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To: MsLady
In your case (very little annual sunlight), I wouldn't consider solar as my primary energy source for a SHTF scenario. Perhaps wood or oil storage (depending upon availability) will meet your needs for heating, cooking and even electrical generation by using a small steam turbine or engine.

That said, a few solar panels, windmill, batteries, and inverter would provide you with enough dependable electrical power for low wattage lighting, radio, laptop, wireless Internet, small TV and etc.l

I have a 3KW solar panel grid-tie system. On a sunny day, it generates well over 15KW. Our 2,700SF deep South home is all electric and for the last two months, we've had to buy roughly 2,000 KW a month from the electric company. Last year, without the solar system, we had two buy twice that amount of power.

The system actually saves about 1/4 but has caused us to become more energy aware and that adds about another 1/4 for 1/2 cost of last year.

Without the government rebates (state 50% and fed 35%) it wouldn't have been worth it. Very glad we've had it installed though since costs of electricity have increased over 10% this year alone.

You're doing the right thing by becoming self-sufficent!

36 posted on 02/08/2011 8:36:29 AM PST by Errant
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To: Errant

Thank you!!!! We got a big rebate for putting in the windmill too. We are going for the battier back up next. My brother in law who owns a recycling center just got 25 batteries in from the state that they used for back up when the power went out. We can get them dirt cheap all we need is a good converter. He has one that came with the batteries but, it’s over 10 years old.


47 posted on 02/08/2011 8:49:33 AM PST by MsLady (If you died tonight, where would you go? Salvation, don't leave earth without it!)
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To: Errant
I have a 3KW solar panel grid-tie system. On a sunny day, it generates well over 15KWhrs
120 posted on 02/09/2011 12:38:36 PM PST by SeeSac
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