| Author | Content |
SoFlaCommercial
West Palm Beach, FL (Zone 10b)
November 5, 2011 6:41 PM Post #8878147
| howdy!
I see all these grow lights that people have to start seedlings. But I was thinking of getting a set of grow lights to do some onions and other stuff, since the day is shorter down here in florida for onions. But I know that the lights would probably make my light bill go bat-poop crazy, so I was thinking of using a solar panel, but need to get or make a converter to convert the power from a solar panel to AC/DC electricity.
any suggestions welcome. |
MrPappyG
Glassboro, NJ
December 12, 2011 10:11 PM Post #8927324
| Go to The Mother Earth News website, there is a man who just developed his own converter there and it's very inexpensive, he makes his own panel's too...
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SoFlaCommercial
West Palm Beach, FL (Zone 10b)
December 13, 2011 6:11 AM Post #8927526
| awesome, mr pappy g - thanks!
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SoFlaCommercial
West Palm Beach, FL (Zone 10b)
December 13, 2011 8:52 PM Post #8928767
| mr pappy - where's that story? did a search on the site and only got a story from 2006, then 1997, then 1994. |
jujubetexas
San Marcos, TX (Zone 8b)
December 14, 2011 7:07 AM Post #8929081
| Inverters are pretty cheap for just one one solar panel. They will usually come with a package solar deal.
Here are sites with the cheapest solar panels. Look for an inexpensive inverter here.
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm |
MrPappyG
Glassboro, NJ
December 15, 2011 11:31 PM Post #8931633
| SoFla... I read his article last month, and he said he might be getting shut down soon, I'll see if I can find it and send you the link. |
SoFlaCommercial
West Palm Beach, FL (Zone 10b)
December 16, 2011 5:11 AM Post #8931727
| Why would he get shut down? I didn't see an article on that site you have link for.
Is he in trouble for selling the panels or something?
I see that converters are cheap - but I didn't realize how expensive the solar panel is. :( |
jujubetexas
San Marcos, TX (Zone 8b)
December 16, 2011 7:55 AM Post #8931896
| Solar panels are at an extreme low price right now.
That link I sent you had them for 1.14 per watt. That is down 80 percent from seven years ago. You also get a fed discount on your taxes if that is still in effect. I received a 30 percent rebate on my costs when I bought mine a while back.
Remember that mono/polycrystaline panels usually will run at 80 percent capacity after 20 years.
Most people dont think twice about buying a new car every few years but dont realize that for less money, they could live energy free for the rest of their lives. The price of energy is only going up and the price of panels are only going down. It is a great time for solar energy. |
MrPappyG
Glassboro, NJ
December 17, 2011 10:45 PM Post #8933980
| Unfortunately the People that BE, are finding way's to stop us from being self sustainable,...
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SusanKC
Shawnee Mission, KS (Zone 6a)
March 4, 2012 5:12 AM Post #9029133
| I need some help with a homework assignment for a business class. I'm usually over on the recipe/gardening/Parking Lot area. And I've talked with one of the DG admin people to make sure it is okay to request help.
The homework assignment is a product interest survey that is on a made-up product. The product is a stand-alone structure that houses solar panels and also can be used for shade or rain shelter.
I have a number of gardeners but need some demographics in the solar/alternative energy area. The survey takes less than 5 minutes and the classroom assignment is due this week. If you would be interested in helping me out would you let me know?
Thanks
SusanKC
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crittergarden
Pittsburgh, PA
March 19, 2012 6:38 AM Post #9048424
| Thanks for the link - I'll go check it out.
I want to build a chicken coop and the best place to put it will NOT work with an extension cord for the heat lamp...
Would really prefer to put heat under the floor tiles (dark, and with a good south-facing window) as heat lamps can cause fires...
I saw solar panels at Harbor Freight for about $150 but have NO idea how to hook em up.
Have recieved no replies to my query ay backyardchickens.com.
So thanks for the discussion here! |
SusanKC
Shawnee Mission, KS (Zone 6a)
March 19, 2012 9:26 AM Post #9048699
| Here is a site that I've been on for solar information. You might find something there also. http://www.builditsolar.com/
You might find this interesting also. Chicken coup with living roof. http://kippenhouse.com/about.html
|
crittergarden
Pittsburgh, PA
March 19, 2012 2:28 PM Post #9049108
| Lots of reading to do there!
Yes, I've seen that green roofed coop. I'll probably green roof mine. I also saw some green roof birdhouses somewhere. Thinking of putting a few of those up, too. Pity I can't afford to do MY house! |
