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#67374 07/02/06 08:55 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,064
D
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Interesting what I found at Target.

I wonder how many they sell, and what instructions comes with them..
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_5/601-2152377-4139354?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000CSKSQG

#67375 07/02/06 09:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
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G
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This looks like the deal they sell to sail boat folks to keep their battery up. I suppose it is pretty safe, basically just a 400w 12v battery charger. I may buy one if the money is really about right. I would like to know more about who makes it. Wonder what the max wind rating is? The only real installation issue is probably keeping it from blowing away.


Greg Fretwell
#67376 07/02/06 09:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
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The wind comes here about 20 days a year, the sun is there every day, i would think $700 plus, would buy a nice solar array, and invertor.

#67377 07/03/06 01:21 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
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G
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Solar arrays cost $4-5 a watt, so it is about as much as this wind charger. I suppose it really depends on what you can use.


Greg Fretwell
#67378 07/04/06 02:07 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 101
J
Member
I was told in another forum that recent interest in solar cells and limited production has driven the cost up to $8/W!

I wonder how many of those wind gens Target will sell to people who have no clue. Then they will try to hook it up to their house panel and fry it BEFORE calling an electrician to fix it all! Then get angry because the electrician tells them the truth about what it will all cost.


JRaef
#67379 07/04/06 04:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 821
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I'm hoping one day someone will invent real, real small solar panels and they won't be a major pain in the butt to install. Getting up on those roofs and installing them is no picnic. And the elecrician has to do it because of the grounding that needs to be done to each panel.

#67380 07/04/06 05:50 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 19
P
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looks like a lighting rod with a propeler. I can see some home owner installing it him/her self and then offering to install one for friends

#67381 07/04/06 11:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
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There is an article in this month's EE Times from the guy at Cypress semiconductor who makes most of the PV arrays in the US and he says the cost of the parts should be about $3.50 a watt wholesale based on his cost but installation is another $4 a watt. I guess there is another couple bucks in there somewhere for folks who buy the parts retail.

Lightning is not what I would worry about with this. It is getting it rigid enough so it doesn't become flying debris in the storm. ... or just a blender that shreads your roof.


Greg Fretwell

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