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Posted by Dave on June 1, 2007, 2:35 am
>
>>>
>> Just my observation. I went to seminars on solar panels and they just
>> aren't ready for prime time.
>
> Well, I have done some research in this area. What you say may have been
> true a few years ago. They have improved this technology. I considered
> staying off of the grid because I built my house about a 1/2 mile from
> the grid. I chickened out because the region I live in does not have
> enough yearly sun exposure. I live in Maine. I do have some friends and
> acquaintances though that do have total solar. They supplement with
> generators. They do have to live a tad bit differently. They do not have
> toasters, electric dyers, refrigerators. They do their laundry at a
> Laundromat. The instead cook with propane.... they have a propane fridge.
> They pump water on sunny days into a large cistern. One gut I know has a
> pick up truck with a bank of batteries. He drives to work and when he
> comes home he plugs his truck into the house to offer more power. he also
> has a lot of battery operated devices. He likes being independent and
> also loves it when storms blow through and everyone loses power except
> him. I think people should let the government supplement people and the
> solar. Other choices with solar could be a hybrid system. We need to
> reduce our dependence on oil especially foreign oil. We are all too
> spoiled and waste so much oil on electricity. We waste a lot of resources
> on things like Christmas lights and the like.
>
Rural Texan here. No Xmas lights, no one to impress (the purpose of). My
wastes consist of:
Falling asleep during a DVD movie, waking up to the initial DVD menu screen.
Using a clothes dryer. Haven't gotten around to putting up the clothesline
yet.
Using 2 night-lights to negotiate around the house at night when I get home
from work.
Failing to buy flourescent bulbs for my incandescent versions. Seldom use
these incandescents as light source.
Failing to open all the windows and use fresh air all the time. Set the AC
thermostat at 80 degrees F. Hasn't kicked in till around 2 pm earliest.
Using electric weed trimmer to trim grass around house, fence and walk
areas. Electric fence (battery/solar powered) on fence requires trimming
foliage from it so it won't discharge on the foliage. Line is 6" above the
ground. Keeps the dogs from digging under the fence. Considered trimming
by hand, fence it too lengthy.
Water well pump is 240VAC. Sometimes irrigate the lawn using this water
supply. Once a month, I take a hot vs. a shower. Electric water heater,
dual tanks.
Pump 35 gallons of water a day via the water well pump to flush the aerator
filtration system of sulfuric acid. Its purpose it to remove hydrogen
sulfide gas from the well water. The water goes to some live oak trees
downstream and St. Augustine grass. Both in vicinity of the french drain
that this drain goes to.
Use warm water to wash my clothing vice cold water.
Usually turn off my computer when done. Once in awhile, I don't.
End of electrical use waste comments...
Sound like a TV commercial. We need to end our dependency on oil period,
bud. Along with that, plastics, and all products made in China. Recyclable
materials for reuse for production as steel is today. Would like to thank
President Nixon to President Bush (SR.), inclusive, for selling out to
China.. Products are inexpensive, but, all the jobs for making such
products are gone.
Dave
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