Outdoor Solar-Powered Swirling Sunflower $65 When sunlight touches the solar panel on the back side of the sunflower, the motor begins turning and in effect spinning the sunflower. -The solar cells generate electricity when the sun or a halogen light shines on them. The electricity is used to drive a small motor that spins the flower. The solar cells in this item is encased within a flexible polymer approved for space applications, making them exceptionally reliable. The solar panel will not generate electricity under fluorescent or neon light sources.

Solar Shingles $90.81 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Solar shingles, also called photovoltaic shingles, are photovoltaic cells designed to look like conventional asphalt shingles. There are several varieties of solar shingles, including shinglesized solid panels that take the place of a number of conventional shingles in a strip, semirigid designs containing several silicon solar cells that are sized more like conventional shingles, and newer systems using various thin film solar cell technologies that match conventional shingles both in size and flexibility. Solar shingles are manufactured by companies including SunPower Corporation, Solar Components Corporation, Atlantis Energy Systems, and Dow Chemical. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 148 Publication Date: 2010/07/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.34 inches

Duo Terracotta Cascade Solar Fountain $126.95 This gorgeous hand crafted multi-tier Terracotta solar fountain can be used anywhere outdoors without any electricity. Using state o