EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Dump the plumbing and use PV to heat water?

Xringer · 07-16-13, 05:31 AM

My 125W panels on the 500w tracking array have some problems. They look pretty bad.
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-...pv-panels.html

But, they seem to be pumping out about the same power levels. So, I'm not too upset.

My panels were purchased on Ebay with my 'hobby money' account.
Since that money was essentially 'free' money I picked up gambling, my solar panel collection cost me almost nothing.

What got me thinking about DHW from PV, was the ever increasing price of #2 fuel oil/diesel fuel.
Which is now about $4 per gallon in this area. Boston Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Massachusetts
When I read the goverment research report on DHW using PV, I liked the idea.

Running the oil burner for 1/2 hour per day at a cost of $2 seemed like a lot for a couple of showers.
But this month, PV DHW assisted by the A7 ASHP, it's about 7 cents a day.
What's that, about 1/28th cost of oil? Wow, the sun is coming up on a clear blue sky!

07-16-13, 05:31 AM	#45
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	My 125W panels on the 500w tracking array have some problems. They look pretty bad. http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-...pv-panels.html But, they seem to be pumping out about the same power levels. So, I'm not too upset. My panels were purchased on Ebay with my 'hobby money' account. Since that money was essentially 'free' money I picked up gambling, my solar panel collection cost me almost nothing. What got me thinking about DHW from PV, was the ever increasing price of #2 fuel oil/diesel fuel. Which is now about $4 per gallon in this area. Boston Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Massachusetts When I read the goverment research report on DHW using PV, I liked the idea. Running the oil burner for 1/2 hour per day at a cost of $2 seemed like a lot for a couple of showers. But this month, PV DHW assisted by the A7 ASHP, it's about 7 cents a day. What's that, about 1/28th cost of oil? Wow, the sun is coming up on a clear blue sky! __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..