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1. Retric+(OP)[view] [source] 2023-09-13 22:14:42
Rooftop PV isn’t the best plan if you’re north of NYC. The grid can far more efficiently move power from Southern areas that don’t need significant heating in the winter up north. The transmission losses are vastly lower than the gains you get from longer days. And as a bonus you rarely need summer cooling while people south of you do.

However, if you’re in Main and don’t have a ground source heat pump then solar thermal works great. PV is panels are still only 22% efficient and you air source heat pumps don’t work well in ultra cold weather, worse you need batteries for the long nights. But with solar thermal you’re looking at ~90% efficiency for heat collection and ultra cheap energy storage in hot water tanks. You do get less power per m2 of collection area, but that’s offset by needing heat for a longer period.

Off grid solar can work in the surprisingly far north, just expect a significant premium.

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