Off-grid living - just joined forum.

[Sunking]

Sunking, do ever have anything constructive to say? Or is smarmy the only thing you know. Some of us just want to make changes. Some of us want to change the world. How about saying hi and starting a conversation instead of starting right out the gate with all of your nay saying.

Looks like you got your answer huh? If you want Sugar Coated liberal responses that only support Solar in a very false positive light I suggest you go elsewhere. Around here you get the facts both good and bad. As for me I could careless if I hurt your feelings.

[avibp]

A grid tie pv system has pretty good payback if you live in an area that the Utility costs are very high like Southern California. What also helps is having a Net Meter rate which allows you to "sell back" to the Utility 1 for 1. Some places the Utility will purchase your excess power for a fraction of what you purchase it from them. You are still getting something but the payback gets extended by years.

It has to do with the lack of any Utility grid within miles of the place you want to power up. Even then a solar pv "off grid" system is still way more expensive then having a generator using either LPG or Diesel fuel . While both are more expensive than power purchased from the Utility they are cheaper than using batteries.

Hope that helps you.

That was helpful indeed. TYVM I do want to tie back into the grid.

Respectfully I question your statement regarding the sell back of 1 to 1 or a fraction there-of. I was told a while back that the POCO is supposed to buy it back at a premium. I will have to find out about it here in AZ (eventually).

I have no purpose to go off-grid as I have a reliable POCO connection to use, I don't want/need to jump off of it. However, depending 100% on it doesn't feel very comfortable either as with mother nature doing what she does. It seems silly to not have a dependable back-up.

Generator? Absolutely, but what about a week into a power outage? Gas stations couldn't pump after Catrina or Sandy because of no power and then, the gas supply became an issue so, "Us people" need more than a grid + generator. I'm not a conspiracy or dooms-day theorist however, I do believe in insurance, assurances, CYA and personal responsibility.

I've never known education to be anything but expensive. This goes as well as anything CYA. Lawyers, guns and fights. It all hurts or costs..... or is that redundant? "Neither", you say. "Just chalk it up to education". Round and round it goes.

As far as my joking with Sunking regarding why someone would want to go solar, it seems like an empty question (offense is not intended). Why do lemmings jump off cliffs, why do people run cross-country, why do people do what they do? Obviously it is because they want to. A girl friend of mine lovingly asked me once to join her in the LA Marathon. I responded jokingly, "I'm an American man. We may stand or we may fall, but we never run". Freaked her right out. Eyes got huge. I am laughing now thinking about it. Simply said, "I'm not into running". She was. Total waste of time IMO. She loved it.(shrug)

I do understand Sunking's position and reason for asking. "Solar is not cost effective as well as being cost prohibitive to many".... OK. If so, (as it is) then just say that. The next question then becomes, "If not solar, what do I use to ensure my, my spouse's, my kids power stays on?

I'm sorry for speaking directly. I maybe coming across as an attack and it's truly not my intention just an observation. I also have to confess: I really do like the word smarmy (sp?).

[avibp]

Around here you get the facts both good and bad..

hoo-rah ! ! ! So rare and so cool.

As for me I could careless if I hurt your feelings.

Me too ! ! ! This is the biggest reason I love the internet. No-one can knock my teeth down my throat there and I am as big as the biggest man ever ever ever in the whole wide world even and don't have to be decent like my parents wanted me to be. (Is this smarmy? I have to learn that - First attempt)

[SunEagle]

That was helpful indeed. TYVM I do want to tie back into the grid.

Respectfully I question your statement regarding the sell back of 1 to 1 or a fraction there-of. I was told a while back that the POCO is supposed to buy it back at a premium. I will have to find out about it here in AZ (eventually).

I have no purpose to go off-grid as I have a reliable POCO connection to use, I don't want/need to jump off of it. However, depending 100% on it doesn't feel very comfortable either as with mother nature doing what she does. It seems silly to not have a dependable back-up.

Generator? Absolutely, but what about a week into a power outage? Gas stations couldn't pump after Catrina or Sandy because of no power and then, the gas supply became an issue so, "Us people" need more than a grid + generator. I'm not a conspiracy or dooms-day theorist however, I do believe in insurance, assurances, CYA and personal responsibility.

I've never known education to be anything but expensive. This goes as well as anything CYA. Lawyers, guns and fights. It all hurts or costs..... or is that redundant? "Neither", you say. "Just chalk it up to education". Round and round it goes.

As far as my joking with Sunking regarding why someone would want to go solar, it seems like an empty question (offense is not intended). Why do lemmings jump off cliffs, why do people run cross-country, why do people do what they do? Obviously it is because they want to. A girl friend of mine lovingly asked me once to join her in the LA Marathon. I responded jokingly, "I'm an American man. We may stand or we may fall, but we never run". Freaked her right out. Eyes got huge. I am laughing now thinking about it. Simply said, "I'm not into running". She was. Total waste of time IMO. She loved it.(shrug)

I do understand Sunking's position and reason for asking. "Solar is not cost effective as well as being cost prohibitive to many".... OK. If so, (as it is) then just say that. The next question then becomes, "If not solar, what do I use to ensure my, my spouse's, my kids power stays on?

I'm sorry for speaking directly. I maybe coming across as an attack and it's truly not my intention just an observation. I also have to confess: I really do like the word smarmy (sp?).

I agree having a backup power plan is the way to go. Like you I do not know if I will be without power for a lot of days due to the threat of hurricanes.

I chose to go with a multitude of backups. I have 2 gas generators (5500 & 1800 watt), 1 LPG generator (3750 watt) and two small solar off grid systems (a 400 watt and an 80 watt). Not one of these items will do the whole job of providing me energy for my house. But each has a specific task to either run a small frig, provide oxygen for a family member, run some lights and fans as well as a small room ac unit for brief times. I also have a fireplace and more than a cord of wood for a winter outage. All of these give me a some security if the grid goes down.

I am not suggesting for you to follow my lead just giving you some details on my systems and an option to think about.