Does San Francisco get enough sunshine to really make solar panels a viable option for creating a self-supporting home? Certainly a wind turbine would be a good source of energy, but what about solar panels? Does S.F. get enough sunshine to justify using solar panels? It's overcast a lot in the Bay Area, are there any solar panels better than others for a climate like this?
I know nothing about the Bay area, I live in KC. However, I believe that solar is the best answer to alternative energy. We should have solar panels everywhere, the suns going to be shining somewhere. I propose we make gigantic panels in the deserts where the sun shines and nobody lives, and hook everybody up to the grid. They can store energy when they get a lot of sun to make up for the dark days. They are expensive to make so we should start building them one by one all over. The sun is not going to stop shining for millions of years. Plus there is no pollution from solar. So, yes put them in the bay and back here in KC too.
Yes, San Francisco gets enough sunshine. That will vary depending on your site location, some are better than others. The best way to find out how much electricity your specific location can generate is to get a quote from a solar company. I am in the process of getting PV's installed on my home in the Sacto area and got quotes from 3 companies. My home is in a good, not optimal possition and depending on where on the roof I place the panels my efficiency will vary. Also depending on the brand of panels, some will take less square footage on the roof to produce the same amount of electricity. The price on all 3 were very close to each other. All 3 companies I dealt with gave a no cost/no obligation quote, and they were are very knowledgeable about the specific utility rebates I would be eligable for. I say it is well worth the time to check it out. My system should be going onto my roof in just a few more weeks. I was able to get nearly 50% of my cost refunded by my utitlity, plus my federal tax rebate. My system should be paid for in about 6 years.
Solar works even if the sun can not be seen. Germany is using them and with success, even though they do not nave sun like Sacramento. Another option is to use solar concentrating collectors at malls, open fields... But we have to set them up to use the heat when the low BTU's will not turn the turbine. Hilltop is an example of a place to put this type of system. This is what I am working on.
I just saw an episode of Renovation nation on Planet green. They built a house is Washington State that ran on solar. It was still hooked to the grid but it was project to be a net 0 home. So if they can do it there you should be able to do it. I have also been looking at solar. Good Luck.
PV Solar panels all work the same. There aren't any climate specific ones. There is enough sun in San Francisco to produce energy using solar panels however, the the same panels located in a sunnier area will produce more energy. Depending on the size of your system, you will probably need a few more panels than an area that receives more sun to produce the same amount of energy. But they will still produce energy, even on overcast days. The solar installers will make all the calculations to determine what size system you will need to produce as much energy as you want. In California, you don't want to produce more than you consume in a 2 month period because currently, you are not able to sell your excess credits back to PGE after your 2 month cycle. Your system will cost more to produce the same amount of power than my system because I have less overcast days than you do. You will have to make the decision if the cost is worth your while. I expect my system to be totally paid for in around 8-9 years, working in the cost of inflation for electricity. After that, I will be paying nothing for electricty for as long as I stay in my house.
