Solar Heating and Photovoltaic

Thanks, SteamMan. This is all based on information I have culled as I have been exploring solar for my own renovation. I think there are real possibilities for solar in Brooklyn, but it will probably take some kind of nonprofit organizational push to get it rolling. The Park Slope Civic Council or community boards or some such. When I have some more direct experience with solar, I would like to be involved in such an effort — any way to delink from fossil carbon is a good thing.

The rebate system is constantly shifting: NYC does NOT offer tax abatement for solar thermal; it does offer tax abatement for PV. Also, NYSERDA has just reduced its payout. The federal and state rebates are holding for the moment, but that can change on a dime. Suppliers will usually help with all the solar-related rebate paperwork.

Costing is difficult because each situation is unique. Before the cost of an individual project can even be guestimated, you would need to know how much electricity you use, what you calculate your heat and hot water needs to be. Are you planning on a new furnace or hw heater? That may affect your solar thermal needs. (National Grid is offering rebates on mod/con hot-water and hot-air gas furnaces and indirect hot water heaters, at least through 2010, at least in Long Island and NYC.)

What is your roof situation like: sloped or flat? square footage available for solar panels or thermal tubes? any overhanging trees? new taller buildings likely in the future? Also, what’s the roof structure like: can it carry the load of PV? solar thermal, which is heavier than PV? How recently was the roof repaired? (You don’t want to install a PV system, only to have the roof leak three years down the line.) Would it be possible to install some or all of the system as an “awning” over a deck?

Then, in addition to the DOB, there are fire regulations about placement of panels, need to leave large areas of the roof free and clear for the fire dept. to drag equipment around or knock holes for venting fire. New regulations definitely impinge on placement of solar panels and dunnage.

Then there’s the issue of brand. What kind of panels are being offered, with what kind of guarantee? There have been major problems with Chinese drywall (lead, asbestos); this suggests need for caution in use of Chinese PV panels.

What about financing? If you have the cash up front, your payback will be much quicker. If you have to borrow the money, you have to add in the additional interest cost — and resultant longer payback.

You’ll want to get more than one bid, as with any major job. How experienced are the suppliers/installers? What guarantees do they offer? What other jobs have they done?

These are some of the things to think about if you’re seriously considering solar — and doing a whole-house reno is the best time to think about it, because necessary piping and wiring can be more easily brought down from the roof to the basement when walls are open.

In a rational society, solar would not be left up to the individual owner, but would be part of the grid, with solar energy as part of the utility structure. A group called 1BOG was working out in San Francisco and promising to expand. The idea, as I understand it, is that they install PV panels on your roof, you then buy solar energy from them for X years, on a monthly basis. It would be just like getting your Con Ed bill now — only after so many years, you would own the panels, and the electricity they generated, free and clear.

Solar One will come to different neighborhoods to give presentations. Maybe it’s time to get them to come to Brownstone Brooklyn. …

There are at least two others of us who are exploring the same issues. I’m looking at two bids now and RS is looking at least one. You can contact me at housereno@earthlink.net. And I agree — if there are others out there, maybe we need to get together on this and pool our knowledge and bargaining power.