Have you been intrigued and tempted by the dramatic 50% drop in the price of rooftop home photovoltaics over the last two years, but still hestitate to lock yourself into such a big commitment until you know more?
Westinghouse Solar may have the solution for you -- a series of new do-it-yourself, low cost, modular solar panel kits, that contains a micro-inverter built into each panel, and mounting brackets. You can buy one, two, or as many as you like, and install them yourself, although an electrician is recommended to connect them via a circuit-breaker to your house power. This are upgrades from the original DIY kits they introduced two years ago, and contain built-in inverters.
If you like, though, you can run it independently, say to power outdoor lights, or an aquarium project, until you build enough confidence to take a bigger plunge to generate the majority of your own electrical needs. Because, these panels have built in inverters, that deliver AC current, you leave out one of the big expenses, of traditional designs.
I know from past comments, a lot of our readers have been waiting for just such a product. And, the costs are so low, the pay back time in Hawaii is less than two years and four years in Florida.
Andrew Burger, of Clean Technica, reports, Westinghouse Solar Introduces Low Cost All In One Home Solar Powered Kits.
Photo Credit Westinghouse Solar
Westinghouse Solar announced today the introduction of “all-in-one,” do-it-yourself (DIY) solar power system kits for the home.
The kits’ low cost and ease of installation make them “very appealing to contractors and do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners who, until now, have been put off by the high price of a rooftop system,” according to a Westinghouse Solar press release.
Each kit includes Westinghouse Solar AC panels with integrated racking and inverters, roof flashings and panel splices. Customers need only add wiring to the rooftop and a circuit breaker in the home’s electrical service panel to start producing clean, renewable power. Though its targeting the DIY homeowner, as well as contractors, Westinghouse recommends that a licensed professional electrician take care of the wiring to ensure that it’s safe and up to code.
And, check out the quickest payback accounting I've ever seen, offered by Westinghouse Solar, CEO, Barry Cinnamon. (Talk about cool business cards -- "Solar CEO," I like that sound of that. Hey, does that make me a "solar logger?")
“What has been lost in the recent news about the solar industry is that solar panels are less than half the price they were just two years ago. These cost reductions are terrific news for consumers. Now, paybacks in many states are less than five years — after which homeowners get free electricity from their system,” Cinnamon said. ...
As an example, Cinnamon offered the case of a home installation in Hawaii, where a “simple, four panel installation” costs less than $1,500 after federal and state incentives. At an electric rate of $0.40/kWh (kilowatt-hour), the “all-in-one” solar PV system saves the homeowner $660 a year in electricity expenses and pays for itself in two years.
A similar system in New York will cost the homeowner $900 after federal and state incentives, save $230 a year at $0.20/kWh and pay for itself in four years. In California, the system would pay for itself in five years.
Wow, this is an impressive quote for several reasons. But readers should note that Hawaii's $0.20/kWh electrical rates are the highest I've seen. Even, $0.20/kWh for New York seems high? I'll check into these more. I was under the impression that some areas in the Pacific Northwest were below $0.08/kWh.
Could I ask our readers to help me out in a quick national electric rate survey, here. Please check out your bill and let us know in the comments what you rate for kWh is.
But, the bigger picture is that solar panels that include the inverter and mounting brackets, and all the fixings, that are inexpensive enough to play with as a hobby are a big breakthrough.
I may get one to run my aquarium equipment.
Let's check out Westinghouse Soar’s Web Page for more information.
http://www.westinghousesolar.com/...
Easy to install, easy on your mind.
Doing it yourself means having confidence in the finished product. That’s what you get with Westinghouse Solar. With reliable technology and a modular design, make Westinghouse Solar your latest home improvement project.
Reliable performance, safe and simple installation.
If you’re going to do it yourself, it’s critical that all your work will pay off. That’s why Westinghouse Solar is ideal for the do-it-yourselfer. It’s reliable and high performing, and the modular design allows you to install Westinghouse Solar incrementally over time or all at once. In fact, 80% less parts than other systems means simple, faster installation.
Power for the way you live.
The Westinghouse Solar Power System is good for the planet, and even better for your budget. It will not only decrease your dependency on foreign and fossil-fueled energy sources, but will dramatically reduce - in some cases even eliminate - your energy bill.
The Westinghouse warranty.
You have our word on it. Every Westinghouse Solar Power System is backed by the proven reliability of the Westinghouse name. Our warranty covers panels for 25 years, inverters for 15 years. ...
Safe, reliable AC power.
Unlike the high-voltage DC current powering ordinary systems, Westinghouse Solar Power systems feature a built-in technology that delivers safe AC power. In addition, our innovative design guards the system from the corrosive effects of sun, wind and rain to provide decades of optimal performance.
Apparently, three standard kit sizes are now available.
The Westinghouse solar power for the home kits come in three sizes: a 20-panel contractor kit that provides enough electricity for about 70% of a homeowner’s needs; a 4-panel starter kit, and a single-panel kit for those who aren’t sure about solar power for the home and want to experiment on a very small-scale.
If no one calls in the prices at Lowe’s in the comments soon, I'll call and find out myself, after dinner.
What better way to get over the Solyndra blues?
Please let us know if you buy these. Kosowatt readers want to know all the details.
Your dedicated Solar and Alternative Energy Blogger,
HoundDog.
PS (Hey does anyone have the UID Solar Dog yet?)
Aaauuuhhhhoooooo!
PS: I usually wait at least 10 or 20 minutes before shameless pandering my diaries in J Town, and all, or pulling calling in the Hypnotoad, out of dignity and class.
But, since my August vacation I've dropped from an average of 13 to 18 diaries a week to barely 1.
My motivation and work discipline are shattered. I barely qualify as a lurker here now.
So I hope readers will forgive me if I pull out all the Hypnotoad right from the start.
Hypnotoad says you will support US Solar Power and clean renewable alternative energy!
You will happily vote for Democrats in 2012!
And, you will rec Solar Dog's -- oooops I mean HoundDog's informative and uplifting diary!
3:17 PM PT: From the Westinghouse Solar Site:
AC 235w Solar Power System Kits
New all-in-one rooftop solar kits. The combination of affordable pricing—along with the ease of installation that the Westinghouse Solar Power System provides—makes these new kits the right solution for contractors and do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners to install and later expand a rooftop system.
1-Pack AC 235 Kit 1-Pack AC 235 watt Kit Includes:
1 – Westinghouse Solar 235 watt AC panel
4 – composition shingle roof mounting brackets
2 – interconnection splices (for multiple panel installations)
1 – 240 VAC wiring connector
1 – Westinghouse Solar installation wrench
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4-Pack AC 235 Kit 4-Pack AC 235 watt Kit Includes:
4 – Westinghouse Solar 235 watt AC panels
10 – composition shingle roof mounting brackets
7 – interconnection splices
3 – N-S mounting brackets
1 – 240 VAC wiring connector
2 – Westinghouse Solar installation wrenches
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20-Pack AC 235 Kit 20-Pack AC 235 watt Kit Includes:
20 – Westinghouse Solar 235 watt AC panels
30 – composition shingle roof mounting brackets
36 – interconnection splices
10 – N-S mounting brackets
2 – 240 VAC wiring connectors
2 – Westinghouse Solar installation wrenches