Leaving the grid

Tom Brosz — 12/17/2004 8:36:42 PM (archived)

As with missile defense, power generation free of the grid is something that works best if approached using multiple systems. I'm assuming that you have some money to throw around if you have a major photovoltaic installation (well, maybe not any more!)

Do you have a reliable source of natural gas? (Okay, you still have to pay for it, but there it is). Auxiliary fuel cells units are coming into play that can use such a fuel directly (instead of hard-to-get hydrogen). Such a system will work all the time, and cover your needs when the sun is down without having to use huge banks of batteries.

I don't know what units are commercially available, if any--I've seen a few in places like parks and other places, but they could have been experimental.

Windmills work in your area?

The whole thread (52 posts)

Xcel Energy's threat to residential photovoltaic systems. - a rather upset ~jms~ - 12/17/2004 5:04:42 AM
- Update - jms - 12/19/2004 4:02:57 AM
  - Damn...I was hoping you were gonna organize a ski in...Er...I mean sit in...That we could participate in. (n/t) - Scott Evil - 12/20/2004 2:40:06 PM
  - It's good to relax. - Mary Anne - 12/19/2004 9:51:55 PM
  - Thanks! Keep us posted on further developments. - Tom Brosz - 12/19/2004 4:11:17 AM
- That is a bad deal and a blatant attempt to end run the law - ebnelson - 12/17/2004 7:23:24 PM
- Man, you got us fired up! (n/t) - alcaray - 12/17/2004 6:52:22 PM
  - Yeah, cool to see everyone pulling in the same direction for a change! (n/t) - LJ - 12/17/2004 7:07:13 PM
    - Can't we all just get along? - Tony - 12/17/2004 8:01:49 PM
- BTW... - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:40:08 PM
  - net-metering changes are a small part of that docket - jms - 12/17/2004 6:19:10 PM
- A good letter to the commissioners, but not for the public. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:02:08 PM
  - And do your local TV news shows have consumer reports, - alcaray - 12/17/2004 5:57:38 PM
    - Yes! Radio too. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 6:25:14 PM
      - I once had a problem with a utility - alcaray - 12/17/2004 6:50:39 PM
  - Excellent suggestions - jms - 12/17/2004 5:48:04 PM
  - Contact some university activists too. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:28:15 PM
    - Activists - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:42:38 PM
      - Activists - jms - 12/17/2004 6:27:01 PM
        
        If there were more like you, and less gas-fired power stations - Tony - 12/17/2004 7:59:52 PM
- Good luck - LJ - 12/17/2004 4:57:47 PM
  - Luck will have very little to do with it. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:12:10 PM
    - re: Luck will have very little to do with it. - LJ - 12/17/2004 6:19:28 PM
      - Sorry. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 6:31:47 PM
- Under other circumstances, it would be almost "bait and switch." - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 4:53:46 PM
  - The problem with that is that it will still enable the power company to discourage others from producing their own power. - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 7:02:06 PM
  - Compromise, shmompromise - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:33:36 PM
    - "I say go for the win." - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 5:44:03 PM
      - LOL! I'm not even going to fight with you. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:46:52 PM
- Go get 'em! - Fox - 12/17/2004 4:34:09 PM
  - newspapers - jms - 12/17/2004 5:52:10 PM
    - I think they're busy distributing New Testaments this weekend, anyway... (n/t) - Fox - 12/19/2004 12:52:33 AM
      - can't compete with that, it's a bestseller! - jms - 12/19/2004 1:17:52 AM
        
        re: waiting 'til after the holidays - Fox - 12/19/2004 2:56:53 PM
- re: It sounds like they are trying to get around the rules concerning net metering... - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 4:23:34 PM
  - what happens if we make more than we use - jms - 12/17/2004 5:59:38 PM
    - Thanks. That's really interesting. - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 6:50:55 PM
      - P.S. There is another alternative comprimise - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 7:19:53 PM
  - Not "get around": "change". By regulation, because public opinion, once aroused, would never support it. grrr (n/t) - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 5:15:37 PM
- my solution. - Jack Herer - 12/17/2004 3:22:40 PM
  - batteries - jms - 12/17/2004 6:06:14 PM
    - Leaving the grid - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 8:36:42 PM
      - multiple systems - jms - 12/17/2004 9:36:51 PM
        
        Have you experienced any noticable decline in your PV energy output as the system ages? - Scott Evil - 12/17/2004 10:26:03 PM
        
        not really - jms - 12/17/2004 11:04:29 PM
        
        Thanks for the interesting info. Its good to hear that they are holding up well. - Scott Evil - 12/20/2004 2:34:56 PM
        
        Current warrenty is 25 years. (n/t) - sean - 12/18/2004 1:41:10 PM
        
        re: multiple systems - Tom Brosz - 12/17/2004 10:17:15 PM
        
        pulse furnace - jms - 12/17/2004 10:53:46 PM
  - It's a political problem, Jack. - Mary Anne - 12/17/2004 4:00:48 PM
    - re: It's a political problem, Jack. - p - 12/17/2004 4:20:59 PM
      - How am I supposed to argue with you - Tony - 12/17/2004 5:00:21 PM

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