re: Getting solar panels today!!

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I need enough solar panels to run a small window unit in a dog house. I am tired of letting them in during July, August, and September when it's 100+ out but I also don't want to pay the bill to run a unit 24/7.

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You're in SLA? How many BTU's is the window unit? Does it say the SEER or EER on it? I could probably tell you what you need.

I haven't bought the unit yet or built the house. I am weighing my options but probably a 12000 BTU unit. I am going to use foam to insulate the house but they will have an opening that they can get in and out of so I will need to oversize the unit to compensate. I will hang some plastic flaps like they do in warehouses to help keep some of the air in and keep flies out. It will also run 24/7 during the peak months.

ETA: I will also add a box fan or two to help circulate the air.

ETA2: While you're at it please tell me what I would need to add to my shop to run this if I built an office in it.

LINK

It's a metal insulated shop and the office will also be insulated. That is also oversized a bit bigger than the office would be.

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Damn, how big is this house going to be? Your dogs have the life

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That's the largest I would go to help compensate for the door opening I will have to leave. Probably a 10x12 area for four dogs. 8,000 BTU might even do it. I just don't want to go too small because that would be pointless. I always overdo.

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While you're at it please tell me what I would need to add to my shop to run this if I built an office in it.

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There you go, a Mitsubishi split A/C is awesome. A 24,000 BTU unit covers about 600-800 Sq Ft. You could do a 12,000 BTU unit most likely unless you're going that big? Actually, a 9,000 would be enough as it covers about 200-300 Sq Ft.

Anyway, a 9,000 BTU Mitsubishi with a 21 SEER would cost you about $30/month to run it 24 hours a day based on 10 cent per kWh. That's $95 here in Oahu

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Ok explain how it's good to drill holes into your roof. I am listening?

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You don't have vents in your roof? There aren't thousands of tiny holes in metal roofs?

Hell, I have seen roofs leak through the ridge vents. Did you know squirrels chew on led jacks? Can't tell you how many leaks I have seen because of that.

If done properly, you shouldn't have any issues with panels installed on your roof.

The biggest issue I could see is having to take it all down if you ever have to reshingle so I wouldn't install them unless my roof was fairly new.

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Anyway, a 9,000 BTU Mitsubishi with a 21 SEER would cost you about $30/month to run it 24 hours a day based on 10 cent per kWh. That's $95 here in Oahu

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What sort of solar power will I need for it? Looking at about 350 sq ft total but again it's in a hot metal shop so I am going a little bigger to compensate.

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Looking at about 350 sq ft total but again it's in a hot metal shop so I am going a little bigger to compensate.

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Go for the 12,000 BTU then and maybe do 5 PV panels at 270 watts. If you use those 140 watts you linked, you'll need 10 and that's not taking into consideration the lower efficiency.

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Dang, not nearly as much as I figured.

It would pay for itself fairly quick.

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Solar is worth it. Keep in mind, that's with net metering. If you go battery, I think it would be close but battery storage is still a little expensive as of now and more maintenance. Although, there are lots of breakthroughs happening.

There's someone on here I know that has a smaller system that will include everything and the cost is great after tax credit (about $1,200). Would work perfect for what you want to do.

I think they're still doing some testing on it, but it will be ready soon.

Good luck with the roof leaks."

Every installer doesn't do it right. Okay-gotcha.