A few questions from a newb

[gmeast]

1.) Solar is expensive because the Truth is expensive.  And since the "civilized" world was weaned on the lie for many moon by the flotilla of crap that has managed to float to the top of societies everywhere, it no longer cares enough to fight for air, considering the smell "up there".  But just so you know, with a little ingenuity and elbow grease to go along with your couple thousand bucks, you absolutely can run your home on solar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4KW-Almost-Whole-Broken-3x6-Solar-Cells-DIY-Solar-Panel-/180713386690?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a135b72c2

A grid tie option is probably best if available in your area as it avoids battery banks and can completely offset your electricity costs.  Many receive a check from their utility company for the surplus.

2)  That certainly depends upon who you ask!  If you were to ask the PTB (who have grabbed and hoarded all the best tech), they'd look at you funny and maybe ask you what you mean by the word: "promising"? 

3) There are numerous reasons for the seeming illusion of free energy at our finger tips.  This goes back millennia since the quest for "overunity" began.  And one of the chief reasons that it stays just beyond our grasp goes back quite aways too.  With great power comes great responsibility.  And with great responsibility come those that love power the most.  Our world could only end up as it has.  Those allowed to NOT play by the rules, always get ahead in the "game".  See definition for "domestic quell".  Many hard and soft options.  If it's one thing that the PTB have mastered, it's the ability to misdirect.  Hidden hands in every pie these days.  Fun, fun.....yet they are now playing witness to the "incredible shrinking playground".


TS

Hello,


Can you please elaborate as to what utility in which state gives any of its customers a check for their surplus. My experiences as an installer, at least in California, is that in a grid-tied system that is properly designed to offset your entire (average) annual use is one thing and your real time use is variable throughout the seasons, which is quite another thing. In Winter you are a Net Consumer and in the Summer you are a Net Producer. As a billing option, the utilities offer to average it for you and bill you once a year or sometimes semiannually. But there's always a fee from the utility (just) to be connected to the grid and that can be anywhere from $35 per year to $200 per year depending on the utility and their contract with you. Either way, $200 per year is a very good deal considering they (the utility) are the ones climbing the power pole to restore your power after a big storm knocked it out.  But I've never known of any utility that pays their customers anything. This has been my experience anyway.


Thanks

[TechStuf]

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/DistGen/netmetering.htm

Other states are following California's lead regarding Net Metering Surplus.  Of course, one may wish to check with their local power utility.

And your assessment is correct, in that most residential needs customers will have systems incapable of sustaining a net surplus situation.


TS