DIY solar array 12.5 kw - Page 10

pinballlooking · 10-08-13, 09:56 AM

The Volt is really an EV with extended range generator.
When in EV mode it just uses the battery. I think it works very well for people with extra solar capacity.
We are just a couple gallons away from saving 500 gallons of gas just from mid Feb/13 at this rate we should save over 1,000 gallons of gas in the first year of owner ship. Those gallons will all be powered with the sun.

Vern2 · 10-08-13, 10:01 AM

pinballlooking,

When the Volt drives 40 miles on ev and the traction battery is dead. It wont take long on a 200 mile trip before the Prius will over take the Volt in best mpg, if the Volt can't find an outlet. In town the Volt is the car to have.

Vern2 · 10-08-13, 10:04 AM

I'm just saying each car has it's place. It depends on how it fits you your situation.

pinballlooking · 10-08-13, 10:06 AM

My lifetime MPG is 198 mpg for 12,972 miles OnStar keeps track of this for me.
So you think a Prius is going to overtake my mileage



But if you are a traveling sales man this is not the car for you.

pinballlooking · 10-08-13, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vern2

I'm just saying each car has it's place. It depends on how it fits you into your situation.

I 100% agree with you on this.

pinballlooking · 10-14-13, 09:40 PM

Our Chevy Volt just went to lifetime 201 mpg and we have gone 11,029 EV electric miles powered by the sun. This saved us from buying 515 gallons gas so far this year.
We also just hit the 6 month with Solar power we have made 9.05 MWh so far. I look at the sun different now. I don't care for cloudy days very much now either.

Daox · 10-15-13, 08:33 AM

Very nice!

Robaroni · 10-15-13, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Our Chevy Volt just went to lifetime 201 mpg and we have gone 11,029 EV electric miles powered by the sun. This saved us from buying 515 gallons gas so far this year.
We also just hit the 6 month with Solar power we have made 9.05 MWh so far. I look at the sun different now. I don't care for cloudy days very much now either.

PB,
I make enough power on cloudy days to surpass my usage.

I've been doing a lot of observing and reading so this statement isn't just my foolish thinking:

Any industrialized nation hoping to compete in the 21st Century world market must adopt an aggressive alternate energy policy.

France, with 75% Nuclear, is now buying power from Germany because it's cheaper than their Nuclear.

"Every hour, the sun radiates more energy onto the earth than the entire human population uses in one whole year."

Solar Energy and Energy Independence

"Renewable energy in Portugal was the source for 52%[1] of the country's electricity generation in 2010 - an increase of 28% in 5 years.[2]"

Source: Wikipedia

Rob

pinballlooking · 10-15-13, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaroni

PB,
I make enough power on cloudy days to surpass my usage.

"Every hour, the sun radiates more energy onto the earth than the entire human population uses in one whole year."
Rob

This is such a great statement.

I have to make more than I use on sunny days to cover the really cloudy days.

On a week day we fully charge the car at least twice a day. 12 kwh X 2 = 24 KWh then overnight we use 5-6 kwh. We start the day off with 30 kwh used without use using any power in the house for the day.
So if it is very cloudy we will not make enough power to cover the day.

Mark

TackyTeddy · 10-16-13, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaroni

teddy,
Nice location, I like the water and building in it.

Getting 12 cents over your rate is fantastic! We get the same rate as our cost which is still better than most places.
The 180 degrees, is that an east/west orientation?

Rob

South .........

10-08-13, 10:01 AM	#92
Vern2 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	pinballlooking, When the Volt drives 40 miles on ev and the traction battery is dead. It wont take long on a 200 mile trip before the Prius will over take the Volt in best mpg, if the Volt can't find an outlet. In town the Volt is the car to have. __________________ Vern To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Vern2; 10-08-13 at 10:12 AM..

10-08-13, 10:04 AM	#93
Vern2 Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 145 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I'm just saying each car has it's place. It depends on how it fits you your situation. __________________ Vern To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Vern2; 10-08-13 at 10:11 AM..

10-08-13, 10:06 AM	#94
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	My lifetime MPG is 198 mpg for 12,972 miles OnStar keeps track of this for me. So you think a Prius is going to overtake my mileage  But if you are a traveling sales man this is not the car for you. Last edited by pinballlooking; 10-08-13 at 09:05 PM..

10-15-13, 08:33 AM	#97
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Very nice! __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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10-08-13, 09:56 AM	#91
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	The Volt is really an EV with extended range generator. When in EV mode it just uses the battery. I think it works very well for people with extra solar capacity. We are just a couple gallons away from saving 500 gallons of gas just from mid Feb/13 at this rate we should save over 1,000 gallons of gas in the first year of owner ship. Those gallons will all be powered with the sun.

10-14-13, 09:40 PM	#96
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Our Chevy Volt just went to lifetime 201 mpg and we have gone 11,029 EV electric miles powered by the sun. This saved us from buying 515 gallons gas so far this year. We also just hit the 6 month with Solar power we have made 9.05 MWh so far. I look at the sun different now. I don't care for cloudy days very much now either.