solar in midwest

1 Posts

Feb 25, 2007 08:20 pm

is solar a worth wile investment for northern south east michigan? im moveing to around imlay city and was thinking of going on grid solar. is there much winter up keep? any snow ice related problems? any sugustions for a system?
thanks, roger. crazyroger1 @ hotmail.com

James Cormican

578 Posts

Feb 28, 2007 12:01 pm

Re: solar in midwest

roger,

unfortunately you live in one of the worst areas for solar insolation in the country. If you want to set up a grid tie system, you most certainly can (as long your utility is okay). You wont see the production like New Mexico, but that is okay. Sun hours in your area appear to be about 1.5 on average and better in the summer.

As far as practical concerns, putting modules on the roof may lead to snow and ice issues, and you dont want to be cleaning modules off in winter. If a ground or pole mount is possible, that may be better because of the elements. that way you can reach them to clean them off in the winter.

- james Alt-E staff (back in the usa)

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107 or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718 or +1.978.562.5854

Jim Sluyter

26 Posts

Mar 22, 2007 02:41 pm

Re: solar in midwest

A lot of us up here in NW lower michigan are making a go of it on solar (usually with some wind too). Most are off the grid, but not all. It is at least as cloudy here. But it is true that there are few places with *less* solar.

The Uni-solar panels tend to shed snow more effectively than others, if they are standing nearly straight up (good for winter setting anyway). But ours still need to be within reach of a squeegey to clean them off from time to time.

The utilities in MI tend to be behind on everything...contact Urban Options in Lnasing (a google should get you there) for some advice, and also glrea.org.

Michigan Energy Fair (second annual) in Manistee County June 22-24 (I think) would be a good resource.
Jim

Ian Williams

18 Posts

Mar 24, 2007 12:25 am

Re: solar in midwest

My opinion, go for it. going through my first winter w/ solar, even at low watt's, its amazing how much the a-Si panels will kick out. One thing to keep in mind though is that the snow will reflect more sunlight than just standard, there by increasing the actually temp. of the panel and the quantity of light to convert. That will give you a higher output, so keep that in mind when choosing the components of your grid tie system.

One more thing, id strongly recommend using a back-up battery bank and inverter, you know, just in case(or even as a primary source).

FYI, im a little over an hour south of Imlay City, just to give you a location reference. Have fun!

Disclaimer and Disclosure

The Alternative Energy Store, Inc reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse or delete any posting or portion thereof, or terminate or block the access to this forum.

The opinions and statements posted on this forum are the opinions and statements of the person posting same, and do not constitute the opinion or act of the Alternative Energy Store, Inc (AltE). The Alternative Energy Store, Inc does not endorse or subscribe to any particular posting. No posting shall be construed as the act or opinion of the Alternative Energy Store, Inc.

solar in midwest

altE®

MORE INFORMATION

Share

Feedback