On 2/22/2012 8:25 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
Hugh wrote in :

Does this concept actually work? **** if I know but I'd rather have a
freestanding 'solar tree' in my yard than a bunch of solar panels
bolted to my roof.

No.

The amount of energy that can be collected by an array of solar collectors depends on the size of
the array. Ten thousand 5cm-square solar "leaves" won't harvest any more energy than five panels
1x5 meters.

The "tree" arrangement is almost guaranteed to harvest considerably *less* energy than an array
of flat panels bolted to your roof, because the amount of energy harvested also depends on the
angle of the panel(s). An array bolted to the roof can (and should) be adjusted to the proper
elevation to maximize the energy gain, whereas the angles of the "leaves" cannot be.


Is an asphalt shingled roof much more difficult/expensive to replace
when it has solar panels bolted on it?