ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Alternative Energy PV panels

I did look at that site but I was looking at the size and price. I think the 120v micro inverter may be the best system for homeowners dabbling in the technology, simply because it is plug and go. You can add on as your wallet permits.

I wonder how GFCIs deal with power coming "in"? In real life I assume they don't know the difference as long as the hot and neutral are balanced.

I am guessing that if you wanted to start hanging micros on your roof, all the EC would do is sell you a bunch of receptacles across the roof with in use covers.
The immediate concern would be derating the wire in the raceways. Other than that is would be the same as the any other receptacle outside as far as I see. (GFCI circuit, in use cover and a "wet location" device in a Bell box)

I was also thinking about how you could kick start these if the utility was down. I wonder if you had a regular 12v > 120 inverter (maybe also solar powered) you could switch on line after you isolated the PV system from the utility and the bulk of the house load if it woulds kick in and generate full power.

John & Greg,

I was just wondering if you guys heard about removal of these PV systems? I didn't know if this gentleman knew something about the hazards or just blowing smoke.

Harold:
You lost me there!

I'm looking for 'dosposal' info of panels and haven't had much success yet. Usual reply was something to the effect of '25 year life expectancy'

I doubt it is a serious problem but virtually all electronics are called hazardous waste if you have any quantity. It is probably more because they are not sure what is in there than what is actually in there.
You will have trace amounts of various heavy metals. Just enough to get eco folks' panties in a wad.
The scrappers would reduce the overall load by taking every scrap of aluminum and steel out of the framework if you just set them in front of the house.

I was talking to another chemical engineer the other day and I asked him the same question. He wasn't sure what "hazards" might be inside of a PV system, he did think that Germanium might be in there. He also said that germanium was a heavy metal and that would have to be disposed of properly. I will ask the next PV installer that I see and ask him what they do with an old panel. ( If they even have "old" ones by now.)

PV Panel life is usually warrantied for 25 years with approx an annual degradation of 1% each year.

Los Angeles Electrician Los Angeles Electrcian

Branover:

Welcome to ECN Forums, from one of the 'Jersey guys'

Nice to see new members jump right in.

That would be an interesting experiment to see what the PV puts out under a street light. I doubt it really returns that much. The light is not that efficient in the first place and we hope most of the light is actually hitting the street. Then you divide that by the efficiency of the collector and subtract the losses in the inverter. A watt or two out of the 150w would surprise me. I also wonder if they get some energy from IR that will be there on a hot night, even if it is dark.

Branover,

Welcome to the board from another Jersey guy.

John, Greg,

I was talking to a PV installer yesterday and he told me, if they break anything on the PV system, they will ship the broken item to India or Pakistan. They will break it down and recycle the pieces/parts there.

I have only dealt with a few panels brands but the one I have come with a 20 year output warranty of at least 80%. In general manufacturer under rate their panels since they degrade over time form the elements and backing in the sun day in, day out. a 130 watt panel out of the box will put out 135 watts or more at 80% is like 103 watts in twenty years. More then likely, they will be added to or replaced of just forgotten about by then.