Wisconsin
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association will be holding an on-going series of workshops. For more information call or write the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, PO Box 249, Amherst, WI 54406, 715-824-5166.
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Cold Fusion
Although the phenomenon known as cold fusion is no longer being reported in the mainstream media much positive research is still being done. The effort is international in scope, ranging geographically from the USA to Russia and from Europe to the Far East. Net energy generation has been achieved with systems using not only palladium electrodes and deuterium electrolyte, but also with nickel and titanium electrodes, and light and heavy hydrogen in liquid and gaseous states. Results were also reported from such widely varying experiments as the use of proton conducting ceramics to techniques involving gas-plasma discharges.
Experimental Evidence
Analysis of reaction products in many, though not all, of recent experiments seems to indicate that fusion is actually ocurring. The presence of tritium, neutrons, and helium has been confirmed in some experiments, though not in quantities that can account for all the heat produced. In some cases, nuclear transmutation products have been found indicating that some electrolyte or part of the metallic lattice has reacted with the hydrogen. The virtual absence gamma ray emission has been puzzling, although some experiments have reported it.
Theory
Proposed ideas that explain the cold fusion process range from a novel type of "super-chemistry" with secondary nuclear reactions to a new class of primary nuclear reactions. The virtual lack of gamma radiation may be due to the absorption and transmission of reaction energy by the molecular lattice where the reactions take place.
Outlook
The outlook for cold fusion research is good. Many experiments are reproducible given the right precautions. Excess power in the form of heat has been reported up to a value of four kilowatts per cubic centimeter of cathode material. New methods of producing excess heat, such as hydrosonic pumps, are being discovered. An initial temperature differential may be necessary to make some procedures work.
A Caution
Ecological concerns are associated with any type of nuclear fusion. Hydrogen is essential to life, as an element in organic compounds and as a constituent of water. Do we really want to replace the biosphere's hydrogen with helium or other nuclear reaction and transmutation products? I think not! Large-scale use of any fusion technology could irreversibly damage the biosphere. Developing cold fusion is not the path to take. In the long term, it could easily lead to ecological disaster.
Access
Cold Fusion Magazine, 70 Route 202 North, Peterborough, NH 03458 • 603-924-0058 • 800-6778838 • Fax 603-924-8613
Fusion Information Center, Inc, P.O. Box 58639, Salt Lake City, UT 84158 • 801-583-6232 • Fax 801-5836245
Cold Fusion Times, P.O. Box 81335, Wellesley Hills, MA 02181
Solar Pathfinder
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- Letters to Home Power
Birth
A brief note on our recent solar powered home birth. Our daughter, Alice, was born the evening of June 29 at our home in South Hampton, NH. We'd had thunderstorms on and off all afternoon and just after calling the midwife to say "it's time to get over here", a neighbor I had called remarked that his power had been off for 30 minutes. Our PV/battery/inverter power setup and solar hot water have been meeting our needs since the equinox and Noone had been looking out of the windows, so we hadn't even noticed.
Now when someone asks me "How soon will the system pay for itself?" I can say "It already has...". Yours in the sun, James, Jocelyn & Alice Van Bokkelen, South Hampton, NH
Death
It is my sad duty to report that Jordan College Energy Institute in Comstock Park, Michigan is history. While officially closing at the end of the summer, the faculty and equipment have already gone their separate ways, the building is an empty shell... But it went out with a bang, not a whimper! The 1994 Michigan High School ELECTRATHON Competition took place as planned and the Ecoscort, a 1992 Ford Escort converted to a hybrid vehicle, finished fifth in its class in the Saturn/DOE/SAE competition in June.
The Electrathon competition was the largest race yet in the United States with seventeen cars on the starting line with ten of them covering over twenty miles in the allotted hour. The winning car came close to breaking the record of 35.6 miles with more than 34 miles, but had enough battery left that they're using the old saying "wait until next time!"
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Challenge was the second try for the Ecoscort, having had severe problems with a junkyard motorcycle engine last year. This year Kohler was kind enough to give us a 25 horsepower, two cylinder engine that ran great! This car was designed and built by students with mostly off-the-shelf parts. John Sarge was the "prime mover" on this renovation. An eight inch Advanced DC motor gave reasonable acceleration and speed, the Trojan 12 volt batteries provided a 30 mile electric only range. The Kohler provided the long range capability through a free running clutch and a cogged belt drive. The batteries were located in place of the rear seat in a well that projected under the car. In case of an accident, the batteries would depart the car from underneath instead of through the driver's seat.
The car performed very well at the competition, even surprising our team by not giving an excuse for them to open their tool boxes. Very different from last year! There were qualifying runs to be made and inspections, then testing for EV range, acceleration and hybrid range, a road rally through city streets, and a commuter challenge that really put the cars through their paces. After accepting the fifth place trophy and a check at the awards banquet on June 20, Scott Nichols simply got in the car and drove it back to Comstock Park, a distance of some two hundred miles. This was done on the fuel left in the tank from the competition. Rich Libby was the second driver on the team, Jim Keyzer was a technical advisor, Jeff Dailey built a great microprocessor control for the car.
The faculty and the students of JEI are very sad to see the school close. It really was unique, with two and four year degree programs that covered solar, wind, biomass, micro-hydro, and electric vehicles. Every effort was made to allow those students close to graduation to complete their studies. Those that had only begun have no place to go where they can continue, except for a few places that cover a portion of the material. Many of the faculty will try to organize a group of renewable energy enthusiasts in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Life goes on.
The Electrathon competition will continue through a new company I call the Great Lakes Electrathon Association (GLEA). The primary mission of GLEA is the promotion of the Electrathon race as an educational tool for high schools in surrounding states. To accomplish this mission GLEA will provide the organization and expertise to a suitable sponsor. This will include initial contacts with the schools, appropriate literature, an event organizational meeting with all participants, a telephone and fax hotline, newsletters, grading of reports, publicity, and the event itself.
A secondary mission of GLEA is the promotion of Electrathon as a sport for participation by any individual or group. This will entail providing information on construction and design, as well as holding the races. These races, like high school races, will be held in accordance with the rules as published by ELECTRATHON AMERICA.
For further information contact the Great Lakes
Electrathon Association, PO Box 224, Sparta, MI 49345. An SASE is appreciated. Telephone 616-8872744, Fax 616-887-7755. Paul Zellar, 54 W Averill, Sparta, MI 49345
Dear New Zealand
In early 1995 my husband and I will be making a tour of your lovely country. We have lived with a solar electric system for over ten years and enjoy its independence and comforts. We would be happy to sit and chat about our experiences with those who are interested in this lifestyle. Likewise, anyone who is currently using a solar or alternative electric system are of interest to us. If we get to see and talk with you about your system, we will report back to Home Power central about your doings! If Intercity travels thru your area — it's likely we will be there. Discussing solar and your interesting country over a pint or cup of coffee would be for us a wonderful way to spend evenings. If you'd like that too, please write to us at the below address and we will let you know when we will be in your area. Katcha & Bill Sanderson, 20295 Panoche Rd, Paicines, CA 95043 USA
Problem Relay
HP readers who are interested in building the seriesparallel controller for small EVs (HP#39) and the addon dynamic braking feature (HP#42) will want to shop around for a better relay (K1 in both circuits) to use than the one I specified (RL 8951, from C&H Sales). Since then, the contacts of two out of five of these relays that I've installed (in three applications) have failed (fused) under high load conditions. Upon inspection, it is clear that there is a marked variation, between units, in the alignment of the contact surfaces. The misaligned closure cannot handle the current, heats up, and eventually fuses. This may blow the battery fuses or cause the wire leading to the common terminal to open. This open wire is a RESULT of the fused contacts, not the CAUSE of the contact's failure. I can recommend no current substitute. In both failures, the applications used greater than a drive of one-half horsepower or higher. If anybody knows of a relay or small contactor (12V coil) with contact ratings of 40-60A for less than $50, please let me know and share it with other HP readers too. Michael Hackleman
Pumping — Slightly Yankee
I read the water pumping article (issue #40) with interest. Here is another street on Windy's road map, slightly Yankee, slightly lower tech, and slightly cheaper, if your water is in easy reach (less than 25 feet below the surface).
Trundle off to your local conventional pump peddler/installer and scrounge a shallow well pump
"l THlMKTHE witft> generator BLADE
"l THlMKTHE witft> generator BLADE
with a burned motor (this should be free). Have the armature turned off the shaft, and voila... you have a pedestal pump. Put on an appropriate pulley, belt, and motor of your choice (mine was 1/3 hp 120 VDC to replace the 3/4 hp 120 vac original) and start pumping. This makes standard 30-60 psi household water. By putting an appropriate capacitor parallel to the switch to stop the arcing, you can use the store bought pressure switch. Mine has worked for 16 years with one new switch, capacitor, and set of brushes. Ted Sanford, Sanford Farms, Exeter, RI 02822
More KTU (Kitty Thermal Unit) Input
I noted with interest the discussions of KTU's (kitty thermal units) in your magazine.
The cats around here easily and consistently absorb much more thermal energy than they radiate or otherwise give off. I have also observed that they tend to increase in mass over time. I suspect some sort of energy to mass transformation. Yours in science, J McDonald, Bozeman, MT
The consensus here is that the energy to mass conversion starts with vibrating of the throat, commonly called purring. The purring expedites the absorption of emotional energy which greatly accelerates the energy to mass conversion. Due to the energy to mass conversion we now have a large sample to study. In our experiments, at least a part of the energy, measured in kitty thermal unit (KTUs), is radiated back to the homo sapiens lap. We have been studying this phenomenon for many years and appreciate all input. Karen Perez
A New Love
You are doing good. Every issue is great.
Today I found a new love, Adobe Journal, PO Box 7725, Albuquerque, NM 87194, Phone 505-243-7801. It is a next door cousin to Home Power that I had not known before. Good information on building good homes from cheap materials. Adobe construction been with us for over 11,000 years: the Great Wall of China. Adobe Journal should be a 2nd helper to all Home Power readers. Just had to let you know of another good read. M C Durand, Lydia, LA
Ah! synchronicity! We received our first copy of Adobe Journal about a month ago. Judging from the copy we received it looks like good'un. Their mission statement says their emphasis is modern earth design and building techniques, passive solar heating & cooling, research & testing in foreign countries, to the preservation of historic earthen buildings. The quarterly magazine's format is 11 x 14", averaging 44 pages per issue, $17.50 per year. Karen Perez
Grid Intertie Billing
It's always a red letter day when my issue of HP arrives. Thank you for a great magazine. I'm writing regarding the Loweburg & Schultze article on utility intertied independent power providers, HP #42.
I currently own a 4kW windmill intertied with New York State Electric and Gas. In addition, I'm very familiar with a 3Kw hydro site connected to Niagara Mohawk. Both of these installations work on the two meter system. Net billing for me is a subject of dreams and not reality at this time.
The IPP article has a sentence that is particularly interesting to me: "It is a two meter system where you buy all your electricity at the going rate and sell all the output of your renewable sources at the rate that the utility claims it cost them to produce power, usually around 2 cents per kilowatt-hour." The words "buy all electricity" and "sell all the output" are very different from my experience. With both utility intertie systems I'm familiar with, the electricity generated by the renewable source is used by the owner first. Only when the renewable source generates more than the owner is using does the utility buy the electricity. This principle is easily seen by watching the two meters. When the wind is calm, the billing meter turns and I buy the electricity I use. As the wind speed increases, the billing meter turns slower until it stops. The credit meter will then turn if the amount of electricity generated by the windmill is greater than the amount of electricity the house is using. The electricity generated by the wind is divided between the amount that is used by our home and the amount sold to the utility. During 1993, 65% of the electricity generated by the windmill was used by our house, while 35% was sold to NYSEG. This is very different than the two meter system mentioned in the HP article where you buy all your electricity at the going rate and sell all output.
I realize that the methods and accounting systems used by utilities to handle the small IPP vary a great deal from state to state. In addition, there is no question that the two meter system is the least desirable system from the small IPP standpoint. However, I feel there is no question that the two meter system I'm working with is much better than the "buy all, sell all" system described in the article.
I would be interested to know: how many states do net billing? It sure would be great if New York could be added to the list. Keep up the great work on your magazine. Carl Berger, East Aurora, NY
You are quite up to speed on utility buy-back rates. While the "sell all/buy all" policy that Bob-O and Don describe does apply in some instances, these are almost exclusively very large IPPs that are working under power production contracts with a utility. By large, I mean in the multi-megawatt range. This is by no means any residential installation that I am aware of.
We have several hundred customers across the United States with wind systems that are connected to the utility. None of these folks are on a "buy all/sell all" contract. The two meter system that is in place in your home is the most common utility buy-back arrangement in the country. It is a simple system that allows you to use your cheap kilowatts instead of the utility's expensive kilowatts. (By the way, you did a wonderful job helping us visualize how your metering works. Why don't you consider writing an article on your system and submitting it to HP.)
When viewed in this manner, your wind system can be considered a piece of demand-side management equipment in that it reduces the load or demand that your residence places on the utility. If you were to throw out an old power-hungry refrigerator and install a high efficiency model to reduce your kilowatt hour consumption from the utility,the utility would have no right to penalize you by charging you a higher rate.
You are merely reducing your demand. The same logic can be applied to a grid-connected RE system. I have successfully used this argument with any number of utilities in negotiating buy-back rates for some of our customers. As long as you are not a net producer but only reduce your demand on the grid, the utilities can usually be persuaded to buy into the idea.
There are only a handful of states that currently offer net billing, the arrangement where the utility buys back your kilowatt hours at the same price that you pay the utility for them (i.e., the retail rate). These states include Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin, plus one California utility, Southern California Edison. Recently, New Hampshire was added to the list due to over a year's worth of work by Home Power readers Tim and Jill Meeh. If you are willing to persevere and work for the cause, New York could also be added to the list. I am sure that any number of us out here working for the cause of small IPPs would be willing to assist you in your effort. Mick Sagrillo
Anybody out there
In an article on an unglazed transpired collector from Popular Science Magazine, February 1994, which claims solar air heating efficiencies of up to 75%. Air is drawn through 1/32" diameter holes in a black perforated aluminum panel. Any readers out there know other details for home construction — such as hole spacing, plenum depth, etc.? Would be nice to see a homebrew article on this in Home Power.
On the list of phantom loads, my Trace 812 inverter draws 10 mA when turned off. Do other, larger inverters have larger phantom loads? Ernie Soya, KA7VIR, 44 Nota Rd, Wauconda, WA 98859
Dealer in the Philippines?
Currently, I am a merchant marine working for the US government with retirement plans for early next year from this adventure. My choice to slow down to sixty hours a work week is Luzon in the Philippines with my wife and five children. The utility problems have escalated since the exodus of the Marcos regime.
Therefore I would like to choose an independent power system consisting of PVs, wind generator, batteries, and back-up to a system of 110/230 through an inverter rated at 2600 watts continuous service with expansion option.
This I feel will satisfy my requirements for housing, citrus and vegetables on our two hectares.
To date; I have not been able to locate a dealer in the area of Zambales or San Fernando where we have easy access. Manila would even be acceptable for the shopping and assistance to set-up our system. We are just one hour from the Subic "Duty Free Zone".
I would like to hear from dealers or exporters to make this wish a reality. The question is where and how? Jack W Doyle, Cargo Engineer, USNS W.S. Diehl TAO-193, c/o FPO AP San Francisco, CA 96663
Solar Hams
Your magazine is great but a little advanced for me. Please more simple articles or "do-it-yourself" for beginners. Please run articles on running amateur radio equipment on solar — what to buy, how to hook it up for HF, packet and 2 meters. Would like a list of hams off the grid that will share their knowledge & help one another. An article on RV operation powering ham gear would be great! Kay KD5DU, 1321 Doncaster St, Irving, TX 75062
RE/Utility Survey Comments
The following are comments from the Renewable Energy Survey; HP42, page 16. For the current survey results please see page 16 of this issue.
Supplement existing utilities with solar installed at home site and large scale solar at utilities. Build no more nukes, coal or gas burning plants. Phoenix, AZ
To use a solar powered house one must have a basic sense of physics & common sense. Unfortunately many of our relatives & friends can not be relied upon to run our house or even follow directions. A certain logical way of thinking, unrelated to education level, seems to be required to take control of your own systems. This I fear, is the limitation to these systems. Winthrop, WA
Utilities are not the enemy, in fact they deliver dependable power at generally a reasonable rate. Red tape is our enemy to progress, tying the hands of the creative and productive. Mount Shasta, CA
Economies of scale mitigate for larger renewable energy plants. Equipment installed at some central point is much cheaper to maintain. We need to put much more pressure on the utilities to develop renewable energy sources. The future for individual homes is passive solar design for heating & cooling. Until it (RE) reaches the just plug it together stage, it will not have significant impact on electric demand nor be of interest to homeowners. Robbinsville, NC
Can't least cost planning concepts be applied by CPUC to utility RE programs & system design? This could forestall jumbo systems & increase zeitgeist knowledge levels on efficient appliances & lifestyles. Eugene, OR
We are delighted with the performance of our ten panel independent (off the grid) system installed over a decade ago. The weakest link had been the L-16 batteries (which were perfectly fine 90% of the time. We have upgraded to NW Energy Storage Lineage 2000. The ideal system, of course, would be an equitable grid connection. We produce more power than we can use from March to October and could use some from November to February. This challenge of sharing resources parallels many other similar challenges as our society makes the difficult transition from constitutionally protected individual rights to constitutionally enhanced interdependence with protection of natural and social resources. Rainier, WA
While we prefer the fourth alternative (scenario) most people would not (or cannot) mess with it. Any renewable energy is better than non-renewable energy. Libby, MT
Ten years ago everyone into RE wanted the utility company's to get into RE so prices would come down and public acceptance would open. Today, you and others are paranoid about ID Power & others selling RE. If you think the chotie world is manageable look at Idaho Power's last quarterly report on their PV endeavour. Swandale, ID
While I am a proponent of renewable energy, I think the utility does an excellent job. They have numerous programs to enhance the environment (free energy audits, free fluorescent bulbs, cash rebates for recyclable a/c's & frigs, cash rebates for certain energy efficient products). Silver Spring, MD
Any renewable energy initiatives at utilities are appreciated, but I don't see any here in the Northeast. And with Carrizo Plains being dismantled, what does that say for the West? Conservation is the byword, but again the incentives came from the State of New York for the power companies to (1) do education (2) offer cheap compact fluorescents & water-saving devices & wrap the hot water heater and (3) do fuel efficiency tests for furnaces & house energy evaluations. So, where's the reality in the two left-handed (grid-owned) scenarios above? Georgetown, NY
Idaho Power solar plan is highly impractical. They make an installation estimate (assume $10K) and want 5% up front ($500) with 1.2% monthly payments ($120). The user never owns the system or ever pays it off. Idaho Power maintains (winter in mountains and emergencies???) system on a five year contract, renewable at their discretion. This doesn't hold a candle to a user owned (and financed) system. Why waste their time? New Plymouth, ID
There is no room for monopolies in a Democratic society. All utilities should be "not for profit organizations", with elected representatives, elected by the people they serve. IPPs should, by law, receive the same price for their power as the local utilities. Orlando, FL
Free market will see utilities in the RE business. They should receive no special governmental support! They can compete like everyone else. Communities would benefit from utility RE projects local to the community, such as the recently completed project in Winchendon, MA where roof panels on many houses provided a "pool" of RE for the group of houses. Most house owners would not take the initiative to operate RE. Therefore, for the ecological good of all, the utilities should be encouraged to do community RE development. Acworth, NH
It seems obvious to me that with so many homes already connected to the power grid & the fact that batteries are often the most dangerous & environmentally hazardous part of RE systems that the most good we can do is to push utilities to purchase excess power from those of us willing to provide it. This way I could (or anyone could) for instance, recharge an electric vehicle at night with energy essentially produced by me in the day with solar panels. I realize that's not what is actually happening, but if one produces more energy than they consume, the net effect to the planet should be about the same. I eventually envision the whole country connected via local utilities who no longer produce any power, just switch it from areas of the country producing more than they need to areas of the country who need it for one reason or another. Stowe, VT
Any solar use is good. Boulder, CO
You are off base with your appraisal of Edison & solar sales/lease. The majority of the public is not like us. They buy from Edison but they have no idea they could buy from you (or could not afford to buy up-front). This is a debt, plastic society & they'll go for Edisons sales because it's accepted (ie. loans) on payments & because they trust big companies. Big Bear City, CA
Any form of utility conversion to renewable energy should be welcomed by the public as a step in the right direction. Zapata, TX
We have two 25 Kw wind turbines, 6 Kw of PVs and 15 Kw CHP. We sell 50 MwHs per year to the utility raising $9000. (Grid intertie system receiving 150 per KwH for their RE produced power. The retail rate is 100 per KwH.) Great Britain
I believe that we must always preserve the option for owners to do it themselves. It is the only way to keep things honest. Craftbury Common, VT
If we are going to make a significant impact on the planet, RE needs to get into grid-land. Like the scenario of PV on every flat surface or south facing roof in the country, but I see technological, political, economic hurdles. 1) Utility intertie inverters need to be perfected & standardized 2) Political support for this idea must be rallied to apply pressure to the mega$ utility industry (ex: CARB EV Initiative). 3) We need to help the utilities figure out how they can make money at this. (Ex: demand-side management programs that work.) Oakland, CA
Other utility involved options: Better—Utility installs & maintains system at my site, we purchase system over time. Best—They just finance & install system in rural subdivisions like mine, I maintain it. Instead of million dollar power line extensions, welfare electricity. Fairbanks, AK
At one extreme — utility company owns & charges for everything, there is no independence, everyone suffers from blackouts/brownouts. At the other extreme — completely independent RE, no grid — reliability is again a problem. Some sort of grid is needed so people/businesses can share power. I tend to favor utility-controlled grid, because they can employ professional engineers, high-tech equipment, etc. Which "Joe do-it-yourself" won't have — high efficiency means lower cost. The best is somewhere in the middle. We need more local RE sources, but also to use cleaner (non-polluting) utility-size sources. Utilla, MI
CVPS (Central Vermont Public Service) charges a monthly line maintenance fee ($9/Mo). The town of Milton encourages alternative energy development for residential use. The town does not assess any tax for installed alternative energy devices. I am hoping to install PVs and a small windmill to provide my energy needs. Have written CVPS about utility intertie and have little response. CVPS just went through a load of bad press about not supporting energy conservation in the state. I think the Rural Electrification Act should be modified so utilities pay and must ask permission to use people's property for power transmission. If they profit from use they should pay for access and not have dominion. Milton, VT
An interconnected system eliminates batteries and levels power production. The power company avoids purchasing new equipment if the IPP owns the AE production system. The only downside is paying a monthly bill to be connected. Balance this against battery cost and maintenance. Having lived off grid for
12 years I've learned that conservation is definitely the key. Hot Springs, AR
All the above (scenarios) have a place in the future depending upon people's situations. People should own their own batteryless renewable energy system on their house. The weak point in renewable energy systems is the storage. It is expensive, short-lived, toxic and dangerous. A renewable energy future with a lead-acid battery bank or NiCd battery bank in every household is not a good one. This is a good function for the utility — to distribute electricity from where it is available to where it is needed. Most households would be batteryless and run their meters both ways. They would all have solar panels and so would the utilities to fill in the gap. Mendocino, CA
Off-grid power systems will always be a miniscule percentage of users in the US. If we want renewables to make an environmental impact, the utilities will have to utilize them, either centrally, or likely near the fringe of its grid. The utilities are experimenting with off-grid systems, but I don't think it will go very far, it just won't pay for them. The environmental problem for off-grid systems is batteries (YUK) & here in the NW, engine generators, which pollute far more than any central power plant for the power produced. Olympia, WA
95% of the American public will never want to have a PV system installed at their house unless the payback period was 2-3 years or less and there were no batteries and/or maintenance. Most people are not interested in making their own power! Though they complain about their electric bill now, they are not wiling to spend $20 on a compact fluorescent bulb, with a payback of just a few years. The idea of PVs on everyone's home will work only if we can do something like PV singles at a maximum cost of 100% more than conventional shingles and there are no batteries.PVs will have to be installed at large "farms". I feel, though, that it is critical that people who wish to have their own system may do so at a reasonable cost. I see these "farms" as 50% to 5% the size of existing plants. Taylorsville, CA
The good thing about interconnecting with the utility is that they act like a huge battery and my neighbors buy my excess power (from the utility). The bad thing is that they can be a pain in the butt. It took 1 1/2 years of negotiation to sign a contract including filing with PUC, opening a docket there, hearings, waiting for decisions, arguing about decisions based on ignorance. We are now almost one year into trying to resist new protective relay requirements which they are trying to lay on us after we have our "authorization to generate". Canterbury, NH
Utility-scale RE is the only realistic solution for densely populated areas, mostly because people are too lazy/indifferent to do it on their own. The profit motive will prevent it from being any cheaper than nonrenewable sources. (Our RE highlights — surviving two hurricanes with power while the rest of Kauai was squirming for months and in 1991 a flood carried away our box of Carrizo panels we had just received but hadn't installed. We found them 1/2 mile away buried under debris — installed them & they still work perfectly!) Anahola, HI
In the far North spring, summer & fall provide a rich solar & wind energy flow. Winter time power production currently requires the use of fossil fuels & utility scale production is more efficient than individual gen/set production & battery storage. The cost of powerline distribution offsets this, however. Healy, AK
Our (utility) power is interrupted more than five minutes at least once every two weeks, and out more than one hour at least once a month. Van Nuys, CA
Selling power to utility OK, but lousy price paid by them — 10% of what we pay them. Greenwood, NH
We want no part of any utility connection in any way shape or form. Sanger, TX
Renewable energy is the right path for many reasons, but especially because it teaches us what power really is and how to conserve it. We all need to know this! Browerville, MN
I do see where it could be a viable business to have equipment owned and maintained in a lease/service-fee payment way, but to award an "authorized " monopoly with the smoke screen of "professionalism" to keep the owner from doing it by themself is Not acceptable. Responsibility is the best system. Paicines, CA
There are over 2000 barges of coal that pass through the lock at Dubuque every year. The maintenance of the Mississippi (River) is controlled & paid for by the Army Corps of Engineers (Tax $). It's another hidden cost savings for the utilities. When the utilities loose all their tax breaks & we get to play on a level field, we will have our fair share of the energy market. Dubuque, IA
I see grid-intertie coming. The politics now favors the big utilities. They have the money and a unified policy making structure. They will try to use this advantage to write the rules to favor them. Until I see laws which create a level playing field (net payment, single meter systems) I will stay independent. Bandon, OR
The only thing I miss about gird power is not having a freezer & with enough money I'll get one some day to run of my system—would never go back to grid power. Whitehall, MT
We need lower cost solar to hydrogen. Richmond, CA
Since I paid my last power bill in 1972 I have trouble relating to anything but self-reliance for electrical energy consumption. I know that not everyone wants to live at the energy consumption level that I do (.726 kiloWatt hours per day), but I'm very comfortable and can't image living any other way. I think that every household should evaluate power needs by a "begin-from-zero" plan. Instead of saying "Where can I conserve?" It should be..."What do I need?" I suspect that most of us do not want to rely on the good will of the utility companies to meet our needs. Mosier, OR
Up front capitol costs & long term financing is necessary for people to be able to jump into RE. Low interest loans with 10 year pay backs secured by the potential KWH the system can produce plus the value of the equipment. Randolph, VT
We have never been on the grid at this location. Counting everything we have installed, we still have not spent the amount of dollars they (public utilities) wanted to just bring power to our property. We continually add to our system and are very proud/happy with what we have! We feel we live very "modern" and comfortably. We are not dead yet, and in saying that would like to say we would never rejoin "The Grid". If forced to do so, I'm sure it would be kicking and screaming. Roy, WA
Centralized control stifles innovation, encourages waste. Nahcotta, WA
If we can't get a lot more people interested within 5 years the Feds will have the individual regulated out of buying solar equipment. Center Ridge, AR
Decentralized power generation is the future — period. One day I WILL be off-the-grid! Austin, TX
We need to own our own equipment and live within our own energy production "means". Not living within our means in any area gives others power over us whether it be power companies, banks, or governments. Grangeville, ID
It seems to us that the utilities ought to be servants of the people. If they are allowed to exist as monopolies, no profit should be allowed. Spencer, OK
Power lines are ugly, dangerous in some places (neighborhoods), lose tremendous amounts of power through transmission losses and radiate strong fields. These are my main objections to interfacing with utilities. There are, of course, many other valid objections to the existence of utilities — period! Bend, OR
The home buying consumer needs major re-education in energy efficiency, construction techniques and choice of power sources. Cedar City, UT
Centralization is inefficient & keeps control in corporate hands. Unstable. Utility equipment on home owners property invites corporate "strangers" onto a homestead. Ultimately, ownership should be by homeowner. Townsend, VT
Centralization of power (electric or politic) is inefficient, dangerous and inhibits our taking responsibility for our own well-being. The system designed from the roots (grass) suits the users needs, not the needs of the big organization. Anything that encourages people to take responsibility for their our basic needs in this society is a plug. Quincy, CA
Hopefully we will be completely off the grid in another year, but not in this location in inner-city Portland, OR. We our fed-up with the BS that our utilities put out regarding "jobs", "growth", and the "real cost" of hydro and nuclear power. Our consumption is high now. We have an electric stove, water heater and inefficient refrigeration. We use compact fluorescent lights everywhere. The PV panels run the computer, a couple of lights and eventually the stereo. Portland, OR
Most people & businesses are in cities. Most of these will not or would not be capable of generating electricity. Most people & businesses in this country are tied to the utility & capable of generating electricity. The conclusion is inescapable; private people & businesses are capable of generating most of the electrical power needed in the "Lower 48". (All your own & excess!) If the utilities would help instead of hinder means to this end the overall lasting benefits are not possible to be seen or known at this time — only dreamed of. It's time to take another "Giant step for mankind!" Dillard, OR
We originally installed solar as a "back-up" to the grid dependence. We have learned to live with "sun power" and only wish we had enough panels & batteries to be completely independent — we would love to be in a position to sell power to Puget Power! Yelm, WA
PNM (Public Service of New Mexico) presents so many hassles that we're getting more batteries rather than attempting an intertie. Albuquerque, MN
After 18 years of producing our own power with zero blackouts, why would we want to affiliate with grid or distribution companys who support nuclear reactors. Lyons Falls, NY
In 12 years on solar we have never has a power outage, we have a 30 acre ranch a mile and a half from the nearest paved road or electric pole and want to keep it that way. Perris, CA
Our independence may come easier when we all become totally responsible for our actions. Columbia Falls, MT
The government should not subsidize renewable energy or any grid energy. To me renewable energy is not an environmental issue, it's an American sovereign issue, by not depending on foreign governments for our energy to run our nation. Salt Lake City, UT
We are completely off-grid and self-sufficient with no powerlines run to our property. Our system is very reliable and we have had no equipment malfunctions since installation. During recent storms (lightning, snow/ice, etc.) our neighbors have been without power for periods as long as one to two weeks—we had all the power we needed. Cleveland, SC
Hydro power is seasonal. In a years time I buy approximately $300.00 of electricity from PP&L and they pay me approximately $10,000. I cannot think of any other use for this excess power. They are a good customer, pay well, and my renewable power is offsetting some of the nuclear and coal power on-grid. Pillow, PA
We were forced by the bank to hook-up to the grid before they'd loan us money to build our dome home. High Springs, FL
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