Solar, is it worthwhile?

[MemoriesByTheMile]

Ahh hah - I must have missed it earlier. You are considering using the sun to heat the hydronic system. I assumed (incorrectly) you were using solar electric panels, storing the electric, then using that electric to heat.
From an efficiency perspective, totally agree that using solar heat collectors vs solar electric collectors is more efficient.
Still not sure that hydronic would be a good idea, high risk of leaks over time and lost space.

 

[TheLooks]

Welcome to a discussion, any discussion, with Kevin D Pem Mr. Underboss.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Ahh hah - I must have missed it earlier. You are considering using the sun to heat the hydronic system. I assumed (incorrectly) you were using solar electric panels, storing the electric, then using that electric to heat.
From an efficiency perspective, totally agree that using solar heat collectors vs solar electric collectors is more efficient.
Still not sure that hydronic would be a good idea, high risk of leaks over time and lost space.

So I'll spill the beans!

This revival came about because I want my porch/greenhouse heated to avoid freezing(heated beds).

Water because, a leak is easier to clean up than oils would be!

The mass can be dumped for travel, though the original design used phase changing materials to save space!

Because comfort can be increased, my plan is a dry radiant installation, in the form of mats on the floor to heat my feet where I spend my time while indoors. As I write this the thermometer tells me it's 56 degrees, and I am fine with that, and the heater is off, that's what jackets are for.

With the PV I have, I have more comfort than many people I know and I do that without choking on generator fumes.

For the most part I travel for comfort, and find I burn less resources than those that stay put and try to make their environment liveable!!

All in all, I live considering my impact on mother earth. This requires me, to make sure promises of earth friendly, are not smoke and mirrors.

And don't worry about water damage, because everything will be visible for inspection!

 

[TheLooks]

I will be sure and burn extra to make up for you.

 

[gfmucci]

I'm mulling a travel trailer towed by a Ford f150 hybrid that has a built in generator/lithium ion battery to run AC overnight when needed, plus the 200 watt panels that come standard with many TTs for trickle charging the house batteries.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

So your saying they are putting 200 watt panels standard on travel trailers nowadays? Take the time to verify that!

 

[TheLooks]

Yes Kevin, They are putting tiny little systems on campers quite a bit now and telling people all sorts of things they can do with them. A couple of companies even put enough on to actually charge a battery in direct sunlight. It is a direct marketing approach to people that think it must work, everyone is doing it....right?

 

[Underboss]

I had 200 watts worth of panels that came on my Swift LI. Can barely make enough power to keep up with a 12v refrigerator while bringing the 48v LI battery from 92% to 100% on a full sunny day. They sell it like you can light up a small town

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yes Kevin, They are putting tiny little systems on campers quite a bit now and telling people all sorts of things they can do with them. A couple of companies even put enough on to actually charge a battery in direct sunlight. It is a direct marketing approach to people that think it must work, everyone is doing it....right?

Didn't think 200w, thought more like 100w

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I had 200 watts worth of panels that came on my Swift LI. Can barely make enough power to keep up with a 12v refrigerator while bringing the 48v LI battery from 92% to 100% on a full sunny day. They sell it like you can light up a small town

Well, as I say it takes 500w to call it a system! But what do I know?

 

[TheLooks]

You know to much. They are not marketing to you....

 

[Kevin D Pem]

You know to much. They are not marketing to you....

I want to believe 200 watt panel will light up the neighborhood! Maybe I also want to believe in something called zero point energy!!! Maybe my mom and dad can bring it when they finally get here! Haven't heard why they got delayed!

 

[Underboss]

While I have installed solar panels on 3 homes now, personally they are a waste for me on an rv. I do not boondock but occasionally overnight. I also do not see the upgrade to lithium adding value for me. These two positions do not mean its not right for someone else, just wasteful for me.
My Swift is lithium with 200 watt solar panel. I bought it for other purposes. I bought it to use as an option when I did not want to take my 44' Ventana for day trips. I knew the 200 w solar was a joke but for others, the system had the ability to add permanent or temp panels while camping.
I find the solar photovoltaic systems worth the price of admission on my homes. The payback is about 8 years but even when selling after two years, the value gets added into the sales price. I have only paid cash and not taken loans on these systems. Taking a loan would extend the payback to where its not worth the payback time for me.

 

[TheLooks]

So you are selling to people that think they can live "off grid". Smart marketing move but as you know, not reality. I am guessing you are getting subsidies for installing solar.

 

[Diesel Pusher]

I wish there subsidies for RV Solar! The best I could do was tax free in Arizona when I bought my stuff for my motorhome build.

 

[TheLooks]

I meant the houses he put it on.

 

[Underboss]

So you are selling to people that think they can live "off grid". Smart marketing move but as you know, not reality. I am guessing you are getting subsidies for installing solar.

What the hell are you bloviating about? Is every post a way for you to start some bs? Who is selling what to whom? You need to chill, not every post is something to attack someone over. I did not knock RV solar, just stated it was not for me. What the hell is your problem?

 

[TheLooks]

I do work for people that have extensive solar. Tax breaks and subsidies is how they explain them. How do you explain them? Who actually pays for it.

 

[TheLooks]

I like to get to the bottom of the way things are. How does it actually work? That is why I tend to post about the other side of things. Sort of like the guys that go on about towing with electric and how easy it is and cheap and everyone should do it. But that is not the truth. What is the truth?

 

[Underboss]

I do work for people that have extensive solar. Tax breaks and subsidies is how they explain them. How do you explain them? Who actually pays for it.

Perhaps you should reread what I wrote. Your response was "So you are selling to people that think they can live "off grid". Smart marketing move but as you know, not reality. I am guessing you are getting subsidies for installing solar."
Who said I was selling to anyone? But then you go on to say I am deceiving people. So do not tell me that you just want to know how things work. Your post is rude, accusatory and completely wrong.
Reading comprehension without looking to attack would show you what the last paragraph I wrote said:
"I find the solar photovoltaic systems worth the price of admission on my homes. The payback is about 8 years but even when selling after two years, the value gets added into the sales price. I have only paid cash and not taken loans on these systems. Taking a loan would extend the payback to where its not worth the payback time for me"