Solar Panels and Off Grid Solutions
Most states now have laws in place that require the transmission and distribution company to provide rules and provisions allowing cogeneration. What cogeneration is for the layman is a way to turn the electricity meter backwards. Most people like the sound of being able to make your electricity meter go backwards and not get in trouble for it. When feeding electricity back onto the grid there is a little danger that comes into play for the line men so there ae rules and regulations in place so that no one gets fried on the line.
When setting up a cogeneration setup it is very important to work with your electricity utility that manages the poles and wires so that they know you are feeding electricity back on the electric grid. If you do not notify the electric utility and work within their guidelines you can potentially kill an electric line man and that would be something no one would want to have happen. In Texas I have spoken with a local solar panel installer and he explained that getting setup with Oncor Electric Utility to install solar panels at peoples houses was not an easy task. He suggested that there may even be a little strategic red tape and discouragement to make it prohibitive for solar installers like him from entering the market and doing business. This remark by a local Texas solar installer is only hear say and so we have no knowledge if this is really true or just this guys opinion.
When thinking about solar panel purchasing and installation there are a couple of setups you can do. You can live completely off the electric grid but that will cost you a fortune and will take 30 - 50 years to recoup the initial investment. In most cases 50 years is a better example of just how long it will take you to recover your solar panel investment. A better solution is to run most of your house with solar panels but maybe not your air conditioner. Your air conditioner is going to cost you a fortune to keep running using solar power especially if you live in the state of Texas or a state with similar hot weather.
When doing a cogeneration setup you can have some of the electricity generated saved in deep cycle batteries but those batteries will cost you a lot and they have to be replaced every so often. A better solution is to send that solar power back on the grid and cause your Texas electricity meter go in reverse. You will basically be receiving money from the power company because you are selling them back the electricity you generate. In a few examples some Texas home owners actually receive money back each month on their electricity bill. To get your home to the point of having a negative electricity bill is cost prohibitive for almost everyone and we strongly discourage it as the cost takes too long to recoup. The cogeneration setup is the perfect solution and you can always expand the number of solar panels you have on your homes roof as you can afford to expand your solar panel setup.
To learn more about Solar panels and solar setup we recommend visiting ESS Solar at www.esssolar.com. You will find some helpful information on installers near you that can assist in getting a cogeneration setup at your house. ESS Solar is based out of East Texas and specializes in both wind turbines and solar panels. ESS also offers solar attic ventilation and solar powered water heaters.
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