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The thing that you will most likely sacrifice with an off grid application is the reliability of the grid. It's about three to six 9s in reliability depending upon where you live.
Yes, there will be some reliability issues with off-grid, but what I hear from the locals it's about the same as the utility company in that area LOL! I think having a net-metered system in an urban/semi-rural setting would be ideal for most people.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlchurch
We are getting closer, but I suspect your system will cost more than 7 ¢/kWh all in. PV cells are expected to drop substantially in price over the next couple of years.
The prices are already dropping now, and the technology is improving (more Watts per surface collection. That combo is going to be wonderful news! New battery & wind turbine tech is also going to help a lot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlchurch
Few options with a poor utility. Mine drives me crazy, because I know what is doable.
When I last lived in the boonies our utility company was practically useless. We'd have power outages at least once a month, their customer service really sucked, and it was mighty expensive juice, too. But when they have you by the short hairs, there isn't much you can do about it. Perhaps that's why home power systems are so appealing to me -- bucking the established monopoly has it's charm
There are maximums available -- that's the Cap. As far as I know a company can meet it's full obligation by buying offsets. What that means is that someone reduced their output enough to balance out the company that did nothing.
Bull, more disinformation from some unknown who claims to be an expert.!!
It just means you had to buy credits from someone who has them.
Check out CCX site, look at offset project types. All kinds of things that do not reduce emmisions from power plants Credits are being created right now to be used years down the road
They don't really need to innovative or respond fast to changing circumstances. Most all power companies have a monopoly on the local/regional level.
Not really, you have every right to make your own energy. Nobody forces you to buy from the local utility. Call them I'm sue they would be happy to pull your meter....
Not really, you have every right to make your own energy. Nobody forces you to buy from the local utility. Call them I'm sue they would be happy to pull your meter....
Make my own energy with what? Do you think there is any easy way for an individual in a built-up area to handle his own energy in a cheap and environmentally friendly fashion?
You don't understand utility rate regulation. Politicians actually have very little to do with this. Hang in there with things you really understand like anthracite boilers.
Since I like to bash my head against the wall I'll reply.. What do you think the State PUC is made up by? POLITICIANS... IO rates are set in the backrooms and always result in pain for the rate payer.......
Make my own energy with what? Do you think there is any easy way for an individual in a built-up area to handle his own energy in a cheap and environmentally friendly fashion?
Ask rlchurch He seems to have all the magic answers but I agree with you. You cannot do it any cheaper then the utility. However this is just what certian factions want you to do. Pay more for something that does work as well as what you get today....
Ask rlchurch He seems to have all the magic answers but I agree with you. You cannot do it any cheaper then the utility. However this is just what certian factions want you to do. Pay more for something that does work as well as what you get today....
At the moment, no you can't do it any cheaper. BUT many people can do it themselves without paying taxes, fees and surcharges or being at the whim of a corporation. Plus they know exactly how and where their power is coming from (if they're concerned about such things).
Living in an apartment in the city, especially without a southern exposure or adequate clearance from surrounding buildings, does make it difficult for an individual to do it themselves... but the apartment complex could certainly install some PV or wind collection on net-meter to offset the grid power used by the inhabitants.
At the moment, no you can't do it any cheaper. BUT many people can do it themselves without paying taxes, fees and surcharges or being at the whim of a corporation. Plus they know exactly how and where their power is coming from (if they're concerned about such things).
Living in an apartment in the city, especially without a southern exposure or adequate clearance from surrounding buildings, does make it difficult for an individual to do it themselves... but the apartment complex could certainly install some PV or wind collection on net-meter to offset the grid power used by the inhabitants.
The discouraging aspect of net metering is that the distribution system has to be upgraded to accomodate it and many electric utilities are hopelessly mired in central station power dogma. They just don't get it when it comes to distributed generation. Many are like the old mainframe computer companies, stuck in the past and unable to adapt.
It's unfortunate that so many companies become cumbersome leviathans. Even without resorting to hypothetical numbers, you can imagine how much power can be generated from individual power systems which would result in reducing the amount required from the central station (and, subsequently, the possibility of reduced emmissions, resources, etc).
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I go fishing and see what happens!!!
.. What do you think the State PUC is made up by? POLITICIANS... IO rates are set in the backrooms and always result in pain for the rate payer.......
