Do It Yourself Solar Systems

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Permalink Reply by Ray Fidel Skidmore on September 10, 2008 at 10:48pm

Mr. Barrett,

I think this is a great idea, I hope you will be able to produce the video or if you know how I may be able to help spur this in the Central Texas area, I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you for your time and work, sir.

Ray Skidmore

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 13, 2008 at 2:42am

Hi Ray,
We would like to get enough responses to assure us that it will be worth our time to produce this free video. Every response is being counted on this site
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Bob Williams on September 12, 2008 at 9:38am

I would be interested, if it is affordable. Contact me: bob-the-bear@hotmail.com. I''m a registered member on the Pickens site, so you can find me that way, too. Bob Williams.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 13, 2008 at 2:42am

Hi Bob,
We would like to get enough responses to assure us that it will be worth our time to produce this free video. Every response is being counted on this site
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Evan Kraus on September 14, 2008 at 6:55am

I am interested in not a video guide but a written guide.
Basic construction materials etc.
I am an electrical contractor and would like to build one for my home.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 14, 2008 at 9:00am

Hi Bob,
We will let everyone know if we do the video.
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by C. Bruce Deramus on September 12, 2008 at 8:18pm

Mr. Barrett,

I think this is a great idea also. If I can help in any way in the North Texas area please let me know. I have plenty of time to volunteer. I appreciate your offer and your time.

C. Bruce Deramus
deramusb@yahoo.com

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 13, 2008 at 2:41am

Hi Bruce,
We would like to get enough responses to assure us that it will be worth our time to produce this free video. Every response is being counted on this site
Thanks,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Steve Morriss on September 18, 2008 at 7:37pm

Walt I have video equipment and live in Denton. Could you share where you live. I would be happy to help record a video and edit it as well.

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 18, 2008 at 10:21pm

Hi Steve,
We are in Rhode Island, and it's great for you to offer, but we have a full video production setup for our companies. So far we have seen very little interest in the video so the project is not exactly at the top of our hot list. However, we are going to be building all of the solar systems for our Micro home project which is under construction as you probably know. We will film the construction of each solar system as we get to it. This will include the hot water heater, solar water pump, and complete solar electric system. The unit is designed to be totally off the power grid.
We now have 120 volt light bulbs that only draw 3 watts which is a terrific asset to a solar powered lighting system, and greatly reduces the initial cost of solar modules. This project takes time as we have several businesses to run, but we are getting there.
We have to set our priorities and sadly right now solar powered micro homes have not caught on in the mass market yet, and neither have solar hot water heaters. but we are prepared for the moment they do. We are currently doing a lot of market research, and watching the situation closely.
Thanks for your offer anyway,
Walt

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Permalink Reply by Steve Morriss on September 19, 2008 at 4:51am

Walt, Sounds wonderful. I have purchased a large fresnel lens, solar furnace that I am preparing to connect to a flash boiler, 40 hp steam engine, and 10Kw generator.
I also assembled a solar collector made from garden hoses on the second floor deck above my pool pump. I saw it on a DIY site and thought I would try it out. Doesn't work worth a damn, but was fun to try.
While I'm waiting on delivery of the steam engine, I thought I would construct a solar oven water heater to heat my pool. I have tempered glass panels from an old door left here by the previous owner.
One question: What is the optimum flow rate of water through a collector? is there a rule of thumb?

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Permalink Reply by Walt Barrett on September 19, 2008 at 6:38am

Hi Steve,
Actually, the solar differential controller determines that. It measures the difference in temperature Delta T between the water in the storage tank and the water or antifreeze in the solar collectors, and it starts and stops the pump. We always used a Taco solar circulator to run our antifreeze type system here up north.
Walt

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