Set-it-and-forget-it Plug-n-play No moving parts Unfortunately these don't necessarily apply only to those trying to make a fast buck!
Cheers! Brian Mehalic NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional(tm) R031508-59 IREC Certified Instructor(tm) PV US-0132 PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor Solar Energy International http://www.solarenergy.org On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 1:30 PM, Dan Fink <danbo...@gmail.com> wrote: > I absolutely recommend including the build-your-own solar panel schemes / > scams that Dave mentioned -- there are a zillion of them, most have a "4" > in the URL (power4patriots, etc) > > One thing I have noticed online with people selling PV modules (Amazon and > Ebay) and alternators for homebuilt wind turbines (all over the 'net) is -- > multiplying open-circuit voltage by closed-circuit amperage to get > overrated "watts" , and a video of the multimeter to "prove" it. Ouch. Good > teachable moment on how to use a multimeter, though. > > You might also include the very popular (on Ebay) little grid-tie > inverters that take DC solar input on one side and simply plug into a wall > outlet on the other side. > > I also admit to, when in a whimsical mood, asking staff at Home Depot / > Ace hardware etc., how to make up a male to male extension cord so my Honda > generator can run my house in an emergency. One of these days I'll find a > co-conspiritor with a tiny camera and make an educational video of it. > > > Dan Fink, > Executive Director; > Otherpower > Buckville Energy Consulting > Buckville Publications LLC > NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers > 970.672.4342 > > > > > On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 6:53 PM, Dave Click <davecl...@fsec.ucf.edu>wrote: > >> If you also have the local electricians selling the kvar units as >> surefire ways to save 30% on your electric bill, I'd nominate that as >> myth/scheme/scam, though I hope most of those resellers are doing so only >> because they're naive. There was also some absurd company a few years ago >> which was selling a "3000W" module that looked suspiciously like a 200W >> module yet could produce a steady 3kW even without any load and even while >> in the shade. They had the clamp-on meter to prove it, so maybe they're >> still selling off area code exclusivity off for a mere $50,000 initial >> deposit. >> >> Screen-shots from this would be fun-- one of the ubiquitous "$50 for this >> complete guide to unplugging from grid by making your own solar panels" >> http://www.powerfreedom.com/System/ >> >> The YellowBook ad from a few years ago: >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpHxEhO_DQ >> >> I don't know where I got this picture-- from one of the "make your own >> solar panel" things online. Lovely aesthetics! >> https://www.dropbox.com/s/bxhl3q6hrr9z5sp/DIY%20PV.png >> >> >> >> >> On 2014/4/12, 16:47, Allan Sindelar wrote: >> >> Fellow Wrenches, >> Last year I prepared an hour's presentation for our local Solar Fiesta on >> "Energy Myths, Schemes and Scams". I covered mostly PV and the solar >> industry, with a few slides about the physics of wind and those cute spinny >> yard-art things called VAWTs. I also hit on "it takes more energy to make >> a PV panel than it will ever produce", the limitations of 25-year module >> warranties, "free energy generators", James McKirdy, lunar modules, and >> modules with fraudulent listings. This was what I was able to pull together. >> >> The workshop was popular and I have been asked to give it again in a >> couple of weeks. I'm looking for any suggestions that you may have for new >> or additional material to update the presentation. Any ideas are welcome, >> especially if you can provide links to good stories and slide materials. >> This is for a general non-technical audience, but I have the freedom to go >> in any direction I wish. So I'd like to be more than just entertaining, but >> make points about value over price, using local installers with knowledge >> and experience, etc. >> >> Beside my appreciation for the material, I'll offer in return to share an >> editable version of the presentation for your own use (although it's a 14 >> meg PowerPoint file at present). >> >> Thank you in advance for your suggestions of anything that gets your >> blood boiling, that would be funny if it wasn't giving PV and clean energy >> a bad name. >> Allan >> -- >> >> *Allan Sindelar* >> *al...@positiveenergysolar.com* <al...@positiveenergysolar.com> >> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional >> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional >> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician >> Founder (Retired), *Positive Energy, Inc.* >> >> A Certified B CorporationTM >> *505 780-2738 <505%20780-2738> cell* >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change email address & >> settings:http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette:www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios:www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Home Power magazine > > List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > > Change email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > List rules & etiquette: > www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > > Check out participant bios: > www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >
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