Solar panels and how they work

Question

Hi,

I am thinking about getting solar panels installed. #1 I like to cut my electric bill. #2 I like to eliminate my oil boiler and use some sort of electric boiler.

I use about 15000-30000 KW per hour( winter-summer). My oil bill is around 600 month winter time. Over all i pay around 4000 a year. My electric bil now is around 2000-2500 year. Is this possible?

I live in NY. I heard you can get up to $35000 rebate from LIPA( Electric company) and 2k from federal and 5k from State( is the state or federal every year?, how does that work). Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

There is a variety of information available on the internet regarding solar panels. You didn't say if you were interested in installing a photo-voltaic system to generate electricity, or if you wanted a passive solar system.

From what I've read, the method that would give you the greatest payback for your investment is the passive solar heater. I can't give you exact instructions on how to construct one of these units, but there are many websites with instructions. My older brother had one of these mounted on his old farmhouse. He said his furnace didn't run all day during the cold Wisconsin winters.

The government rebates or tax credits are usually a one time deal. They may pay for part of your installation, but they won't cover the whole cost. The only thing I've heard of that will pay you every year is a wind generator tied into the electric grid, but thats another posting.

I'm including a link to a site that will show you how to build a cheap solar heater that you can try yourself.