# Anyone Here Using Solar or Wind Power? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 26, 2008, 6:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524 "2008-09-26T06:49:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Switch620](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Switch620](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Switch620)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 8:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/21 "2008-09-27T08:11:08Z")
Hey Spence. You are right I was looking into this as well, depending on the roof and the type of panels(efficiency) you are looking at around 15k to 30k, the rate of return on most systems is around 5 years, cool thing is they are coming out with a new type of panel in the next year or so that utilizes all the available light spectrum wavelengths, which means power on cloudy days. Unfortunately I dont have that kind of money or I would definately do it. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/22 "2008-09-29T06:35:12Z")
Wat? 5 years? How did you come up with that number? Just curious because I sliced it every which way and didn’t come anywhere near 5 years. It is at least 25 years with my house in WNY. Maybe a small house in New Mexico but not here. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/23 "2008-09-29T06:46:27Z")
> [@AWDrifter](#): > > Wat? > 5 years? > How did you come up with that number? > Just curious because I sliced it every which way and didn’t come anywhere near 5 years. > It is at least 25 years with my house in WNY. > Maybe a small house in New Mexico but not here. Yeah, I’m curious about his 5 year statement as well. Even if you’re doing just a grid tie in system with no batteries there is no way you’re going to break even in 5. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 6:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/24 "2008-09-29T06:57:29Z")
Perhaps this link will help you in your endeavor. [http://www.mdpub.com/Wind\_Turbine/index.html](http://www.mdpub.com/Wind_Turbine/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/25 "2008-09-29T07:49:41Z")
Pen, if you can tap into that NG buy an NG vehicle.My bro in law is looking into it. And yes start up is crazy for solar as I was looking into doing it at the plaza.Wasn’t worth it financially but depending on the tax breaks it could’ve been close.I didn’t look into that far. ---
**Author:** ![SpenceSpeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spencespeed/32/7355_2.png) [@SpenceSpeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SpenceSpeed)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/26 "2008-09-29T07:54:25Z")
That link is awesome…thanks. ---
**Author:** ![jrod0187](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@jrod0187](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jrod0187)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/27 "2008-09-29T13:47:48Z")
Kinda off topic but the windmills in Lackawanna will start to generate profit in 20- 25 years. They cost $8 million a piece to build producing 2.5 mega watts a piece. Cohocton, NY is in the process of building 68 of them I believe. Not sure if this hasn’t been said yet, but my co-worked looked into buying 4 of them to power his house in Chaffee @ 5k a piece. ---
**Author:** ![mechanicalmadness](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mechanicalmadness/32/5022_2.png) [@mechanicalmadness](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mechanicalmadness)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/28 "2008-09-29T14:04:11Z")
Ok might have not seen this because I skipped most of the posts when all of this got political. Anyway. you would need a decent amount of equipment to the tune of at least 10k to make it worth your while. You would also need a " main power switch"(cant remember what its actually called). The “MPS” is basically a switch that transfers power back into the grid, and turns your electric meter backwards, thus reducing or eliminating power cost. Oh ya. That gizmo also has to be installed by a certified electrician or the electric company. i think that varies from state to state. Ok than you need a bank of batteries, with voltage regulators and a bunch of other shit. Now to really make it worth your while you can also convert some of your 120volt appliances such as radios and TV’s to 12v. Its actually simpler than it sounds because most of them are designed to operate off of 12v anyway. They just have a transformer in them that bumps the 120v down to around 12ish. Im sure Im missing a shitload details so if anyone would like they can add things to my little list of items lol. I did however hear about some dude in Cassadaga that runs a 8hp generator off of a HHO system entirely with no need for gasoline. Dont know if it’s fact or fiction but i suppose if the volume of gas is there than why not. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/29 "2008-09-29T17:02:54Z")
> [@jrod0187](#): > > Kinda off topic but the windmills in Lackawanna will start to generate profit in 20- 25 years. They cost $8 million a piece to build producing 2.5 mega watts a piece. > > Cohocton, NY is in the process of building 68 of them I believe. > > Not sure if this hasn’t been said yet, but my co-worked looked into buying 4 of them to power his house in Chaffee @ 5k a piece. Is that before or after most of them broke down and had to have major components replaced? To be fair because they failed so soon after going up I believe the manufacturer replaced them under warranty. When they fail again in 5 years all bets are off though. I love how people say “it will make a profit in 20+ years”. Ok, but it’s a huge device with lots of moving parts. Sure, it might recover the intial investment in 20 years but what about when you add up all the money maintaining something? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/30 "2008-09-29T19:52:45Z")
Here is a link to what I mentioned before. IMHO THIS HAS HUGE POTENTIAL. These could be mass produced and EASILY put to use. [http://www.magenn.com/](http://www.magenn.com/) ---
**Author:** ![skatanic28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@skatanic28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/skatanic28)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/31 "2008-09-29T20:09:16Z")
grid-tie \> battery storage imo, unless you are looking at a remote installation it is still pretty costly, but NYSERDA does offer some incentives to reduce the costs for the homeowner. this doesnt apply to DIY’ers though ---
**Author:** ![skatanic28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@skatanic28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/skatanic28)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/32 "2008-09-29T20:10:55Z")
quick/easy estimation tool for pv: [http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes\_algs/PVWATTS/](http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/) ---
**Author:** ![bpipe95](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bpipe95/32/7294_2.png) [@bpipe95](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bpipe95)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/33 "2008-09-29T20:26:51Z")
> [@skatanic28](#): > > grid-tie \> battery storage imo, unless you are looking at a remote installation > > it is still pretty costly, but NYSERDA does offer some incentives to reduce the costs for the homeowner. this doesnt apply to DIY’ers though exactly, at this point there is no reason to buy a battery storage, when you can MAKE money via Net metering. I have posted several times here that NYSERDA has great incentives but no one ever takes the time to see just how good they are. > **[Sun Nature Power Solutions](https://www.powernaturally.org/)** > > ... Wind Installer Erie County Robert Boender Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC 163 North Main Street, Suite 202 Stamford, CT 06902 Phone: 203-316-9219 [robert.boender@snet.net](mailto:robert.boender@snet.net) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. Roy Butler Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC 8902 Route 46 Arkport, NY 14807 Phone: 607-324-9747 [Roy@four-winds-energy.com](mailto:Roy@four-winds-energy.com) Gay Canough ETM Solar Works 533 Woodford Avenue Endicott, NY 13760 Phone: 607-785-6499 / 607-786-3388 [info@etmsolar.com](mailto:info@etmsolar.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 20kW or less. Joseph DiFrancisco North Coast Energy Systems 529 East 29th Street Erie, PA 16501-1113 Phone: 814-459-9378 Fax: 814-459-9373 [nces@verizon.net](mailto:nces@verizon.net) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. George McConochie Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. 6304 Furnace Road Ontario, NY 14519 Phone: 315-524-9010 [info@sed-net.com](mailto:info@sed-net.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. Anthony Pereira Altpower, Inc. 160 Fifth Avenue, Suite 807 New York, NY 10010-7028 Phone: 212-206-0547 [anthony@altpower.com](mailto:anthony@altpower.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. Ernest Pritchard Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. 6304 Furnace Road Ontario, NY 14519 Phone: 315-524-9010 [info@sed-net.com](mailto:info@sed-net.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. Loren Pruskowski Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. 6304 Furnace Road Ontario, NY 14519 Phone: 315-524-9010 [info@sed-net.com](mailto:info@sed-net.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less Daniel Schumann Green Arc Energy 6519 Townpath Road East Syracuse, NY Phone: 315-524-9010 Fax: 315-524-9046 [dschumann@greenarcenergy.com](mailto:dschumann@greenarcenergy.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 50 kW or less. David Strong Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. 6304 Furance Road Ontario, NY 14519 Phone: 315-524-9010 Fax: 315-524-9046 [dave.strong@sed-net.com](mailto:dave.strong@sed-net.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less Joseph Swaha Sustainable Energy Developments, Inc. 6304 Furnace Road Ontario, NY 14519 Phone: 315-524-9010 [info@sed-net.com](mailto:info@sed-net.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10KW or less Art Weaver Renovus Energy, Inc. 102 Cherry Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: 607-277-1777 [art@renovusenergy.com](mailto:art@renovusenergy.com) Eligible to install: any qualified wind turbine 10kW or less. Andy Young AY Solar 509 Alpine Drive Vestal, NY 13850 Phone: 607-760-8176 [info@ay-solar.us](mailto:info@ay-solar.us) if you want actual info contact an installer and they can help you, I listed all the NYSERDA recommended installers for WIND power in Erie county. You can look up the same for solar if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524/34 "2008-09-30T05:59:45Z")
I did, it just does not pay off soon enough. Maybe my house is too big and the requirements are too big. That said, I don’t have a well pump or sump pump and it still didn’t look good. That included a $20,000 “rebate” from NY! I would still have to lay out $30,000. If I invested $30,000 and just paid my electric bill I would be way ahead. Like someone mentioned, the panel technology is advancing and the prices will eventually drop. I will look again in a couple years. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/anyone-here-using-solar-or-wind-power/55524.md?page=1)