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Hello again from S.E. Oklahoma....where the views
are fine but they're not very sustainin'.
The "who's using pv" thread has been great fun and
has predictably enough raised other considerations.
The suggestion that pv users will "go grid" at the
earliest opportunity is especially interesting to me.
I also find the implication that reduction of
waste equals deprivation offensive but that's another deal - one thing at a
time!
When we got this place "back when" we were faced
with the usual dilemna - the most desirable building site was located over a
quarter of a mile from the nearest electric line.
That part of the tract bordering the county road
(and power lines) is a swamp in winter and a dust bowl in summer, and noisy as
you know what year round.
So while we could have gone grid power for cheap in
the first place we did not.
The local utility company estimated that line
extension would cost $5200.00 MOL, payable at three percent interest for I don't
remember how long, this amount to be billed along with monthly usage
bills.
Having already rattled around these hills for
several years without electricity, and being possesed of uncertain incomes, we
decided against that course of action.
A year or two later I located some used pv
panels and got a start. For $1200.00 we now had d.c. lights and a fan or two!
Small potatoes to some folk but a revelation to us!
So bit by bit we've built up the
system......the high point being the addition of an inverter in January of
1997.
But another interesting thing happened in
'97......a new neighbor appeared on the scene and he bore the cost of
line extension - which turned out to run $5645.00.
We could have split the cost with him or even
(heaven forbid!) waited till it was done and then tied on anyway for the cost of
one pole - $150.00 - but again we did not.
The reasons for this decision are varied and are
not limited to a fanatical devotion to renewables.
High local incidence of damaged consumer
electronics from grid lightning strikes, and frequent grid power outages of
varying duration played a part.
So here we are within reach of the grid and
aren't interested in it - and are just as happy as if we had good
sense.
Best wishes to all
Teri Farrow
Pushmataha County Small-Timer's Club
........where do-it-yourself-ers have more
fun
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