joe0829

Anyone have any experience in using solar panels mounted on a roof to run flourescent lighting or a fan. Catalog says panel charges a 12 volt battery then you use a solar charge controller to prevent over charging. Then a power inverter converts dc to ac, then you connect sump pumps, lighting, t/v, etc. Any thoughts on this alternative???

ltsystems

it may take a long time for this type of investment to pay for its self. if it is sunny most of the time ware you live or if the uitility co. you have offers rebates it could be worth it.

bluebloodletter

There was another thread about this and if I remember right, the general consesus was that you would need a full-scale setup and like -lt- said, it wasn't very cost effective because of the number of cells required.
What you could look into are sunpipes, lets see here, oh yes--->Helpful Diagram
If you're handy, you could make one of these pretty economically I reckon. Then you'd only need lights half the time.