GE Solar Electric Power Systems
I was at a National Kitchen and Bath Association meeting last week and picked up a GE brochure with a full glossy page on their residential solar electric power systems. Anyone know if those are good in the north--how they compare to other systems? Are they available in the Traverse City area?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Eric Hughes "The Green Home Designer" on -
Elizabeth.,
I have been able to get home here in Michigan down to near-zero or net-zero with the use of Photovoltaic panels.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Edwards on -
So are they the GE ones--and you are saying that they work up here. Wow, why aren't we all using them?
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Permalink Reply by Eric Hughes "The Green Home Designer" on
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Not necessarily the GE brand just Photovoltaic in general work well in Michigan. Remember there is a 30% tax credit you can use toward the purchase of Solar panels.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Edwards on
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What brand are yours and where do you get them.
Also, I saw you joined the Empire wind group. That's great!
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Permalink Reply by Eric Hughes "The Green Home Designer" on
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We use the Sharp brand. And my clients use Bauer Power. See the attached photo of our net-zero home with the Sharp Photovoltaic panels on the roof. Note the solar hot water panels mounted vertically above the sliding glass doors.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Truog on -
Hi Elizabeth,
Solar works great in northern Michigan. If you have the right location and situation. I have a very small (4 panels) solar electric system that I use to run my lights and stuff in my basement. I don't know much about GE's products in particular, but if you are interested in solar electric and/or solar hot water I would highly encourage it.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffery Stratton- J.D. Stratton Electric, Inc. on -
Elizabeth,
In the next few weeks I hope to have a customer that I'm installing solar panel system for up and running in the Glen Lake area that will be connected to my website, http://www.jdstrattonelectric.com , showing how well solar panels do in Northern Michigan. The information will be real time. I will try and remember when I get it up and running to post a link for people to see.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Edwards on
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Jeffery--keep me posted. I would love give this some coverage once it is up and running.
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Permalink Reply by Jeffery Stratton- J.D. Stratton Electric, Inc. on
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I hope to have my solar system that I am installing in the Glen Lake area live by the end of next week. I put a couple of pictures on my blog on here and my normal blog.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Columbus on -
Elizabeth,
Solar power does work well up here, I've had solar panels for about 4 months. I also used sharp, so I'm not sure how the GE panels are, but I'm sure they work well. I am saving a lot on my energy bills, which used to be really high, I was able to cut them by about half. Maybe I will add more panels in the future, but they're a big upfront investment and I'd rather do the install in peices.
Maybe this link will help you: Michigan solar installers, you can contact them to ask around which panels are most efficient.
Also, Jeffery, you might check out that site too, I think you can add an advertisement to promote your business locally. I'm not sure what the deal is with fees and all of that though.
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Permalink Reply by Dean Bull on -
We explored the idea of wind electric power back in 1972. The first step is always to reduce the amount of electricity one uses. Once we did that, the feasability of buying a windcharger was gone. I think we all need to go for these new ideas and use the new hardware that becomes available. Just don't forget that conserving on how much you use is a powerful tool--and it is free.
-Dean Bull
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Permalink Reply by Jeffery Stratton- J.D. Stratton Electric, Inc. on
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I have to agree with Dean. So many people that I talk to about wind and solar they want to add additional loads to the new system they want to install. The people never want to give up their current way of living. I always say they want to do the two of the three "R's" Recycle, Reuse, but for some reason they never want to do that third, Reduce. Which in my opinion is the biggest one of all. You have to give up something to gain something. So the most important thing before you install a renewable energy system for your home is to find ways to get your energy usage down first. It is always cheaper to install a system that produces 500kWh a month then one that has to make 1000 kWh a month. Any new system that I sell in the future will come with a home energy audit to help that purchaser maximize their new system to it's fullest potential. Also by having the energy audit done the purchaser will save even more money on their energy usage besides just on the electrical end of it. http://www.jdstrattonelectric.com
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