[RE-wrenches] Myths, Schemes and Scams request

[Brian Mehalic]

Set-it-and-forget-it
Plug-n-play
No moving parts

Unfortunately these don't necessarily apply only to those trying to make a
fast buck!

Cheers!


Brian Mehalic
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional(tm) R031508-59
IREC Certified Instructor(tm) PV US-0132

PV Curriculum Developer and Instructor
Solar Energy International
http://www.solarenergy.org


On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 1:30 PM, Dan Fink <danbob88 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I absolutely recommend including the build-your-own solar panel schemes /
> scams that Dave mentioned -- there are a zillion of them, most have a "4"
> in the URL (power4patriots, etc)
>
> One thing I have noticed online with people selling PV modules (Amazon and
> Ebay) and alternators for homebuilt wind turbines (all over the 'net) is --
> multiplying open-circuit voltage by closed-circuit amperage to get
> overrated "watts" , and a video of the multimeter to "prove" it. Ouch. Good
> teachable moment on how to use a multimeter, though.
>
> You might also include the very popular (on Ebay) little grid-tie
> inverters that take DC solar input on one side and simply plug into a wall
> outlet on the other side.
>
> I also admit to, when in a whimsical mood, asking staff at Home Depot /
> Ace hardware etc., how to make up a male to male extension cord so my Honda
> generator can run my house in an emergency. One of these days I'll find a
> co-conspiritor with a tiny camera and make an educational video of it.
>
>
> Dan Fink,
> Executive Director;
> Otherpower
> Buckville Energy Consulting
> Buckville Publications LLC
> NABCEP / IREC accredited Continuing Education Providers
> 970.672.4342
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 6:53 PM, Dave Click <daveclick at fsec.ucf.edu>wrote:
>
>>  If you also have the local electricians selling the kvar units as
>> surefire ways to save 30% on your electric bill, I'd nominate that as
>> myth/scheme/scam, though I hope most of those resellers are doing so only
>> because they're naive. There was also some absurd company a few years ago
>> which was selling a "3000W" module that looked suspiciously like a 200W
>> module yet could produce a steady 3kW even without any load and even while
>> in the shade. They had the clamp-on meter to prove it, so maybe they're
>> still selling off area code exclusivity off for a mere $50,000 initial
>> deposit.
>>
>> Screen-shots from this would be fun-- one of the ubiquitous "$50 for this
>> complete guide to unplugging from grid by making your own solar panels"
>> http://www.powerfreedom.com/System/
>>
>> The YellowBook ad from a few years ago:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpHxEhO_DQ
>>
>> I don't know where I got this picture-- from one of the "make your own
>> solar panel" things online. Lovely aesthetics!
>> https://www.dropbox.com/s/bxhl3q6hrr9z5sp/DIY%20PV.png
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2014/4/12, 16:47, Allan Sindelar wrote:
>>
>> Fellow Wrenches,
>> Last year I prepared an hour's presentation for our local Solar Fiesta on
>> "Energy Myths, Schemes and Scams". I covered mostly PV and the solar
>> industry, with a few slides about the physics of wind and those cute spinny
>> yard-art things called VAWTs.  I also hit on "it takes more energy to make
>> a PV panel than it will ever produce", the limitations of 25-year module
>> warranties, "free energy generators", James McKirdy, lunar modules, and
>> modules with fraudulent listings. This was what I was able to pull together.
>>
>> The workshop was popular and I have been asked to give it again in a
>> couple of weeks. I'm looking for any suggestions that you may have for new
>> or additional material to update the presentation. Any ideas are welcome,
>> especially if you can provide links to good stories and slide materials.
>> This is for a general non-technical audience, but I have the freedom to go
>> in any direction I wish. So I'd like to be more than just entertaining, but
>> make points about value over price, using local installers with knowledge
>> and experience, etc.
>>
>> Beside my appreciation for the material, I'll offer in return to share an
>> editable version of the presentation for your own use (although it's a 14
>> meg PowerPoint file at present).
>>
>> Thank you in advance for your suggestions of anything that gets your
>> blood boiling, that would be funny if it wasn't giving PV and clean energy
>> a bad name.
>> Allan
>> --
>>
>> *Allan Sindelar*
>> *Allan at positiveenergysolar.com* <Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
>> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
>> Founder (Retired), *Positive Energy, Inc.*
>>
>> A Certified B CorporationTM
>> *505 780-2738 <505%20780-2738> cell*
>>
>>
>>
>>
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