I have lived on standalone solar power for over a decade now. I am 20km from the coast but do get fresh seabreezes daily.
I would make two observations (if thats ok)
1. a quality PV solar panel ( or rooftop solar array thereof) will not be adversely affected by salt spray as chandlery retailers sell solar panels and its 25y guarantee aluminium housing...
2. subject to your understanding/analysis of typical sunhours where the solar system shall reside, its a great way of providing cheap, renewable power for many years to come
(if I can in anyway help further, please PM as appropriate)
-- Edited by EllenajoeL on Sunday 21st of October 2012 08:50:07 PM
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A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
I'm certainly not expert on the subject, but I googled Solar Panels & Salt water & found -
Mitsubishi claim that their UD5 & UJ6 panels are OK near salt water. Another site talks about corrosion having long posed a problem near seaports & resorts etc. They go on to discuss the fittings rather than the actual panels. They suggest that clear or bronze anodised aluminium is OK & that warranty should cover any issues. They also talk about the need to be especially vigilant in cleaning & preventing the build up of potentially acidic/corrosive stuff. As in many things, maintenance is the key.
I reckon that there would be lots of installers in sea side locations who have developed sustainable product lines.
They use them on many seagoing craft these days so I suppose that there are lots of experts on the subject out there.
A mate of mine has rejuvinated panels pulled off trawlers that had some corrosion damage, but they had been treated rather roughly & not maintained. Easier for them to just replace the whole array from time to time I suppose.
Thanks for this, we are planning to put solar panels up on our new home on the coast, hadnt thought of salt corrosion. Have lived 20 years in Canberra, couldnt put solar panels on this roof because its shaded so heavily by gum trees, which we arent allowed to trim/remove. Will be so pleased to leave these trees!
I live on an island on the barrier reef and have panels on my roof for about 4 years. I live above 700m from the sea and have had no problems, other than flying objects during cyclones. My last power bill was $29 for 3 months. Great idea.Everybody should do it Bill
Thanks everyone for your answers. So if I wanted to be solar neutral, meaning i wanted to generate enough so that I don't even get a bill but not necessary looking to make money either, then what size would i need for a two story house. The whole house will be electric.
Thanks everyone for your answers. So if I wanted to be solar neutral, meaning i wanted to generate enough so that I don't even get a bill but not necessary looking to make money either, then what size would i need for a two story house. The whole house will be electric.
I would guess at this point that we are talking about a 'gridfeed'-type system, whereby you are connected to the mains power supply via your local electricity company....
if so, the answer to that question is based on simple science....
how much power, based on sunhours, can you collect in a given (typical) day given your geographical location and also the aspect of the solar panel location
how much power do you use (typically) during these daylight hours, as opposed to after dusk
what tariffs apply under your governance....usually measured in money 'given' for providing power to the grid when its not used vs money 'spent' using power either in excess of your daytime input OR after dusk....
Bottom line is, it about expected usage of power compared to expected collection....
Mate (apologies if this is all known to you BTW, I dont want to sound condescending here), some homework on your part shall provide the answer or thereabouts for sure.
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A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
Different answers will also apply depending on where you live. Feed-in tariffs (money paid to you for unused power you send back to the grid) in NSW are miniscule, other states are more generous. Don't forget that power bills don't just rely on consumption, there will be a fixed component as well to pay for the line.
Rather contentious subject at moment. I don't consider that you should be thinking about paying it off from "feed-in tariff" but you will save on paying the power bill. remember what you use after dark will all have to be purchased . Lots of things to do as after 11pm till 7am and all weekend it's all at half price. I have timer on washing machine and dishwasher, wife not too keen on ironing at 3am. I have 3.04kw and have calculated that will cover my account for two people. Doing all that I anticipated. ... Ballarat Bill
