[RE-wrenches] Myths, Schemes and Scams request

[bob@midnitesolar.com]

On 4/13/2014 10:30 AM, Dan Fink 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)
>


And don't forget to look for the  "investors"  link !

boB



> 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 
> <mailto: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_
>>     <mailto: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 Corporation^TM
>>     *505 780-2738 <tel:505%20780-2738> cell*
>>

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