VInowVImovingcenterLiving In De VIVItraders

Join discussions on moving to and living in the USVI, ask questions, share info & tips! (Vacationing? Visit Travel Message Board)

Welcome! Log In Create A New Profile Board Rules & Help

Forum List Message List New Topic Search
kass
Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 11, 2012 08:34AM
A few weeks ago, people posted about solar power rebates in this thread: [www.vimovingcenter.com]

Would anyone please share their experiences with installing PV cells or wind turbines? Did you do it all yourself or are there contractors on STX?

Thanks!
Reply Quote
Bruno
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 11, 2012 12:40PM
There are no more local rebates. There is a 30% Fed tax credit. PM me for info as I am an PV & Wind designer/installer in business for 29 years now.
Reply Quote
Jeff Kruse
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 12, 2012 03:28PM
The equipment for a grid tied 3KW system costs less than $10k. I don't understand why more VI'ers don't do that?
Reply Quote
Neil
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 12, 2012 09:06PM
Check your figures Jeff.
A 1.2 kw turbine can be purchased for less than 10 grand but then you gotta pay to get it here and install it and it wouldn't cover even half the typical WAPA bill incurred by the kind of homeowner who could afford 10 grand.

Even when the VI Energy office offered amazing rebates on solar water heaters, most islanders turned their nose up at them.
Reply Quote
Jeff Kruse
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 13, 2012 02:39PM
Quote
Neil
Check your figures Jeff.
A 1.2 kw turbine can be purchased for less than 10 grand but then you gotta pay to get it here and install it and it wouldn't cover even half the typical WAPA bill incurred by the kind of homeowner who could afford 10 grand.

Even when the VI Energy office offered amazing rebates on solar water heaters, most islanders turned their nose up at them.

I should have said Solar. 95% of small wind setups/sales are no good because there isn't enough wind or the equipment is bad.

Solar is very reliable and cheap now. Panels are less than $1/Watt. I paid more 3 years ago and had everything shipped to PR. Again, the cost of Grid tied solar is not that expensive. 3KW for $3K, 3KW inverter $2K, Mounting $2K, Misc $1K, Shipping $1 - 2K-split with a friend and save half. 3KWH*4.5Hours a day is 13.5KWH a day * what? 40cents? = $5 a day * 365 = $2K per year. Payback in 5 or 6 years give or take.
Reply Quote
MissJustice
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 28, 2012 04:52PM
Make sure you get inverter/batteries. Otherwise, you will be without power in the middle of the day with a roof full of panels.
Reply Quote
Neil
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 28, 2012 09:54PM
Quote
Jeff Kruse
Quote
Neil
Check your figures Jeff.
A 1.2 kw turbine can be purchased for less than 10 grand but then you gotta pay to get it here and install it and it wouldn't cover even half the typical WAPA bill incurred by the kind of homeowner who could afford 10 grand.

Even when the VI Energy office offered amazing rebates on solar water heaters, most islanders turned their nose up at them.

I should have said Solar. 95% of small wind setups/sales are no good because there isn't enough wind or the equipment is bad.

Solar is very reliable and cheap now. Panels are less than $1/Watt. I paid more 3 years ago and had everything shipped to PR. Again, the cost of Grid tied solar is not that expensive. 3KW for $3K, 3KW inverter $2K, Mounting $2K, Misc $1K, Shipping $1 - 2K-split with a friend and save half. 3KWH*4.5Hours a day is 13.5KWH a day * what? 40cents? = $5 a day * 365 = $2K per year. Payback in 5 or 6 years give or take.

Having been part of an organization which received three solar quotes on Stx in the fall of 2010, I can say that your numbers are either wrong, or don't include the electrical and installation, or prices have dropped by half since then. I hope it's the latter but kind of doubt it.

Notes:
--Many locations on Stx are great for wind.
--Batteries are too expensive. Some Local experts thus recommend having a generator for times when the grid goes down.
--It takes a substantial number of Solar panels all mounted at a precise angle to generate enough power (5-6kw) to zero out the $ize of WAPA bill those who can afford solar are trying to zero out.
Reply Quote
billd
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 29, 2012 07:46AM
I put in 3K of solar under last years Government giveaway to home owners. Although I do not believe in govenment giveaways I felt that if I did not take it some one else would.

The job was done in a few days and the panels are up and running now that WAPA came out and did their last thing and replaced the meter.

During the day (10 am or so) they put out about 2800 watts. Pretty close to the max of 3K.

Now we will see how long it takes for me to get my money back from another wonderful well managed VI government agency.

These things would be a long pay off period if I did not get 1/2 back. With the 1/2 back it will take 3-4 years, not the 2-3 that was advertised.

And I changed my roof line from a flat roof to a pitched roof for about 3000, which was on my dime but I wanted to do that anyway.

Now I have more roof space. I can order the same panels from ebay,, install them myself as it is really simple, for about 7000.

billd
Reply Quote
Neil
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
April 30, 2012 10:03AM
Quote
billd
I put in 3K of solar under last years Government giveaway to home owners. Although I do not believe in govenment giveaways I felt that if I did not take it some one else would.

The job was done in a few days and the panels are up and running now that WAPA came out and did their last thing and replaced the meter.

During the day (10 am or so) they put out about 2800 watts. Pretty close to the max of 3K.

Now we will see how long it takes for me to get my money back from another wonderful well managed VI government agency.

These things would be a long pay off period if I did not get 1/2 back. With the 1/2 back it will take 3-4 years, not the 2-3 that was advertised.

And I changed my roof line from a flat roof to a pitched roof for about 3000, which was on my dime but I wanted to do that anyway.

Now I have more roof space. I can order the same panels from ebay,, install them myself as it is really simple, for about 7000.

billd

That's awesome billd. But I can't see any 3kw complete system for anywhere near that.
For example, Sam's Club's 3kw complete system is $14 grand, not installed.
A 3kw system would generate about $250 a month in Wapa savings.

The 'pitch' of the roof is something many people don't have
Power generation efficiency drops off dramatically if your panels aren't optimally angled to the sun.
People think they can create a pitched rack on their roofs, --because they've seen it in the states. But in hurricane prone areas, panels mounted on an angle are WINGS. You can always take them down, but for some people, that's more than they bargained for.
Reply Quote
Jeff Kruse
Re: Solar and Wind Power installation on STX
May 01, 2012 12:11PM
[www.sunelec.com]

Here you go, a quick search. $5,366 for a 3220W system without mounting. Add about 2K for mounting.

BTW, PR, St Croix, ect, panels will do fine flat. 18 degrees may give optimal production but flat is fine. 18 degrees allows for good air flow and better cleaning from the rain. Mount them properly and they are rated for Cat3 winds or more.
Reply Quote
Newer Topic Older Topic

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

The Ultimate Resource for Moving to and Living in the Virgin Islands - St. Thomas St. John St. Croix Water Island
Copyright © 2002 - 2012 VI Moving Center All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertising