Solar energy in Colombia?

GregYohn says on Aug 18, 2008, 08:53:

Hola!

I have solar hot water showers in Cali. They have a company there that works around the country, but San Andres might be far. Contact a Nicaragua company to save money possibly!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 18, 2008, 10:37:

Mostly a waste of time for mainland Colombia on a large scale due to Colombia having a lot of cheap hydro power.

Also on a small scale I suspect, as Electricity is very cheap here compared with solar and wind start up costs.

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 18, 2008, 10:40:

jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 18, 2008, 11:06:

Ctg Bound says on Aug 18, 2008, 11:27:

jorgegdiaz,

I have seen pictures of Gaviotas mini hydro system, do you have any experience with that?

I would have thought that would have good potential in a lot of Colombia due to its mountains.

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GregYohn says on Aug 18, 2008, 12:48:

Hola!

When there is not the rainy season, what is your backup power?

Solar power seems the easiest thing to do for people just starting off. Solar hot water is easier than solar electricity. You can use 12 volt solar panels with a battery, power regulator, and an ionveter to run your items. I have seen examples being used for powering clinics and schools that used modest number of solar panels.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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lpdiver says on Aug 18, 2008, 13:14:

Yah,

The FARC would LOVE a dam to destruct.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 18, 2008, 14:39:

GregYohn,

It presently rains all year round in the mountans of Colombiam, if it stops, you will end up with bigger problems than just electricity.

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GregYohn says on Aug 18, 2008, 16:08:

Hola!

Microhydro power doe not need dams and just diverts a stream's water.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 18, 2008, 17:58:

GregYohn,

Microhydro power: I knowm, but I don't think it diverts the stream, as the stream is supposed to run through it, unless the stream is going to overflow due to the semi blockage in it.

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GregYohn says on Aug 18, 2008, 21:45:

Hola!

You collect the water using a screen & PVC pipe and send the water to the generator. That concept is called diverting the stream.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 19, 2008, 04:42:

GregYohn,

The one I have seen is placed in the stream, the stream is diverted while the placing is made, but no doubt there are other types.

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quantum says on Aug 19, 2008, 12:36:

Ctg,
The systems u are talking about are much bigger. We are talking about micro hydro turbines of which there are various concepts. You divert water from the stream by virtue of a 2" -4" pvc tubing which leads to your turbine, power regulater, batteries and finally inverter which converts the 12v up to 48v to 110 houselhold current. If any of you folks are aware of locally made micro hydro which have capacity up to 3000 watts, I would be very interested. Also, out of curiosity, with so much of colombias energy output coming from hydro, what is the cost per hr of kilowat there. In costa rica (lots of hydro) its about 8c, in Panama (with 30% hydro) its more like 15-18c per k hr. And that makes Panama one of the highest elect cost countries in Latin Am.......Appreciate greatly any info in this subject. (altern energy in general)

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 19, 2008, 12:57:

quantum,

Not sure what the RAW cost per hour, due the Estrata system they have, but electric is VERY cheap for housholds if they don't have aircon units in Medellin.

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GregYohn says on Aug 19, 2008, 13:00:

Hola!

My electricity needs in the USA are 5.1 kilowatts a day, so I would not need as much in Colombia, since we have solar hot water there.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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adrienne79 says on Aug 19, 2008, 13:45:

When we were in Parque Tarona, we noticed some cabanas with solar panels. I think they were in Arriciefes.

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