September 3, 2010
On and Off the Grid |
Renewable-energy author, lecturer and consultant Dan Fink has lived off the grid, 11 miles from the nearest power line, since 1991. He is co-author of the book "Homebrew Wind Power," and his work appears frequently in renewable-energy magazines such as Home Power and Back Home. You can email him at dan.fink@sunpluggers.com.
Columns
There are many recent developments in the PV industry that have greatly reduced the installed price of systems. The interesting thing is that many of these innovations don't involve those actual wafers of silicon sitting out in the sun at all.
There's no need to sign up for expensive classes just to learn the basics. There's very likely a renewable energy fair somewhere near your area every year, where you can learn at your own pace, ask questions of the experts and enjoy some local food, brew and live music at a bargain price.
High wind events that homeowners notice don't have much bearing on how much energy a wind turbine can produce to reduce your utility bill. In most cases, solar electricity is a far better option to generate electricity. It's a case of apples versus oranges.
Although solar photovoltaics are drawing most of the media's attention, there are some easier ways to use the sun's energy, such as drying your laundry on a clothesline outdoors. Columnist Dan Fink takes a look at some of them.
In remote and beautiful British Columbia, solar electricity promises to provide one answer to a fishing lodge's electricity problems. It allows modern conveniences in the heart of unspoiled nature.
Tesla's Roadster shows that electric-car technology is on the fast track. Dan Fink takes one for a test drive: "I'm fairly sure I heard some snapping noises too, as the heads of drivers, bicyclists, hikers and deer spun at the passing of this mean-looking, nearly silent machine."
The green-tech world is abuzz about the Bloom Energy Server, a new electrical fuel-cell design unveiled last week with a star-studded press conference and "60 Minutes" television segment.
For any energy source, there is a maximum point where it simply can't get any better, and that's determined by the laws of physics. For solar energy, that point is 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt, or kw) per square meter of collector surface area that's pointed directly at the sun.
Deer and moose browse silently in the meadow by an idyllic, peaceful
road. And then sometimes you're wading knee-deep in water. By making the choice to move off the grid, you have just taken on the jobs of a whole bunch of folks who were there to solve your problems.
Have you ever wondered just how much free solar energy hits you each day, and how much that energy would be worth? It's easy to find out.
How the university guaranteed its electric rates will remain low for years to come.
Don't know what these terms mean? As a solar consumer, maybe you should.
Well, yes and no. Mostly no. The problem comes with energy storage
when there is no sun.
