Off the Grid
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Off the Grid
Interesting article(s) in the SF Chronicle, one on living off the grid
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...NGUIHBUPR1.DTL
And the other on makng fuel from poop
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...NGUIHBUPP1.DTL
And yesterday, the President endorsed plug in hybrid technology and rooftop solar for homes. Gee, is being "green" turning into being "Red"?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...NGUIHBUPR1.DTL
And the other on makng fuel from poop
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...NGUIHBUPP1.DTL
And yesterday, the President endorsed plug in hybrid technology and rooftop solar for homes. Gee, is being "green" turning into being "Red"?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
actually, i am rather surprised that the solar panel thing hasn't taken off, it seems to me a great way to supplement the electric power a house consumes. expensive up front, but like anything else, it pays for its self in the long run and has the double benefits of being good for the enviroment and helping get off this fossil fuel kick.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Part of the problem is the up-front expense. Plus the oilies and energy companies are opposing efforts to pay homeowners to generate extra electricity. If the government would subsidize rooftop solar instead of the big oil companies (while they're making record profits) maybe something would happen.
Presently most power companies will let you "feed the grid" if you have excess and will issue you credits which are applied to your bill. So the incentive is to put up a system which only "breaks even". Or charge a battery bank, but that's expensive.
The way it ought to be is that you get to sell to the power co while you're at work during the day, at the same pricey day rates they charge to generate, then at night you run your heavy stuff (and plug in your "plug-in" hybrid?) using the excess energy that flows unused at night, at cheaper rates.
I know of a guy who has two electric vehicles (I think one's a homebuilt and the other is a Toyota Rav-4 EV) and a rooftop solar, and he breaks even at the end of the year. He still has more rooftop area for increased capacity, but there's no incentive.
Presently most power companies will let you "feed the grid" if you have excess and will issue you credits which are applied to your bill. So the incentive is to put up a system which only "breaks even". Or charge a battery bank, but that's expensive.
The way it ought to be is that you get to sell to the power co while you're at work during the day, at the same pricey day rates they charge to generate, then at night you run your heavy stuff (and plug in your "plug-in" hybrid?) using the excess energy that flows unused at night, at cheaper rates.
I know of a guy who has two electric vehicles (I think one's a homebuilt and the other is a Toyota Rav-4 EV) and a rooftop solar, and he breaks even at the end of the year. He still has more rooftop area for increased capacity, but there's no incentive.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 964
Likes: 1
From: Roseburg, OR
Around here, living off the grid doesn't simply mean "self-generated/collected electricity", it means "no electricity, no phone, no address". 
Someday when I get in to the position to actually own a house, I plan to integrate quite a bit of energy-efficient and energy-harnessing technologies. Of course, that's a few years off, so technology may have advanced a little by then.
Someday when I get in to the position to actually own a house, I plan to integrate quite a bit of energy-efficient and energy-harnessing technologies. Of course, that's a few years off, so technology may have advanced a little by then.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: Houston
e1p1, you might be surprised but the big oil companies are the big solar panel makers. check out bp.com and click on the "solar" link.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
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From: CA Central Coast
Okst1, it makes sense to a point, since oil IS a finite resource they should have to look elsewhere to make a buck...but it also worries me that the fox may be in charge of the henhouse.
The Oilies have little reason to advance the technology much until oil gets scarce. And Chevron already may be sitting on battery technology that would make EV's and hybrids much more viable. I have a post on a thread about batteries in "Alternative Fuels Forum" that has a little detail...here's a snip:
The rumor/story: A small company by the name of Cobaysys (sp?) had developed an auto L-ion battery that lasted through many charges, and stored a lot of power. These batteries could easily power a Rav-4 EV or one of Fords Ranger EV's over 150 miles on a charge, using the same number of batteries [as lead acid setup].
Chevron bought the company and when Toyota started using the batteries (or tech like it) they were sued by Chevron. The details are sealed by the court, but rumour has it that Toyota has agreed not to use the technology for ten years. They had to use other batteries n the Prius. Chevron refuses to comment on the suit, or deny the charges. Chevron refuses to sell the batteries to ANYONE.
The Oilies have little reason to advance the technology much until oil gets scarce. And Chevron already may be sitting on battery technology that would make EV's and hybrids much more viable. I have a post on a thread about batteries in "Alternative Fuels Forum" that has a little detail...here's a snip:
The rumor/story: A small company by the name of Cobaysys (sp?) had developed an auto L-ion battery that lasted through many charges, and stored a lot of power. These batteries could easily power a Rav-4 EV or one of Fords Ranger EV's over 150 miles on a charge, using the same number of batteries [as lead acid setup].
Chevron bought the company and when Toyota started using the batteries (or tech like it) they were sued by Chevron. The details are sealed by the court, but rumour has it that Toyota has agreed not to use the technology for ten years. They had to use other batteries n the Prius. Chevron refuses to comment on the suit, or deny the charges. Chevron refuses to sell the batteries to ANYONE.
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