SEIA solar conference 2007

[billvon 3,131]

Just got back from the first day of the SEIA Solar Conference 2007, and it was pretty cool. Spent all day at the Expo after waiting 2.5 hours in line (and we were preregistered!) The event was mobbed.

A lot of chinese manufacturers have arrived on the solar scene making cheap copies of modules from the big boys (BP, Sharp, Kyocera etc.) This is good news overall - it means panel prices will be coming down due to competition. Many companies are seeing 200% annual growth rates.

Saw some very cool architectural panels, including the elusive HIT panels (very high efficiency, translucent.) Lots of infrastructure improvements, including better (locking) MCX connectors, better racking systems for tile roofs and great monitoring systems.

About 25% of the exhibitors were installers. 50% were panel manufacturers, and the balance were exhibitors for vapor deposition machinery, balance-of-system components, energy efficiency etc.

Anyway, some pictures:

[billvon 3,131]

Some very cool architectural panels. I especially like the table. I've been tempted to do a patio cover with some of the translucent panels; would allow some light through but be an effective shade.

[billvon 3,131]

HIT panels - some very efficient translucent panels

[Squeak 17]

Very cool, so what did you buy
I can see this thread going hot

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[billvon 3,131]

Some final ones:

A new thin film panel

A set of adult tinkertoys for building mounting frames

An obnoxious booth

What happened to this guy? Did the airline lose his booth?

[Elisha 1]

Bill,
Was DC Power systems there? I might get a job in their finance department. I know the CEO.

[n23x 0]

Do the concentrators provide enough gains to make up for the (what seems like) drastically reduced available area for cells?

What percent conversion for the HT cells?

.jim

"Don't touch my fucking Easter eggs, I'll be back monday." ~JTFC

[squirrel 0]

I plan to build a solar house in about 3 years in the desert, east of LA, perfect for solar...I will have to start attending this conference. Where is it held?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[billvon 3,131]

> Do the concentrators provide enough gains to make up for the
>(what seems like) drastically reduced available area for cells?

Yes. The drawback is they need to track the sun, which means cost and complexity.

>What percent conversion for the HT cells?

Around 18-19%.

[billvon 3,131]

>Where is it held?

In Long Beach this year. San Diego next year. Not a great place to go if you just need a solar power system installed; this is more for industry OEM's and suppliers.

[squirrel 0]

i am a general contractor (used to be and electrical contractor) and will be building my house, so i hope actually to do the majority of the install myself.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[billvon 3,131]

>so i hope actually to do the majority of the install myself.

This conference was more geared towards people who are buying 40,000 panels (like we were trying to do!) There are a lot of good retailers around the LA area. In our area, Discover Power is a good one.

Just got on ebay and the guts of a 4200 watt system (panels, inverters, DC disconnects) run around $16,000. That's sufficient to power most homes with minor improvements in efficiency (CFL's etc)

[squirrel 0]

Quote

>so i hope actually to do the majority of the install myself.

This conference was more geared towards people who are buying 40,000 panels (like we were trying to do!) There are a lot of good retailers around the LA area. In our area, Discover Power is a good one.

Just got on ebay and the guts of a 4200 watt system (panels, inverters, DC disconnects) run around $16,000. That's sufficient to power most homes with minor improvements in efficiency (CFL's etc)

wow, that is alot of panels!

that seems like a good price...i have to get with you sometime as i get closer to building. my land is about 1600 ft from power. even though i can trench and back fill myself, edision will have to pull the line...and that alot of conductor to pay for...so i have been thinking that i may go full off the grid for now. not sure yet. someone told me the other day that edison is no longer buying power back if you spin your meter backwards, you can only zero out your bill...is this true? i am located in the high desert, Silverwood lake area, off hwy 138.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[TheAnvil 0]

Cool, Bill!

Good stuff.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[billvon 3,131]

>someone told me the other day that edison is no longer buying
>power back if you spin your meter backwards, you can only zero out your
>bill...is this true?

The easy way to do it (their standard net metering contract) lets you zero out your bill but they won't pay you. If Edison is like SDG+E you can become a cogenerator and get paid by them, but it's a lot of paperwork, and you have to get regular inspections, conform to power plant safety rules etc.

[Remster 30]

Quote

The easy way to do it (their standard net metering contract) lets you zero out your bill but they won't pay you.

Is that on a monthly basis, or can you run a negative balance for a while?

Remster

[billvon 3,131]

>Is that on a monthly basis . . .

Yearly. You can "bank" power in summer to get you through winter. I pay $5 a month to SDG+E (their minimum monthly service charge) - I look at that fee as "storage fee." That's cheaper than a battery bank would be!

[squirrel 0]

Quote

>Is that on a monthly basis . . .

Yearly. You can "bank" power in summer to get you through winter. I pay $5 a month to SDG+E (their minimum monthly service charge) - I look at that fee as "storage fee." That's cheaper than a battery bank would be!

can you "bank" power on the simple non cogenerator plan?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[billvon 3,131]

>can you "bank" power on the simple non cogenerator plan?

Yes. One bill a year.

[squirrel 0]

cool, that would be good enough for me.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[Elisha 1]

I answered my own question. DC Power was booth 223.