Excellent commentary from you both. Thanks. Here’s something that can be done. It’s one way for people who have the desire to learn and work to be re-enfranchised. Everyone, work more for yourselves.
Low-tech rednecks and others around the world have been joining neo-hippie “permaculture” folks on projects for a long time. I’ve worked with a few. There are some very promising energy designs that can be modified to pass regulations or go unnoticed where needed. Such systems can radically lower costs and radically cut down cash flows to the political/regulator class (major investors, often by way of employees’ associations in government-connected, conventional, expensive energy interests along with bonds, etc.).
Rocket Stove Mass Heater
http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp
$2K Solar Space + Water Heating — One Simple DIY System
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/DHWplusSpace/Main.htm
Ingenuity and “innovation” do not always come from those approved, degreed, licensed or certified by facist/communist leadership. It has often come from the bottom without proper credit to those doing the work and discovering (includes many in small business). 40 years of further stepping on the ingenuity base has been a foolish direction to take. Some of the “permaculture” folks even call themelves “dirtbags” and the like in mockeries of our sedentary, regulating masters.
We are the “sustainable” “permaculture”—not those who despise our existence and appear to be trying to gradually outlaw all real work and exterminate us. Have fun. Build, and enjoy the slide.
I’d seen the rocket stove mass heater earlier this year. The old Roman baths had their stove pipes built in a series right into the walls to heat up their rooms. I bet you could do that with a few walls and regain all that heat loss going up your flue.
I will check out the solar later. Thanks and I love FR for this very reason. Good debates by good thinkers make for good learning. Take care.