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To: Prophet2520
I agree that we shouldn't scoff at alternative energy sources. I actually thought wind was proven to work but that it was too noisy to be practical in congested areas, like where I live. My sense was solar just wasn't that efficient. Do you have any experience in this field?

I looked into solar power for my home. It was expensive, but I considered taking out a home equity loan to pay for it. It would have paid for itself in six years, I think, but then I found out that I needed all kinds of zoning variances from my township and so I never bothered.

40 posted on 11/11/2014 5:39:32 AM PST by old and tired
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To: old and tired

Wind and solar combined is very good, because one tends to produce while the other doesn’t, and they can share the same expensive parts like energy storage and inverters, much of the wiring etc. Wind is actually cheaper than solar if you are in a location with decent wind. Personally, for wind I would probably use http://www.mikeswindmillshop.com/
I have never installed one of their systems, but I like the family business, their approach and the prices. If noise is your concern they are probably not the best option. There are alternative turbine types that are practically noiseless (ie equals background noise of the wind in the trees etc.)

If you are having a contractor install solar, get multiple quotes. For do it yourself I get my panels here. http://sunelec.com/
Solar panels used to be $10 watt, now they are available for less than 70 cents per watt. Once you are a customer you can get special deals. I just got notice on a deal of cosmetically blemished panels for 18 cents per watt. That’s only $1260 for a 7000 watt system!!

I have been into alternative energy for decades, but passive solar is my specialty, not PV(Photovoltaics). PV has only recently become cost effective in my opinion.


41 posted on 11/11/2014 5:57:40 AM PST by Prophet2520
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