Now, this is all well and good but using solar energy is not a small undertaking and needs to be thoroughly evaluated to ensure the best results. I am not a solar energy expert, but I know arithmetic and worked out the math below.<\/p>\n
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- The average Californian household uses 575 kWh (kilowatt hours) per month. At current rate, this works up to roughly $75.\u00a0Read more…<\/a>\u00a0If we multiply this by 92 units, we collectively consume about 53,000 kWh per month.<\/li>\n
- The average solar panel<\/a>\u00a0is about 20 square feet and produces 0.20 kWh<\/a>\u00a0of electricity. With current technology<\/a>, 25 panels will cover the needs of one household in an area where we (conservatively) get at least 5 hours of sun per day.<\/li>\n
- The total area covered by our carports is about 30,000 square feet. If installing solar panels, we will be able to use 70% of the surface or roughly 20,000 square feet.<\/li>\n
- 20,000 square feet will accommodate about 1,100 solar panels, therefore producing power for 44 units. That’s about 1\/2 of our electrical bill FOR FREE!<\/strong> And we could also use our roof, which is at least twice the size of the carports to install more solar panels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As I wrote earlier, I’m no expert and there are many options that can be considered for installation (purchase, lease, etc…).<\/p>\n
One of the simplest\u00a0options seems to be feeding our solar electrical output into the regular power grid (which will make our electric meters go backwards) then So Cal Edison will bill us for only what we use or even “buy back” the excess and pay us every month.<\/p>\n
In short, we can save money and even maybe make money that could be applied to reducing our HOA dues. I think it’s time we start taking our condo complex into the 21st century!<\/p>\n
Quick update: See what Walmart has done in the parking lot of their Huntington Beach store. Yep, the new carports have been built for the sole purpose of supporting 100s of solar panels! We ALREADY have the carports, what are we waiting for? \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
- The average solar panel<\/a>\u00a0is about 20 square feet and produces 0.20 kWh<\/a>\u00a0of electricity. With current technology<\/a>, 25 panels will cover the needs of one household in an area where we (conservatively) get at least 5 hours of sun per day.<\/li>\n
![\"IMG_20150530_124558\"](\"https:\/\/huntingtonmarina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/IMG_20150530_124558-300x169.jpg\")
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