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To: afraidfortherepublic
I had never really looked into a solar system, but after I did and got a quote, it was better than wind power was going to be for us, and the windmill was quite large. My biggest requirement for the solar system was that I did not want a large array of panels on the house, nor did I want them taking up a large amount of the yard.

They were able to devise a system that will be on the roof of our large equipment shed, and they will be on the back side ... not even visible from the house or the street. They will be visible from the interstate though.

I can't imagine why someone would sabotage a neighbor's system. That is ridiculous and I would have pursued legal avenues before I took down the windmills. That is a shame.

42 posted on 12/02/2011 2:49:42 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

There may have been more to the situation (disabled windmill) than a disgruntled neighbor. I think both of these people are a little bit nuts. But, my point is the farm being subject to the easy interruption of service.

Your idea of having the solar panels on the shed roofs is a great idea. My question has always been, what does a solar panel do to your roof? Wear and tear? I’ve never had that question answered. I’d think that there would (or could) be some damage with snow and high winds (like we are subject to). My husband isn’t interested, and nobody wants to answer my question seriously.

Around here, I’m starting to see commercial applications on the ground — a raised panel set at an angle. Takes up a lot of space and doesn’t look too pretty.

I would love to add a new garage to our property. I’d love to consider a panel on the roof of the garage to heat the interior for a workshop. It’s probably a dream that will never come true. But, you always have to have a dream, or you just stop living. Right?


45 posted on 12/02/2011 3:00:40 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Re windmills.

My husband (the engineer) has never been very much in favor of them, despite having made them at one of the companies where he worked about 30 years ago. They need a lot of maintenance. The large ones need to have all the tools hauled up a circular flight of stairs inside the column. The home sized ones could be serviced with a cherry picker, if the mill isn’t too tall. When you drive by the commercial Wind Farms and look closely (like in Southern CA) half the windmills are still because they are not working for one reason, or another.


46 posted on 12/02/2011 3:06:30 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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