Pieter - Solar Solved

Its very difficult to appreciate that government are pushing for electric cars when they didnt bother helping the South African Joule come to market and have up until now stopped any imports of electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peukert%27s_law
 
 
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Find Attached Calc. Maybe Usefull
peukert.xls

1. Make sure your roof face North and also slope that way. Makes it easy to mount solar PV cells and Solar heating.
2. Floor insulation. I see the latest is to put polystyrene sheets, about 50mm thick, under the floor and then cast the concrete floor ontop of that. This should insulate your floors much better.
3. Although I would love underfloor heating, it is way too expencive. Doing it with liquid is another option, but who in SA does have the know how?
4. Windows and glass. I would love to go double glazing, but boy is that expencive. But it does work!!!
5. Grey water. See if all the drains from the shower, bath, wash basin and washing machine can go into an underground tank. This water can be used for irrigation.
6. Electrical. Make all the preperations and planning so that you can add Solar and generator power at a later stage.
7. Solar water heating. I would love to have at least a 2000L tank with hot water heated by solar. Yes, it will take long to heat up, but once heated you can use 200L without having a major effect on the overall temp in the tank!
8. Skylights - if your house is very dark, sky lights can save loads by not having to run lights 24/7.
9. Get an AGGA for a stove!!! That would sort out all your heating problems, but you sure as hell going to need a big ass AC for the summer time