I used to think rooftop wind power was not really worth it in terms of power generated per dollar spent on the wind turbine. Now… well, the wind here hasn’t dropped below 30kph for at least the past 24 hours and I am definitely wondering if it might actually be sensible in some areas. It’s certainly got a cheaper cost-to-install over solar, though I dunno how well all the moving bits will weather in the high salt/sand/sun environment here.
If I had it to do over again, I'd prefer photovoltaic panels on some freestanding structure, rather than on my roof. Eventually that roof will have to be redone, and removing/reinstalling the panels is going to be even more labor than the original installation.
My dream: solar panels or solar glass OVER my roof.
@BlueDot we may be getting the roof redone this year and I’m considering solar with a battery. Not sure it’s worth it, given how many gas appliances I still have — the money will probably be more effectively spent replacing the gas HVAC system instead. Maybe once we’re full electric it’ll be sensible. Or once our rates go up again.
@wordshaper Solar-with-battery-storage wasn't an option when I installed, and that's another thing I'd like to get done. I'm paying an arbitrary fee monthly for access to the grid.
@BlueDot I have no issue with grid access fees — that’s fine, infrastructure needs to be paid for, especially when I’ll be drawing from or sending to the grid. Having battery storage these days makes sense, it should help the duck curve duck less. New battery chemistries look like they’re helping the cost issue there, and maybe when I finally get things done they’ll be properly cheap. (Heavy I’m sure but for stationary batteries who cares?)
@wordshaper I was just reading an article with stats suggesting that the home solar industry is collapsing, primarily due to the demise of government incentives and utility power buy back programs.
@lauren eh, maybe, though I suspect that’s both overblown and temporary. Also I’m currently in Guadeloupe so entirely different government regulations and subsidies apply. :)
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