Browse Forums General Discussion Re: solar powered house?????? 21Apr 11, 2007 1:31 am The Suncube definately looks interesting.
To bring a little balance though it is also possible to use mirrors and traking units to increase the power output of traditional flat pannels, although intensifying the radiation directed at the panels would most likely reduce their life expectancy. I couldn't see any info on life expectancy of the Suncube? I currently have six 110W flat panels with a 3in1 3000W inverter and 260h 24V battery bank and cost me approx $7k. It's been installed for around two years now. When your talking high end batteries they last alot longer than car batteries as someone suggested Good quality batteries for use with solar will most likely last 8 - 10 years while the panels about 15 years. I am looking to double the size of my system in the next year so will give the Suncube a serrious look Re: solar powered house?????? 22Apr 14, 2007 4:02 pm Glenn67 The Suncube definately looks interesting. To bring a little balance though it is also possible to use mirrors and traking units to increase the power output of traditional flat pannels, although intensifying the radiation directed at the panels would most likely reduce their life expectancy. I couldn't see any info on life expectancy of the Suncube? I currently have six 110W flat panels with a 3in1 3000W inverter and 260h 24V battery bank and cost me approx $7k. It's been installed for around two years now. When your talking high end batteries they last alot longer than car batteries as someone suggested Good quality batteries for use with solar will most likely last 8 - 10 years while the panels about 15 years. I am looking to double the size of my system in the next year so will give the Suncube a serrious look Glenn This text is from the suncube site. SunCubeSite Incorporating a high efficiency (>30%) solar energy concentrator, automatic dawn to dusk Max kWh Tracking™ internal 2 axis tracking system and Cool PV™ low operational PV cell temperature. Extensive testing will be done to ensure 25+ years of life, high reliability, ease of installation / servicing. I have been a member of their Yahoo group for over a year now and from my understanding there are 9 super high quality PV cells in each suncube. The sort used on the space shuttle, that type of thing.. The 9 segmented lens focuses the light down to each. The thing with the SunCube that makes it stand out from the 'fatties' is that the SunCube is a solar appliance.. Unlike the flatties where if one of the cells dies, you pretty much have to chuck the entire panel away, if something breaks on the SunCube, it can be replaced. Futhermore, Greg from SunCube has said that as more efficient cells become available, you can swap out the ones in the unit now. Talk about future proof! The first production run should be out in the next couple months. When I know more I'll post a message in this forum. Re: solar powered house?????? 23May 11, 2007 1:09 pm Greg Watson, the guy behind the SunCube has decieded (without any consultation I might add) to not sell any units for home mounting, you can now only buy units in a solar farm. (Even this option was cancelled briefly this morning after he had a temper tantrum)
In response, I have setup a new Yahoo group called SunGrid which is dedicated to a new hardware open source project I am trying to get off the ground that will try to develop plans and possibly supply parts from members for a similar system. The idea is a group think where we combine our knowledge to build a system that does much the same but that is freely available to anyone who wants to build one. Regards 3xb Here are the details on the SunGrid Project: Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SunGrid Group email address: SunGrid@yahoogroups.com Re: solar powered house?????? 24May 12, 2007 9:27 pm 3timesbuilda Greg Watson, the guy behind the SunCube has decieded (without any consultation I might add) to not sell any units for home mounting, you can now only buy units in a solar farm. (Even this option was cancelled briefly this morning after he had a temper tantrum) In response, I have setup a new Yahoo group called SunGrid which is dedicated to a new hardware open source project I am trying to get off the ground that will try to develop plans and possibly supply parts from members for a similar system. The idea is a group think where we combine our knowledge to build a system that does much the same but that is freely available to anyone who wants to build one. Regards 3xb Here are the details on the SunGrid Project: Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SunGrid Group email address: SunGrid@yahoogroups.com 3timesbuilda Yep.. Can you believe it? After all these months. All the ******. The false hope.. I was a member of his Yahoo group (brad) and as you can see by this thread, I sang the praises of his Suncube where possible. I even convinced my wife that they are not ugly. I'll be a member of your SunGrid group.. It's 2007 for goodness sake.. It can't be that hard to make a CPV! Most of the parts could be bought at **** Smith and Jaycar couldn't they? Anyway, sorry to all here to whom I preached the wonders of a 'vaporware' product. ie: The SunCube Re: solar powered house?????? 25May 14, 2007 3:20 pm Hi Dobly,
I am not sorry that you pointed me in the direction of SunCube because it has led me onto other things. Since I started it on Friday, the SunGrid group has really taken off and I am now very confident that we will have a real result. I think the concept is sound and we can make something useful to everyone without the restrictions the SunCube put on us. You may notice on SunGrid that I mentioned using multiple small units tied together and I think this should help reduce the problem with the SunCubes hideous appearance. Anyone here want to join, please do, even if you are not able to help technically, the moral support is always welcome. Regards 3xb Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SunGrid Group email address: SunGrid@yahoogroups.com Re: solar powered house?????? 26May 14, 2007 7:15 pm Hey Triple x B,
Love the Sun/Cube/Grid idea, but I wonder why it has not been picked up by the solar car race guys etc? Perhaps they are too focused on other designs.? As for it being ugly? And an evaprative airconditioner stuffed on the top of a roof is pretty? You get my point. But I'm assuming as a tech head with passion for the environment adn if you have an open mind, then how about some free energy. Check out the Steorn free energy device and heaps of others at this link on the NEC top 100 engery awards for Feb 2007. http://www.pureenergysystems.com/NEC/re ... 070203.htm I can't wait to hear more about the steorn trials in July. Some think it's a hoax, some do not, who knows, but maybe they have made a major breakthrouhh!!! And the SunCube got 18th in these awards. Enjoy - I'm sure you spend hours here and the many links - I did. Steve Re: solar powered house?????? 27May 15, 2007 11:19 am Hi Yak_Chat,
Yeah I have been keeping an eye on Steorn for a while now and would dearly love to believe that it is for real but have decieded to approach with scepticism until I see some real world data. I actually joined the Steorn forum a few hours ago so that I can post a notice about the SunGrid project there but I have to wait a while before I am able to post anything there. Not sure if it will help as most have gone into the developers forum but worth a try. Also considering sending something to Slashdot but am worried about a potential flood. I might put it to the members of the group and see what they think. If you join the SunGrid group, there is actually a guy who has developed a tracking system to go on a moving car. I also discuss making smaller moving cells/units that may not look quite as ugly. There has been loads of ideas and I am now 100% convinced that this project is feasable and will be done. Regards Chris Re: solar powered house?????? 28May 29, 2007 2:03 pm 3xb.
Will check out the sungrid sometime but going solar has not been a major interest of mine for SA. But I must sya the increased rebate helps since the budget release. But as we only get about 7.5 hours of peak sunshine in Summer and 2.5 peak in winter in SA, I'm checking out wind power. Goto the link and check out your locations averages etc. Some pretty good data is available here to help decide what is better. They even show MJ per day for sun. Tick the full list button (and GO button) - gives some good data indeed. And you can see here info on how much solar is being installed in each state of OZ: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/ http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/pv/pubs/installedbystate-march07.xls Steve Re: solar powered house?????? 29Jun 06, 2007 1:00 pm I have been seriously considering Solarpower for my house (currently under construction) I have noted that the Government has increased the rebate to $8000.
Its a pity that Sun Cube thing wont be sold for residential use (why is that?) The only problem that I could see (and I was going to talk to the developers) is that I cant have anything protruding over the roof line (due to building regulations - I am building at Sandhurst in Vic) What other options do I have? I have spoken to a company Energy Matters and searcehd the web for panels and parts - however I would rather someone set the system up for me (as I am not an electrian) Re: solar powered house?????? 30Jun 06, 2007 1:20 pm Origin energy have a home owners package that they are promoting OZ wide.
Includes, panels, invertor, and installation. There will also be some local solar shops that have some options for you. General cost is going be around $4 to 8K after the rebates have been applied. Steve Re: solar powered house?????? 31Jun 06, 2007 1:38 pm Don't all solar cells suffer gradual loss of efficiency as photons literally knock out the particles in the cell ? I've read (but have been unable to refind the article) that over a period of just a few years, solar panels can reduce in output by up to 50% ? Re: solar powered house?????? 32Jun 06, 2007 2:04 pm The reason why I started the SunGrid project was because I really want to use solar but the economics (for flat panels) just don't work out.
For instance, take a look here: http://www.renewablestore.com.au/solar- ... prices.php Look at the first system in the list, it will produce around 1,829KWh per year. If you pay 15cents per KWh (most will probably pay less), you will save around $274.35 per year off you electricity bill. Now that system AFTER the government rebate is quoted as $4500 to $6500 Put $4500 (the lower and less likely amount) in a bank account at Bankwest (6.8%) and your return is: $306 per year. At $6500, your return is$442pa. If you live in an area where the sun is not as intense/reliable, expect less than the 1829KWh. The target of SunGrid/OpenCPV is to try achieve $3 per watt or around $3 per ~6KWh/pa. That would mean the above system would cost $914.50 without any government rebate. $914.5 at 6.8% would return $62.19pa far lower than compared to the $274.35 for the electricity cost from a coal company. Scale the system up a bit and your annual savings can move into the thousands of dollars. Finally, Cabinfever, most conventional solar panels run really hot (60C+), something for which they are not particuarly designed. Concentrated photovoltaic cells use special cooling and are designed to run at higher temps. This together with tracking makes them an excellent choice. One way or another, concentrated photovoltaics are comming to ordinary users and they will change the world. I just want to get it a few years earlier. Re: solar powered house?????? 33Aug 29, 2007 10:58 pm 3timesbuilda,
I was wondering how thge SunGrid project that you started is going. Sounds like a great idea, but I haven't heard much about it. I, and I'm sure there are many others, would be interested to know how things are progressing. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: solar powered house?????? 34Nov 29, 2013 11:50 am Well...it took a long time but SunCube is TOTALLY BUSTED! Just a gigantic SCAM. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJlMwEoO6c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcoscS0kA94 You’ve seen the movie....now read the book! http://www.amazon.com/Great-SunCube-Swi ... B00GPAGPR6 I looked into it a few years ago and my conclusion was to just build a carport that will support panels and get a system installed separately. The company I looked at had… 1 6483 You’re on the right track, wire brush in a grinder then a zinc rich epoxy primer then a top coat of some sort, like a waterproofing membrane. Raising the concrete would… 1 7034 How good is Simeon?! Always taking time to help others out! Wish we were building in NSW and could work together. Thanks for all that you do! 7 6577 |