scalarparty ([info]scalarparty) wrote,
@ 2006-03-30 13:23:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:gizmos, new energy

invert this!
shooting down the white elephants one at a time...
capacitors
OK so you wanna go solar, and you already understand that solar panels are more expensive than batteries. But the bitter surprise may be that the Inverter will cost you about as much as your panels(!) That has traditionally been the case... but now, according to PhysOrg Magazine, Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, has come up with a new generation of cheaper and smaller inverters for solar panels which can be plugged into standard electricity sockets. No wonder he's the Millennium Prize winner! He deserves two for that!




(Post a new comment)


[info]derbene
2006-03-30 09:18 pm UTC (link)
Yay :D Go go renewable energy sources. That guy's probably pretty popular now among solar users but not among the manufacturers ^^'

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]scalarparty
2006-03-31 05:23 am UTC (link)
that's true. peeps like XantreX are probably a little scared.... but the truely evolved inverter co.s will certainly try to scoop this guy up!

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]7leaguebootdisk
2006-03-30 09:49 pm UTC (link)
Ain't that the truth! Specing out a system with a 1999 vintage Real Goods catalog, and even at those prices, the cells were only 25% or so of the price. Now, of course, the cells are even cheaper.

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]scalarparty
2006-03-31 05:22 am UTC (link)
well yah we stil;l have batteries but they never cost quite as muchg as a good inverter (of course if you were a real trooper you'd hav elowered your load with cute DC LEDs and a rocket stove and daylighting and... and need only about 2 panels...)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


[info]7leaguebootdisk
2006-03-31 07:02 am UTC (link)
Well, I was speculating on an RV system, so the question is how much power can you get. Where I live now, in the worst month, you could get about 6kwh (well, minus what ever for less than perfect aiming), and then several days of batteries. I also wanted to be able to run AC off solar too. Burn stuff for heat. For this set up, w/m^2 not w/$ is the important part, you only have so much surface availible.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]rowanlangley
2006-03-31 08:22 pm UTC (link)
Should never use a plug, reason being that it is then relying on Interface protection circuit (an active system) to prevent 230 volts apearing on the pins when the plug is disconnected. Grid connect inverters must ALWAYS be wired in a fixed equipment for this reason

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]scalarparty
2006-03-31 08:34 pm UTC (link)
Hmmmm well I trust you on this one Mr. Langley! if you say that's the case.... i mean i just assumed that by the time this one reaches market it will have all the kinks worked out, but in the interim these are very souind words to adhere to. Thanks for the input mr offgrid!

(Reply to this)(Parent)


Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…