Is anyone on the island savvy on hooking up a house with solar power? I'm thinking of bringing down pannels from the US but wondering if its worth it????? With the cost of electricity down here, even if i could just run part of the house it must be a drop in the bucket.

Contact Eddie Halliday. He'll tell exactly what you need, what it will cost, and if its worth it to you. There is a lot more involved than just the panels.

True JZB...the biggest drawback I think is where to store the batteries. Unless you have a giant house with a spare room, that would be an issue.

I tried solar for 5 years as did all my neighbors because at the time land lines didn't reach my northern location.
It sucks compared to land lines . I trashed it as soon as I had an option. expensive and produces low voltage only, inverters loose power in the proces of inverting, batteries are expensive and 'life is like one big science project' is how my neighbor described it.
Having said that please let me say, a mixture of land line power, gravity feed water supply solar water heating and a few solar lights might be the perfect world, as long as good old fashioned hot AC wires are an option and not excluded.

The show Living with Ed featured a solar home - possibly Tiger Woods, and the batteries were small and really efficient - the show itself is pretty educational about what is out there.

Cheers.

Connie

Elbert: Put that dog to work spinning the wheel. Bill

I think that the solar technology has advanced significantly in the last 5 years. It may be a different experience.

How we remember Elbert's one battery and DC power --- the 45 minutes of light from a dim bulb each evening ------ yes, we admit it, he was our LANDLORD.

if you don't know Young Frankenstein that last part may not be so funny --- if you do, think Frau Blucher.

are you guys picking on me?
That was a decade ago Diane, my hair was black then and yours was blond.
Bill my new cabana has Air Condition run by city power.
I haven't been Robinson Crusoe for a long time now.:-)

Bit of Young Frankenstein triva: Why do the horses in the background whinney every time they say Frau Blucher?

Glue Factory chills.
google makes answers to questions like that unfair doesn't it.

I can hook it up, not a problem.

It is 100% worth with electrical prices three time the US.
It will pay for itself within 7 years or less.

Order a complete system 5000-7000W with grid-tied inverter 240V (this is a system which uses solar during the day and grid power during the night).
e.g. Sunnyboy SB5000US

Also get a roll or 2 of AWG8, Romax (2 prong plus ground-preferable outdoor) wire 250 feet (not included in the system).

The meter here spins back and you should achieve enough credit for the night.

Go and visit the windmill house (about 8 miles North of San Pedro) to see how good and simple it indeed works. They are combining solar, wind power both inverted to 240V and the grid.
During the day their meter spins back.

Wolfgang

I have a D/C fan that runs my attic exhaust fan,no batteries. Sun comes up and the Fan goes on,runs till dusk.It was so easy, we will add a couple more fans. This solar panel is over 10 years old and was very useful after Hurricane keith.Build your system as you go.