practical?

[aprilconnett]

I am trying to figure out the practicality of puttng solar on the trailer. Will it pay for itself in the five years we are here? Or should I put the $$ up for solar when we move ?

[Naughty_Pines]

Put solar on the trailer so you can transfer it when you move would be good start for when you move and can expand it in the new diggs.

[hardrock]

Depends on whether or not the MH system you go with
would be compatible with the new place.
You might decide you need bigger equipment altogether
when the time comes. (cost effective)
Or it might need to be configured completely differently.

In the 5 year interm, I'd wet my (solar) feet with some
passive solar projects you can easily add to a MH without breaking the bank, and get a first hand understanding of how effective low cost setups can actually be.


http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/1985-01-01/Tap-The-Sun.aspx

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/Space_Heating.htm

http://www.solarwindowheaters.com/shop/


The more popular and widely implemented it becomes, solar
should get cheaper. (should) If it were me, I'd wait it out.
At least the big ticket systems, anyway.
Solar is making such advancements right now, that today's "cutting edge" systems might be yesterday's news in 6 months.

I was seriously considering rooftop grids, then came the
new photovoltac film that's bonded to standing seam roofing. Go figure...... there's something new virtually every month or so.

JMHO

[aprilconnett]

Thanks for the advice.

[JakeLeg]

I just finished a small commercial project using a combination of systems, with solar being a small part.

The solar consultant we used (who also does wind energy), and who also retails and installs many manufacturers, said that on average, designed and installed solar is going for about 10 dollars per watt. You'd have to do your own cost/benefit analysis, because this price is for professionally designed and professionally installed equipment. The DIYer is always going to get a better price-per-watt, but I do not know what that'd be.