Q. We want to make a solar oven and install solar water heating on our house.
What is recommended for good water heating system here in SoCal? We have
the ideal roof for it: easy slope, facing south by south-southwest, no
obstructions.
On the solar oven, did you make an oven like the one pictured?
Are you using it?
What temperature [...]
Q. I read your article about installing solar panels at http://www.pathtofreedom.com/pathproject/offthegrid/solar.shtml and I would like to ask you some questions.
How did you attach the Unistrut to the roof? How did you attach the Unirac to the Unistrut? What was your roofing material?
Thank you.
-Bill
Sacramento CAA.
A. To answer your questions:1. A 6″- 8″ piece of unistrut with [...]
Q. What happens if you exceed the KW amount ?
A. The city of Pasadena is also offering its residents a chance to switch any grid energy sources to “Green Power.” Taking advantage of this means that any additional energy that our household uses will now be from a green source.
Q. How much KW does your system produce?
A. Our solar array photovoltaic system consists of 12 Sharp 165 panels and a 1800 Sunny Boy Inverter. The 12 panel system should, on a prime day, produce approximately 7.2 KW. Since installing our system in late November, on a sunny winter’s day the system produces approximately 4.2 [...]
Q. What kind of system would I need?
A. Some points you may want to consider in deciding about a solar pv system before you contact a solar company (or DIY).
1. Do you have a south facing section (rooftop or arbor) that receives adequate sunlight, i.e., no nearby trees or building that would shade the [...]
Q. What’s the difference between off grid vs net metered?
A. Producing our power means having the potential to be more energy independent while still being able to use the grid for backup. With utility “net metering” we get a bill from the power company only once a year. This allows us to “run the meter [...]
Q. How long does it take to heat to cooking temp?
A. Thanks for the question. Brad, it takes about 2-3 hours to reach over 350 degrees.
Q. Is it hard to maintain a consistent temperature?
A. No, it’s well insulated and can maintain a constant temp for a few hours.
Q. Do you use any kind of [...]
Q. How long have you been using your sun oven?
A. We’ve been using solar ovens since the late 1990s. Over the years, we’ve made our share of cardboard solar box cookers (including one from a recycled pizza box). However, over time the cardboard would get dented or just look ratty. [...]
Q. I’ve been envying your outdoor shower for a couple of years now. I should just bite the bullet and try to build one of my own!
I was wondering, does the water heat up as it travels through the black hose or is it more of a case of letting the water warm up in [...]
Q. Do you know of any local companies that install Solar systems panels?
A. You may want to contact EE Solar in Pomona, CA http://www.eesolar.com/
Q. …we’d like to do some solar cooking and are unsure of how/what to do. – Tia
A. Cooking with the sun is fun, easy and environmentally friendly. We made our first sun oven out of cardboard and aluminum foil over 12 years ago and have cooked with the sun free ray’s ever since. What I [...]
Q. Today’s question (I’m sure there will be more to come): Would a cob oven be O.K. in a Southern Ontario Canadian Winter or would I have to store it indoors for the winter?
A. Cob is great anywhere! In cold and rainy climates folks build permanent structures for their cob oven to [...]
