BS: Solar Energy Questions???....

Subject: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:33 PM

Well, as some of you know the P=Vine and I are moving to Luray, Va. and the house we're buying is gonna need to be added on to and seriously messed with before we can actually move in which allows me the luxery of exploring energy options, solor being one...

Now I fully understand passive solor energy but that's about it. Okay, yeah I know you put panel on a roof and circulate water thru it for hot water but that's about all I know...

I can imagine panels that extract the heat and, like the hot water heater, circulate hot water thru baseboard heaters but I don't like baseboard heaters because they eat up yer wall space...

So here's my question (and, yes, I have googled it somewhat...). Is there a system that converts the suns energy into enouff electricty to run an air confitioner/heat pump that uses duct work???

And how about producing electricity beyond that particular need???

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:37 PM

thread drift - Bobert if it was you with the vintage double decker bus, are you relocating that too? It conjured up a warming picture when it was described.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:39 PM

I believe that you can add solar panels to your roof, which have improved in recent years and can get some energy from them. but I think it would be a fairly light load. Such as your lights.
IT is worth looking into a heat pump system which uses the difference in temperature in the ground and can heat or cool your house but it does draw a fair amount of electricity.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Peace
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:43 PM

The first link is a general overview of solar energy.

http://lsa.colorado.edu/essence/texts/solar.htm

The second link is to an on-line community. You may get some answers there to help with the answers you get here.

http://www.talkenergy.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Amos
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:48 PM

Yes, Bobert, there are such systems, but you need to check their expected out put for your region, because what you get from them is a function of the hours per year and angle of sunlight where you live. The systems are photovoltaic, not solar-heating and in some environments they claim to provide enough for a household, but I haven't looked into the numbers with any rigor. (That's because numbers make me lose mine....)

The DC is stored in batteries and fed into your household system via an inverter. You can also get a switching system that will feed surplus into the grid and make you meter run backwards in some states, effectively selling the surplus back tot he utility company. Depends on local law.

Home Depot out here sells such a system via a subcontracting company.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 07:52 PM

Find out if the local power company offers/allows two-way metering. If so, the meter runs in one direction when you need to draw power from the grid, and winds back in the other direction when you are producing more energy than you need.

Cost-effectiveness of generating your own solar electricity via photovoltaic cells (or whatever) may very well depend upon whether such an option is available. If it is, you can set up a system that supplies you with enough power for your own use under average conditions; when your needs are greater than average, you're on the grid and can buy juice just like anyone else, and when your needs are less than average, your production capacity not only supplies you with power for your household, but also provides a bit of extra income/credit (to pay for the "outside" electricity you need to buy on cloudy days).

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:26 PM

Although I know it may set your teeth on edge to consult Boss Hawg, the National Center for Photovoltaic Energy has some fairly interesting stuff. You'll have to dig around in the site to see what - if anything - interests you.

A commercial source for possibly useful components is at National Solar Supply. Click on their "Prepackaged Kits" on the left sidebar to get a look at the range of things available. You're likely to get more "practical" info on what you might be able to do here.

Another commercial bunch, at Southwest PV also has some stuff on some typical installations. You'll likely want to poke around their site, but you can go straight to their home power systems.

In some parts of the country it's "doable," but takes careful advance planning to make sure the system will be useful and not just a maintenance chore.

Note that the National Solar guys also do wind turbines. With any solar/wind/fuel cell system you will need a battery bank, if only to stabilize voltages, a charge regulator of some sort, and an inverter or dc/ac motor generator to make your power into ac.

Another Boss Hawg site, at EERC Storage Batteries References site may be helpful if you start getting serious about spec'ing out a system. A very few links on this page may actually lead to something useful, but you'll have to Google up most of the references.

I've been looking at smaller stuff - perhaps for an RV, and haven't found anything very useful yet; but I'm limited on how much $$$$$ I can feed it. Larger installations are usually more efficient, and very large ones (factory size) can be break-even or better on costs - they say... Fuel cells actually look better there, but PhotoVoltaics would probably be prefered for house power.

Got room for a 40' wind turbine?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:35 PM

Thanks, John... Hey, I don't care if Boss Hog makes a buck on the side... All I wanta do is get my new-to-me house earth friendly... An I ain't into many more years of cuttin' and splittin' downed wood...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:52 PM

Bobert, I tried answering this earlier but the 'Cat crashed before I could post it. I have a friend who is building his home and several outbuildings in West Texas (a tad sunnier than Virginia, but the principles are still the same) all to have solar or other (wind, in the future) power along with the access to the grid. There are people all over the place who are selling power back to the electric company--you might as well be one of them! He's an electrical engineer, took early retirement from Lockheed so he could work on this. Once you read all of your resources, if you have any specific questions, send me a PM or post them here and I'll forward them along, and get you two in contact with each other, if it suits you both. He has been a huge help here at my house, where I am not ready to put solar panels on the roof (though if I had the cash I would), but where I've added insulation and worked out a plan for wiring phone and coaxial cable to each room (for now it would be for tv, but who knows what else might use it in the near future) and a star pattern in the attic from a 66-block in the hall closet.

It's very liberating, knowing how to do this stuff yourself.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 09:52 PM

And thanks, brucie... I've tried to join up with the second blue clicky folks but they ain't respondin'.... They said they had sent me an email but I didn't get it.... but cool site...

I just keep hopin' to find a contractor in the area but to no avail and since I'm gonna be the contrator on the rest of the job I gotta find someone to hook up with... I've allready talked with the various folks down there who just shake their heads when I bring up solar energy....

Like what's wrong wid folks, anyway?

Nevermind that las' question...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: open mike
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:22 PM

Photo Voltaic panels are often manufactured by Petroleum companies..
they HAVE found a way to charge yo ufor the sun!!
Shell, Arco, B.P,.and others make 'em.
I lived for over 20 years with a house that was off the grid.
and we used propane for cooking, refridgeration, water heating
and even lights sometimes. (oh, and clothes dryer when it was
raining or snowing)
the Real Goods company sells systems www.realgoods.com/
and the Instutute for Solar Living gives workshops http://www.solarliving.org/ and has publications, too i think.

The sunlight that falls on your house site determines how much you
can provide for your energy needs. It is likely that you can power
computer, washing machine and skil saw, but not at the same time!!

Storage batteries are often 4 6 volt batteries wired in series
and/or parallel to provide 12 or 24 volts and the inverter
changes DC to AC.

The other option is hydro--well, one of the other options..
do you have running water nearby? if it is above you and you
can pipe it, you can get it to turn a Pelton Wheel turbine and
also have the water run into a pond or pool.

the Hydro system in my former house is so efficient,
that the ex no longer uses the PV panels, and has
given them to me to install at my place, as the solar
access is better here.

You should be able to find data on the numvber of sunny days
that you will average in a year where you are...for instance
Las Vegas would be a great solar site...but with Hoover Dam
there to pump kilowatts they do not even think of Solar!!

there is a magazine called Home Power which has great info
www.homepower.com/
and this site has a directory of knowledgeable folks.
http://www.i2p.org/home.htm

here ar ethe Virginia folks from that page:

Current Electric         Bryan Walsh         3320 Mt Zion Rd.         Blacksburg, VA 24060         540-951-5394         [e-mail]
www.moonlightsolar.com

Solar Services, Inc.         Richard Good         1364 London Bridge Rd #102         Virginia Beach, VA 23456         757-427-6300         [e-mail]
www.solarservices.com



this place is near Portland oregon i think www.solardyne.com/
(cuz i often get wrong numbers when people are trying to reach
Portland area numbers...the area codes are similar)

and here is an on-line magazine http://www.altpowermag.com/query/issues/012704.htm

good luck and happy hunting...
well, at least you only chop and burn trees that are already down.

then there is this saying: "Split wood, not atoms."

this site has an interesting bunch of links...
http://burning-wheel.org/information.html

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:28 PM

Thankee, thankee, open mike... Gonna give me a lot of resources here... Gonna put the P-Vine on the phone an' see what she find out....

All I know is that the house seems to get a lot of sun...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: open mike
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 12:39 AM

solar engineers can scope it out
with a measuring tool they have..
it predicts the angle of the sun
winter and summer and helps you
decide if it is feasible. It can
judge by the height of the trees
if they will block the winter sun...
I am mounting panels on a roof 12
feet or more off the ground so the
tall trees to the south of me will
not shade them. this scope thing-y
has a plexiglass dome and the person
who reads it marks the tree-top level
on it with a grease pencil, and they
transfer that to a chart/graph. Cool
technology. and majic...PV somehow
has 2 dis-similar metals and they
are activated when in sunlight...I
have a panel on my r.v. to keep the
batteries charged. it is on a looong
extension chord so i can park in the
shade and take the panel into the sun.
some municipal installations around
here are powering city, county and
college with solar power. good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: open mike
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 04:28 AM

forgot to mention tax credits..see:
http://shop.altenergystore.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Pied Piper
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 05:42 AM

I don't think there is any problem getting sufficient electricity from PVs to most of your energy needs. In the UK 300W/squar meter is the average amount of energy available from Sunlight, assuming 10% efficiency (pessimistic) 30W x the area of your roof, say 100 Square meters? = 3kW for say on average 4 hours a day is 12kW hours.
The problem of cause, is that it would cost an arm and a leg.

PP

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 05:55 AM

I dont know any details , Bobert , but I do know that there are homes here in UK with Solar Panels which run well enough that the owner can actually SELL electricity to the national Grid ! .What the cost of
installation is , I have no idea , but I dont think they give them away with box tops !

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 08:23 AM

I've got a solar panel in my car! It's plugged into the cigarette lighter and just keeps the car battery boosted. I didn't have any starting problems at all last year!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 08:42 AM

Great how posts disappear.
~~~~~~
The further north away from the Equator you live (in the Northern Hemisphere), and the further north from the Tropic line, the less sun you get in Winter relative to Summer. So it is less possible to have Winter heating with the same relative levels of power that would give you comfortable Summer Cooling. This will be the same for passive or Voltaic.

That may sound incomphrensible, but think about the Physics of it for a while.

~~~~~

Also, there is a new hot water system they are promoting here, it is a 'heat pump' - needs electricity only to move the water around thru the heat exchanger. We can get a govt rebate to several hundred dollar, so I hate to think what they cost...

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: CallyH
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:28 AM

There is a great magazine called 'Home Power' that publishes loads of informative articles about this sort of stuff (solar power, wind power, hydro, green building techniques, etc.).

If you go to their website you can download articles free of charge.

www.homepower.com

We have just bought two PV solar panels to supplement the windcharger on our narrowboat. At the moment they are lying on the dining room floor awaiting the completion of the mounting device.

Good luck!

Rachel

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: open mike
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 02:33 PM

yes i posted the home power magazine link I know some of the folks who work there and some of the
folks who write columns for the mag....I am a subscriber.
Bob-o and Kathleen's sister is my next door neighbor/land partner
and my ohter next door neighbor is a solar dealer/installer.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Amos
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 02:40 PM

That seems to be a local link pointing at the Cat...the absolute link is http://www.homepower.com/.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 06:02 PM

Then there's wind generation for the winter months, simpler to instal.
Try here
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 06:04 PM

Hey Bobert,

Ya gotta get yourself the Real Goods catalog if you are thinking of going solar. They go way back in solar time--I think they got started back during the Carter administration!

Anyway, the catalog is free. Check it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:32 PM

Teah, thanks, everyone. Ya got my poor ol' head spinnin'... I think what I need is a solar contractor who can install, explain, ect and give my head a break... No, not a broken head, mind (pun intended) you, but I gotta way too much else on my plate to unnerstand all this stuff...

But, in case I get about 4 hours, I got all o' these fine links bookmarked... I neeed about 3 o' me... Maybe 4...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 10:06 PM

In 2002 I attended a Symposium at Utah State University. The Tanner Symposium that year was called "The Search for a Common Language: Environmental Writing Education." They do entirely different subjects every year. That year the goal was to mix environmental writers and environmental scientists and see what would happen with the intersection of the two groups. It was fascinating. In particular, listening to and speaking with the German scientist Hartmut Grassl, it was an education to see what is going on in the rest of the world. In Germany many home energy saving and energy producing projects are encouraged (and perhaps subsidized--maybe Wolfgang or one of our other Teutonic members will join in and add some details) and regularly send power back to the grid. I linked to a Google search on the man--if his writing is anything like his speaking, it's clear, lucid, and encouraging.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: dianavan
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 11:41 PM

Give it a try, Bobert. I know many people who use alternate energy. They usually have a combination of solar and wind or solar and water. Pelton Wheel turbines are amazing? Do you have a source of running water on your land. As long as it is a steady trickle, it will do the trick.

...and yes you need a way to store your power (usually a bank of batteries) and a converter.

I do not know anyone who actually heats their house with alternate energy but you should be able to find the answers to these questions on the net or...

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Peace
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 11:43 PM

Also, Bobert--if you meet folks who say they don't believe in the value of solar power, send 'em to see me. They can sit in my ol' Dodge after it's been in the sun for six hours.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 12:29 AM

With respect to Foolestroupe's comment on the effect of latitude:

The effect cited, that at high latitudes you get less sun, is true. While it is significant, it may be less significant than might be expected.

If your receptor panels are inclined relative to the incident sunlight, their effective area is reduced. If you can tip them up (so that the perpendicular to the panel points directly toward the sun) the solar energy received on the same effective area is very nearly the same regardless of the season. Since it's light, not heat, that's bringing the energy in, the "ambient condition" can be quite deceptive. In addition, the efficiency of many solar/electric panels is significantly better at lower ambient temperatures.

At very high latitudes, it may be difficult to get enough inclination to maintain capacity in winter. For home power, the panels tend to be quite large, and they are "out in the weather." A fixed inclination that's a compromise is the usual thing.

You do get fewer hours of daylight during winter at high latitudes, and this of course has a significant effect on the total amount of energy you can trap each day. If you're really "over the horizon" in winter, you've got a pretty serious limitation.

Prolonged overcast periods can be a problem in some areas; but as long as "it's light out" some power may be available, even when there's little direct sunlight. Whether this is the case depends a lot on the specific design of the panels you use. Whether your system can accept and use or store the energy trapped from indirect/diffuse light may depend a lot on the "accessories" such as voltage regulators, inverters, and battery setup.

A solar system manufacturer may have packages or kits designed specifically for the latitude at which you want to install; but other weather/climate factors may need to be considered to "tweak" the setup if you want optimum performance.

Lots to learn. It's there, but you need to dig a little for it. Ideally, you may be able to get info from someone local who's experience should be a lot of help. Be advised that in some parts of the US, alternative energy is still sort of a "nut thing" to many, so someone who's done it may have "flavored" their opinions in response to the attitude of "the public." Knock about ten percent off of everything they say if that appears to be the case - and "charge" on.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: open mike
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 02:16 AM

Real Goods' vision is multi-faceted. Since our inception in 1978, we have tried to change the way America does business by espousing the traditional values of integrity, honesty, friendliness, wise resource use, and ingenuity. Since our business began by serving the needs of rural homesteaders in what was called the "back-to-the-land movement" in the late 1970's, the Company has always strived to find and deliver appropriate technologies to its customers.

was Carter in office in 1978? yep--77-81

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: robomatic
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 06:09 AM

Also check out:
Rocky Mountain Institute
They've been doint overall alternative energy and energy efficient studies and articles for over a generation.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 10:02 AM

Photovoltaic is glamourous but the least economic form of renewable energy.   Currently, renewable energy accounts for 6% of the total energy in the USA, and photovoltaic only accounts for 1% of the renewable energy.    Projections show that hydro, and geothermal are flat while biomass and wind are increasing.   Photovoltaic is actully declining.    According to Global Solutions 76% of new reneable energy will come from wind in the next 15 years.   In Michigan we only got an 18% capacity factor from our solar plants.

Have you considered a windmill?   McKenzie Bay makes a 66 foot 100 KW windmill with a 30% capacity factor. (very good for windmills)   They install and maintain the windmill and than sell you the electricity.   Gary Westerholm is their president.   Check out their web site.

I think the best investment you could make is a geothermal heat pump with an energy star (86 HERS rating) or better. I prefer blown cellulose insulation- same cost as fiberglass but much more effective.   I used to say 40% more effective but the Department of Energy (Oak Ridge Laboratory testing facility) got mad at me and asked that I stop saying it.   They used to claim it was 40% more effective but have now backed off somewhat. Nevertheless- cellulose it a better insulator, fire retardant, insect repellant, and a better sound prooer.   Fiberglass batts are never installed properly

I would make sure my house had R49 in the attic, R21 in the walls, an ICF or SIP basement, low e coated windows, and no more than 35% air changes per hour.   That will use far less energy and cost a whole lot less than photovoltaic.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 10:19 AM

Part of the reason I posted the information about Dr. Grassl that I forgot to add: we asked him about the seasonal problems with solar power, and he said that even in Germany, which is not a desert by any means, the systems in place still collect plenty of energy, even in a country that has it's fair share of overcast conditons. He sees a somewhat northern location with a higher percentage of cloudy days as no impediment to the collection of solar power.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 09:19 PM

The heat pump hot water heater I mentioned costs over AUD$3000, but you get Govt Rebates over $1000, so net price installed by Energex (local Elec Util) is $2300. This can be paid off over 12 months interest free to them, or over 4 years about 12% reducing interest.

They claim that you can save about 66% of the electricity used for hot water heating - it depends on what rate you are connected - here we can have a remote switched off peak tariff. It would also depend on just how much hot water you use, and how many people in the house. But a normal electric heater can be over $1000.

It may be worth investigating - the one here uses 240v for the pump, but you may get it in other voltages which may suit remote power applications. The electricity only moves the water thru the heat exchanger, it doesn't heat the water.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: kendall
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 06:55 PM

My good old state of Maine just installed solar heat at the capital. The governor challenged all governors to follow suit.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Kaleea
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 07:29 PM

Bobert, I applaud you for your desire to fire the elec company--& possibly some other utilities! There are some great ideas mentioned. I once visited a Menonnite family & in addition to farming, the Mr. was the baker in the community. The one outside influence he allowed himself was a radio-powered by a solar cell on the roof!

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 08:40 PM

Sadly, the problem is that solar cells - and modern electronics - is perhaps the most polluting technology on the planet, exceeding nuclear technology because of greater size.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 09:36 PM

Yeah, I have considered a windmill, LarryK... The property sits rather high on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge mountain so I figure that the air currents should be purdy danged decent... I'm gonna ask around if anyone has any records of average winds... I understand that 12 mph average will produce one heck of a lot of power... Plus I gotta check to be sure thetre aren't any gov't restrictions...

The house is stone with 3 1/2 insulated walls so I'm okay there... Haven't checked the the attick as yet... I will be putting on a 16 X 14 framed addition as well as inclosing a 35 X 14 carport. The addition will have 6 inch walls with properly installed fibre glass (with backing) insulation with cathedral ceilings but with lots of glass (southern exposure). The carport get morning sun and I'm also gonna use alot of glass in there as well with a small coal stove that I now use in my current house (though I butn wood in it) which is a monster stove fir its size...

As fir the solor panels, I have given thought to mounting them on an old truck so that I could move them according to seasons but that's as far as I've gotten... Just thinking...

You know, I wish this was the 70's agin because one wouldn't have to hunt and scratch so much to come up with resources...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 08:35 AM

Bobert, if I'm not mistaken, Real Goods will work with you to create an energy package to your specs. You might want to give them a call before you start, just to get some sense of what the project will entail, based upon your building plans.

Less scratching around that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 12:08 PM

If you have a yard, a 2 brine tank heat pump buried 15 feet down will give heat and air conditioning without gas or oil. The 2 electric motors that run it could be solar and battery powered.

I invented a wind turbine powered hydrogen gas generator should you ever have a hydrogen gas car. The only fuel is water and wind. The only by product is oxygen.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 02:34 PM

Bobert-   Take a serious look at using blown cellulose rather than fiberglass.    Oak Ridge Laboratory studies for the Department of Energy concluded that Fiberglass loses 40% of its effectiveness below 20 degrees.   Cellulose have a higher r value for the same cost and is a far better product. Rolled fiberglass is never installed properly.   Most ice dams are caused by improperly installed or inadequate attic insulation.

It is your money.   Spend it how you wish.   I blew 10" of cellulose on top of my 6" of fiberglass in the attic.   One of the best investments I ever made.

I have a 2,700 sq foot house with a 1,200 square foot basement in Michigan.   With the cellulose insulation and geothermal heat pump my total gas and electric bills average $1,300 to $1,500 a year.   And it gets pretty cold in Michigan.   And that is with a wife and two kids that leave every light in the house on as often as possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Solar Energy Questions???....
From: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 03:05 PM

Not that you need any more advice after the wealth of info provided above, but the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation, CMHC, has a lot of good stuff, free. Here.