11-04-2013, 03:17 AM
HELCO is a for-profit enterprise, not to be confused with a "public utility".
Grid power at the "fully-permitted residential rate" is roughly 42-43c/KWh.
A "temporary" connection pays something like $75/mo (for the privilege of being connected to The Grid) PLUS usage.
No matter which way you run the numbers, a small off-grid system will pay for itself within a few years, even as the naysayers insist that "it's expensive" and "maintenance is hard" and "storage is a big problem" ... but I'm saving $200-300/month for at least another 20 years.
Look, people: IT'S UP TO YOU, don't wait around for the government (or HELCO, or whomever) to come to your rescue -- they're not.
Grid power at the "fully-permitted residential rate" is roughly 42-43c/KWh.
A "temporary" connection pays something like $75/mo (for the privilege of being connected to The Grid) PLUS usage.
No matter which way you run the numbers, a small off-grid system will pay for itself within a few years, even as the naysayers insist that "it's expensive" and "maintenance is hard" and "storage is a big problem" ... but I'm saving $200-300/month for at least another 20 years.
Look, people: IT'S UP TO YOU, don't wait around for the government (or HELCO, or whomever) to come to your rescue -- they're not.