10-04-2014, 04:53 AM
Net metering is what it is. It saves you money as long as everything works. Store some of that energy in the form of money in a bank and some in the form of a generator. My own situation is that I have been "developing" my property in the standard Puna fashion, on a shoestring budget, and due to both financial constraints (SSPP fee) and my own somewhat irrational survivalist bent, I bought my own panels, batteries, etc. I prefer it that way. If I became wealthy tomorrow I would probably pay off the SSPP and finish off my place properly but at this point I would always feel naked without an off-grid capable system. That might be as simple as a generator although I think a proper setup should have a proper transfer switch and its own little shed for housing everything plus a set of metal gas cans. If I had the money to do it right I would have a hybrid system with batteries and solar as well as grid power. That's if I was wealthy and didn't have to choose though.
I just don't see how driving on a solar collector surface can work unless they were almost free. The only thing it saves you is the space. If I had workable solar panels, no matter if I could drive on them, I might build a carport out of them so I could park out of the rain.
I just don't see how driving on a solar collector surface can work unless they were almost free. The only thing it saves you is the space. If I had workable solar panels, no matter if I could drive on them, I might build a carport out of them so I could park out of the rain.