Episode-2300- Shawn Mills on Solar Power
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Shawn became intrigued with self-sufficiency around the 2008 financial crisis. Working in and around the power generation market for 18 years led him to increase his knowledge of renewable energy generation.
In 2012 he purchased an off grid home and he designed and installed his own off grid solar photovoltaic system. Shawn, his wife, and two daughters have lived off grid since 2012 in Middle Tennessee where they utilize solar pv, solar thermal, rainwater catchment, and other appropriate technologies to live a more self-sufficient and positive cash flow lifestyle.
In 2017 he started a consulting business, Hack my Solar, to help others identify and implement ways to increase their personal energy independence. He joins us today to discuss when solar power makes sense and equally when it doesn’t.
Resources for today’s show…
- Join the Members Brigade
- Join Our Forum
- Walking To Freedom
- TspAz.com
- The Granddaddy’s Gun Club
- Bullhead Fishing Forum – A new little site I started
- Binance.com
- Biltong for Breakfast
- On this Day in 1945 – First American Solider Dies in Vietnam
- HackMySolar.com – Shawn’s Website
- Ridin the Storm Out Original Version – REO Speed Wagon
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Great show! I’ve been looking into installing my own system, so this is very informative.
My big question is where can you find solar panels for that cheap?
Just looking around a bit, the best i can find is just under $1/watt. During the summer, I pay $0.167/kwh so any way to reduce my summer electric bill would be a huge benefit.
Thanks!
When Shawn says “nameplate”, it makes me tingly inside. 🙂
Awesome show. Shawn, if you’re ever headed through central Mississippi hit me up. Let’s have a beer.
Jack, I think you need a “drainback” system it sounds like. At night all the water drains down from the collector into a small tank usually. When the thermistor up top senses enough Delta T between it and the tank it kicks the pump on and starts heating water. Really the most fullproof way to avoid freezing for solar thermal.
These guys make a great product out of J’ville FL. AET Solar.
http://www.aetsolar.com/water-heating-systems.php