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+--- Thread: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. (/showthread.php?tid=7460)
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Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - hotinhawaii - 08-22-2010
Check this out: http://www.clariantechnologies.com/ It is a simple plug-in solar or wind supplemental energy system that you install your self. It works on either a regular electric system or a completely off grid system.
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Royall - 08-22-2010
Interesting. If they can come in at the lower cost they project, then I could see giving it a go maybe.
Royall
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Kapohocat - 08-22-2010
Wonder what HELCO will say about it? My guess is that someone in HELCO is already looking at some tiny piece of legislature to say why we wont be able to use this in Hawaii.
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Liz - 08-22-2010
Actually, this technology is already available, just that GE is promoting this company.
We have a similar (but different, obviously, since Clarion is in the idea & development phase)system installed using Enphase inverters.
And HELCO has plenty of hoops to jump through if you want to grid-tie it, but it is possible. Our electric bill went down to only 1/3 of what it was. Gotta love that!
aloha, Liz
"The best things in life aren't things."
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - hotinhawaii - 08-22-2010
I am not sure you understand the technology. You buy this and just plug it in. There is no installation, no permits. I do not see how Helco would even know what you are doing. It is sort of an automatic grid tie system. It is safe because it requires power to operate, meaning that if the power shut off, so would the clarian system.
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Cagary - 08-22-2010
How much power is 30kWh/month? (the monthly output of the smaller system)?
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Seeb - 08-22-2010
About one light bulb
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Little Bill - 08-22-2010
You cannot grid tie anything without first having a permit from helco.
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - jerry - 08-22-2010
I plan to look into this further but from their web site:
"In a Smart-Energy Network, each and every electrical device drawing power from the grid, large or small, acts as an intelligent agent communicating operational status to the local and regional power utility, collecting information on grid conditions and responding in ways that increase energy efficiency and reduce power infrastructure requirements, ..."
To me this means you need a "smart meter" and a "smart grid" so your equipment can "talk" to the grid. Which means permits, etc. Helco's big argument is that they do not have a smart grid and can only accept a small amount of alternative energy. So upgrade the gird already!
I have installed an Enphase system. These microinverter systems, especially as costs drop, seem highly practical.
edit: Not sure on this but: If you have an old style meter with the rotating wheel you could connect something like this to it and energy you produce would reduce your cost. If you have a newer digital meter you will be paying Helco for the energy you produce.
edit: I wonder how this will meet NEC code requirements for grid tied system disconnects?
Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com
RE: Plug in solar and wind system coming soon. - Kapohocat - 08-23-2010
quote:
Originally posted by hotinhawaii
I am not sure you understand the technology...
If you were referring to my post, yes I do understand the technology. Jerry actually spelled it out with the correct verbiage above much better.
And yes I still see HELCO finding some place to whine.