Re: SB: Fwd: Solar Systems/ Costs and options

["Rey Arbolay" <TXH2344@mynra.com>]

All well and good. Try to sell that to John Q. That is the first 
problem of alternative systems. Any new inovation has to be 
accepted by the general public (read paying public) before it can 
be widelly marketed and the price brought dowm (or at the very 
least getting the banks ,yuck, to finance it). Lets take as a 
practical example the computer (fitting is it not?). The computer 
as we know it today was invented as a practical way for the Army 
artillery to calculate trajectories. It remained in the realm of 
the useless for decades until a college drop out (a couple of 
college drop outs actually) decided to improve on a XEROX 
invention and make it user friendly. Add to that the open code 
creation of practical things to do with the computer and voila', 
you have a machine capable of doing a myriad of things at a 
reasonable price.

Until we can do the same for alternative power systems (and please 
do not say the Federal Government should do it, look at the space 
program today and show me were is the improvement) we will not be 
able to get off the oil fix.

So any William Gates or Steven Jobs out there?
(notice I used their full names, they deserve the respect)


---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: NativeSol@aol.com
Date:  Mon, 18 Feb 2002 13:57:47 EST

>
>In a message dated 2/18/02 10:56:09 AM, NativeSol writes:
>
><< >I would give anything to be able to do solar on the property 
we are 
>improving - when I >started figuring the cost, it was going to be 
more money 
>than our house will cost.  >Very Catch-22.  Pat 
>
>After reading a few comments on the high initial investment cost 
of solar...
>I had to throw my 2 cents into the ring.
>
>First, it's much cheaper...less $$$ spent to "kill-a-watt" than 
to make a 
>watt.
>So...all those that envision a very cool solar system that will 
let you tell 
>the 
>Power Co. where to go....start by lowering your needs as much as 
possible.
>
>All this can be done without any change in your present quality 
of life.
>
>There's lot's of info. on this...but if your system will cost 
more than your 
>house; you can do a lot to change your system requirements before 
you 
>actually need the system.  
>And, it's a great payback on your dollars invested. (For all 
those bean 
>counters)
>
>The usual path:
>
>Change to Compact flourescent lamps....now instant-on..3 level 
for floor 
>lamps, etc.
>
>Don't use electricity for heating or cooking if possible/ gas or 
solar water 
>heating
>
>Cut the "phantom loads" down to zero
>    These are all of those items that use power 24/7 even if 
they're turned 
>off.
>    Anything with a wall cube that is warm to the touch
>    All of those lights on high-tech appliances, computers, etc.
>    clocks and timers on T.V.'s, microwaves, etc.
>Put these on a seperate switch or plug strip and turn on, only 
when you need 
>it.
>There was a statistic in Home Power Mag. that phantom Loads in 
the U.S. 
>accounted for the full time power production of 5 power plants.  
I's an awful 
>lot.
>
>When your frig. dies ..buy a new super efficient model..that can 
cut your 
>bill 25% - 50%.
>
>Purchase some of the good Green Plugs that regulate and balance 
the power 
>consumption of large appliances like washers and dryers.
>
>The Goal:  A small family can easily get down to between 5 and 10 
K.W./day use
>That translates to a 1 - 2 K.W. solar system (w/ 6 hours/day 
solar)
>More, if you've got a home business or you're a computer junkie.
>
>So..."Kill" as many watts as possible B4 you start making them.
>
>And, keep in-visioning that solar system.
>
>Buckethead
> >>
>
>
>
 


 
                   

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