[XCSSA] Solar and Green events in SA

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

On Monday 14 May 2007 16:36, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> > I would love to hear something like this.. AFAICT, going to a full
> > blown PV
> > system with batteries and inverters (or an "off grid" setup) just
> > isn't
> > feasible in a region where power is ~6cents/kWh.  CA.. or NE sure..
> > but not
> > here.
>
> It's still feasible if you have enough money to burn.  You just have
> to pay more in the forseeable future.  The main upside is in your
> conscience.  

Ahh.. kind of like the "Prius Effect" eh Charles.. ;)


> Also, you might be better prepared for an uncertain 
> future.  In some cities like Austin they give a generous subsidy
> (something like 50%), assuming grid connection.

I would love to see such subsidies...
If nothing else... I would like to hear about THAT issue of PV in SA.




> Alternatively, you can pay a little bit extra (currently 3 cents per
> kWh) for Windtricity, and know that your electricity is coming from
> wind power.

Yeah.. I have a REAL problem with that.  Seems like a big marketing sham 
that's playing on the conscience of people who give a damn.. to pay for the 
creation of wind systems that one never gets any financial benefit from 
(well.. except for the people SELLING that power).

What's up with that. 
When I first heard about it.. it sounded like a type of bond system... a kind 
of "buy into Windtricity, and buy into our future".. where if I bought into 
building out the infrastructure, that I would get a lower price (in the 
future) once we're all wind powered.. But in reality.. I'm just lining some 
banker and marketer's pockets with the $$ of my good conscience.  Not cool..



> I've been a Windtricity subscriber since the beginning, 
> but recently upped my participation to nearly 100% of my electric
> usage (depending on A/C usage).  With this approach, there is no long
> term contract or maintenance responsibility on your part, and you can
> change your participation at any time.  One phone call and you're
> in. 
>
> You can also buy "Renewable Energy Credits" from various 
> companies nationwide, which have the same effect.

As my Grandma used to say.. "If you can't eat it, wear it or spend it, you 
don't need it..."  heh...

Really though, I spoke with a high power engineer recently about this.. and it 
all seems to be a shell game between the state, west texas power big business 
and CPS.  Although I am always open to hear more about it... at this stage.. 
the very idea of my subsidizing the building out of wind powered 
infrastructure because the state it too cheap to...with nothing but a "clean 
conscience" to show for it.. wreaks of marketing and "green fad" 
profiteering.. No?


>  Then you are
> subsidizing wind power somewhere in the country, even if not in your
> own hometown. 

"Somewhere"... That doesn't exactly sound "accountable" to me Charles.



> Going PV with grid connection is probably the most popular approach
> in areas where people have a grid.  Far cheaper and easier and just
> as good, if not better, for the planet.

Yeah.. and it "just makes sense" too.. the idea of 
	"A PV panel atop every household"

and getting my electric bill cut by 40-60% each month just sounds much more 
feasible (and financially right minded) than does paying some third party 
company to send my extra $$ every month to promise to build out some 
infrastructure "somewhere".

I can touch my PV Solar panel.. I can't even reach a human when 
calling "windtricity'.


> I met one guy who lives in a remote area and uses the battery
> approach.  IIRC, this guy runs everything off a 80W (!) PV with
> battery.  He doesn't use 115V lights anymore.  He uses only 1 12V
> light at a time.  He has a gas powered refrigerator and no A/C.

Yeah.. that's not feasible for most people...  2-4kWh are more like it.


> can save money while you're saving the planet.  For example, higher
> efficiency A/C systems, programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent
> bulbs, etc.

FYI.. Those new compact fluorescents contain gaseous mercury... Highly toxic.  
Trade CO2 for heavy metals leeching from landfills. ;)



> One friend of mine thinks he's going to get a big efficiency gain
> from replacing the power supply in his computer with a more efficient
> version (which he just ordered).  He thinks that because his computer
> now has a "500W" power supply it is constantly using 500W whether the
> computer needs that much power or not.  I do not think even the OEM
> supplies are that bad.

Haha.. that's just ignorance..  

Tweeks


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