The 11kW Solar Powered House

 

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009 is winding down after another successful year.
  
The Solar Decathlon is a competition in which college teams compete to design, and build the most aesthetically pleasing, effective and energy-efficient solar powered house.
  
Each house in the 2009 Solar Decathlon was connected to a power grid and equipped with a bi-directional meter that measured both its consumption and production of energy. 
  
This year's show-stealer was an entry from Germany's Technische Universitat Darmstadt. Called the "Cube House", their design produced a surplus of power even during three days of rain. 
  
While most home solar power systems are around 1 - 2 kW, the surface of Cube House is covered with an 11 kW solar panel system comprised of 40 monocrystalline silicon panels on the roof and about 250 thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) panels on the sides. Combined and in favourable condtions, the array can produce an incredible 200% of the energy needed by the house.
  
Other technologies included in the Cube House are custom-made vacuum insulation structural panels, phase-change material in both walls (paraffin) and ceiling (salt hydrate), automated louver-covered windows and a boiler integrated into the heat pump system allowing for the provision of domestic hot water as well as heating and cooling.
  
The cost to build the house? An estimated AUD $710,000 - $928,000 . The organisers of the Solar Decathlon point out the houses in the competition are unique designs that incorporate cutting edge technologies; but if mass-produced, their overall costs would likely decrease significantly.
 

Preventing Solar Panel Theft

 

Solar panels are big business and as with any valuable piece of equipment, they are attracting attention from the darker elements of society. Solar panel theft is on the rise; particularly in the USA.
 
California winery, ZD Wines, has lost around AUD $82,000 worth of solar panels in the past 10 months according to First Coast News after having been hit by thieves 16 times so far. The company is now covering every bolt with glue and affixing tamper proof labeling on each panel.
 
Many of the stolen solar panels are believed to wind up on online auction and classifieds sites, so people looking for a great deal on solar panels should be vigilant in order not to wind up with more than they bargained for - defending a charge of receipt of stolen goods.
 
For panel owners, Australian solar power solutions provider, Energy Matters, offers some tips on how to prevent solar panels, including:
 
- Use one way screws when installing panels.
 
- Link the solar panes with heavy gauge nylon coated cable and if possible, lock the cable below the roofline to the roof trusses.
 
- Using an engraving tool, inscribe identifying details into the frame.
 
The company also advises that home owners confirm with their insurance companies that solar panel installations are covered under their home and contents insurance policy.
 
Recognising that solar panel theft will become a growing concern in Australia, Energy Matters has developed a solar panel locking system. The Solar Array Anti-Theft Security Rail secures panels to each other, making removal of individual panels extremely difficult.
 
Do you have tips for securing solar panels? Share your ideas in the Energy Matters Forums.

News for Friday 16 October, 2009

 

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