Periodically, I receive questions on my “Ask Green Talk” section or via my Contact Form. I respond to them privately via email. The other day I had an epiphany and said, “I should be putting these questions right on the front page for my readers to answer as well.” I have a bunch of great readers who provide me with wonderful insight Plus, even the Great Oz gets stumped too! (Yeah, hard to believe…)
So, here goes my first question that actually stumped the Great Oz. (I told you it happens.)
Angela writes:
“I saw a commercial for solar panels and wind turbines on TV. Are they legit? Has anyone tried out their products? http://www.power-save1200.com/solar.html”
I watched that same commercial on PowerSave’s website. The message I took away from the commercial is I could eliminate or reduce my electric bill for free. Even their brochure temps you with a slogan that reads, “What if you could reduce your electric bill at no out of pocket cost.” Who wouldn’t want to check out their website? Ah, the power of marketing where fact and fiction sometimes blur.
Here is the fine print. Depending on the size of the system that you want and your state, you may not be one of the lucky recipients of a free system. Check out their state incentive chart. Note, the prices listed for the various packages are uninstalled prices.
I could not find any link to local installers on the site and the info commercial led me to believe that PowerSave or its network installers installed the systems. If so, why list the uninstalled price? However, if you are a DIYer, they do provide installation instructions.
What is the percentage of savings should you expect? The Company provides a state chart, which illustrates the percentage of saving associated with either a 1 kW, 2KW, or 3 KW. This chart is based upon the assumptions of 10,656 kW per yr. average annual household DOE 1999, and peak sun hours.
One I want to highlight is their POWER-SAVE SOLAR 1000 SYSTEM which is comprised of the following components:
6 – 170 Watt PV Panels, 1020 Peak Watts (UL Listed and CEC Listed)
1 – Flush Mount Roof Racking System
1 – 1100 PV Powered High Efficiency Inverter (UL Listed and CEC Listed)
Only $5,999.00 (uninstalled)
I have read in the past that you pay about $7-$9 per watt for good quality panels. Please correct me if I have made a misstatement. If you do the math based upon those numbers, the cost of the systems seems cheap; however, the Company may be buying mass quantities to reduce the price of the panels.
Here are some other questions that I have:
- What is the typical cost of installation so that you can figure out the overall cost of the system? Adding in that factor, is their price reasonable?
- How long have they been in business? Do they have a proven track record of being reliable in the case their products do not work?
- Is their warranty comparable to other systems out there?
- What is their track record?
- Is there any third party verification as to the amount of energy their system produces? Without that verification, I would be hesitant to buy any system from them.
- As I mentioned above, who installs the system?
In addition to solar systems, they also sell a 500W wind system, however, state incentives for wind are not as good as for the solar systems. In addition, this unit sits on top of the house. This idea raises a few flags for me. First, would you have to obtain a variance if the wind structure adds to the height of the house? Many cities have height restrictions associated with residential dwellings.
Secondly, I was told by a wind expert when researching another wind system that installing a wind structure on your house was not a good idea. He stated that the vibrations from the wind turbine would emanate into the house?
Thirdly, according to the Company, their wind turbine produces 2.5 times more energy than a conventional system. Again without third party verification, how do you know if this statement is accurate? Here is their comparison chart.
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Power-Save Wind Turbine vs. Conventional Wind Generators
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So, readers, take a look at all the facts and figures on the site, and let me know your thoughts. I will admit that I have not called them because I wanted to get Angela’s question to you. In addition, has anyone purchased from this company? If you have, how long have you had the system and where do you live.
Photos via PowerSave.
Angela says
It is a real fact that the power is saved many times by using the solar and wind systems.As they are natural it can also be renewable.
Angelas last blog post..How to Lower Home Equity Interest
davea0511 says
They have a 25 yr warranty – so I’m guessing silicon PV – probably a big name. Your 8$-$9/watt is nominal for installed. Usually the cost is %50 panels, %25 hardware (including inverters / grid tie in), %25 labor. So, with professional installation these systems would come out to about $8-$9/watt also. I’m skiddish on the inverter and hardware – who knows what they use. Doesn’t include grid-tie-in hardware though. If you want to throw in a bank of batteries that will be extra too.
As for the wind turbine, seems about right to me. Small systems should be designed very differently and it looks like they figured this out in Europe – might as well bring it here. I can’t imagine this design working on a large system – too much mass.
Green Talk says
Dave, do you think this is a good price for the solar? How do you think they are getting such a good price? The only thing that worried me about this wind turbine is how much is it going to output and the vibrations in the house. What is your background? Anna
OrganicGuy says
It is good to see so many more people making the switch to organic and green lifestyles. Iam just looking into solar and wind myself,so good to seeso many facts to be considered. Great post!
OrganicGuys last blog post..Towel Time
Anna says
I don’t have experience that that particular company. But what they say about Net Metering and tax rebates is true … one can save a lot in the long term, after initial investment. They do use PayPal which is probably the safest way to pay for things online and has added security, as you can always open a dispute if something goes wrong.
David says
I have just started to research solar and wind and come across your site. Some great information here, but has anyone actually used or purchased anything from the company?
Green Talk says
David, a Green Talk reader asked the same question as you. I was hoping someone would post that they have one of these systems.
Let me know during your wind and solar research which ones you like the best. Anna
Alternative Energy says
Where are the PV panels manufactured?
We have tested some from China that are not outputting as specified even under perfect conditions.
DCM says
There are several companies out there trying to copy the business model Citizenre came out with 2 years ago. With 34,000 customers signed up already and they haven’t come out with a public announcement yet. They provide all of the equipment, maintain it and lease it to you to self generate green energy, and you pay the same or less than what you pay the utility now.
more info at solarevolutionusa.com
DM
Max L says
I just saw this ad too and would like to check them out. Went to the website and see they are out of San Luis Obispo CA I would say check them out with the local BBB and see if they have had any complaints.
Does anyone know of a “consumer reports” type of organization that rates solar or wind systems? I am new to this but our family goal is to be off the grid by 2012 so any information for where to find out more about a solar or wind system would be very appreciated.
We are in Northern New Mexico so both wind and solar are good options.
Thanks ML
Green Talk says
Max, if you want to be on the safe side I would look into solar installers in your area. Perhaps a local forum or a green builder or architect firm might be able to give your some reccomendations as who to use. Same goes for wind. I can’t find out if PowerSave is real or not.
Readers, any advice for Max in his area? Anna
Billy Schwarz says
Dear Sir:
Yes they do work, sometimes to good, in order for you to power your home or business with wind you must not only have a system designed to meet your needs at the lowest wind speed in your area, but enough storage at high wind. The myth that you can get rich by selling power to the grid is just that. The grid makes a good backup source of power, but a very poor storage bank. We are installing a 6kw system stand-alone as demo home in South Texas. The house is 80% complete, the system is operational at 4kw. When complete it will power a 1600 sqft home with centeral air and heat, lights and appliances on a 24 hour 7 day basis.
craig in CT says
if you are really serious about investigating solar programs, then find out what you state government is doing to help homeowners come on board with it. In CT there is the CT Solar Lease program which has an array of state certified installers. Be careful to shop around with even those, because they do not all offer the same initial terms for the assessments or the work. One state certified installation company, Trinity Solar, initially wanted us to cough up $500 before they would do more than provide a cursory assessment and job projection. Whereas, another state certified installation company, Sunlight Solar, came to the house, welcomed other interested parties being here, did a detailed assessment, provided a detailed proposal and job sketch, and was willing to provide all that with no out of pocket expense to me as a homeowner. I am willing to discuss this further, if you email me with comments or questions. I chose Sunlight Solar because of the forthright and diligent manner of doing business. The Trinity company did make a counter offer, but the panels that they proposed were still about 30% less efficient as the ones proposed by the other company, the less efficient panels would not be appropriate to use in the limited space available on my roof and for my electrical power needs. As the old saying goes, “buyer beware”… do your homework!
Seth says
Take a look at the disclaimers and warranties. BIG RED FLAGS. It has grammatical errors all over it and also it tells you flat out that if you install it yourself the warranty is void. There are other things that make me worry too, especially that if your panels get damaged during shipping, you’re out of luck.
Green Talk says
Seth, good investigating work! I could use you on my staff! Anna
eric says
For the Lowest Priced Power Save Products on the internet, please visit http://www.PowerSave3400.com
UPVC Windows says
In Australia there is a government initivitive that includes auditing your household needs. This is a free service and includes recommended suppliers. Perhaps this may be a first option for you. Also many small communities are looking at wind power as an alternative source of energy. This would mean your own needs in the home would be modified. Please seek advice from your local council or state government.