09-10-2016, 01:05 PM
"I'm not inclined to do an off-grid system unless batteries get cheaper and last longer"
I can totally relate. On the one hand, HELCO goes down or brown outs frequently and it's expensive.
OTOH you don't need to pay nearly that much for a large array of local supplied lead acid. (New battery technologies, as we've seen lately, are still to scary and expensive).
To me, the biggest problem is the periodic maintenance but when you consider it all, 24x7x365 uptime and no fees off grid (in Hawaii for sure) is the way to go for residential purposes.
If you do go off grid use LED lighting and get appliances with the lowest annual cost rating (the yellow sticker energy rating on a UHD Samsung 50" tv is only $9/yr, but the cheaper TV's waste more energy) especially for the fridge. Oh, and either disconnect the heater element or restricted to using a dishwasher to noon on sunny days (avoid high amp appliances).
Going off grid definitely works well if enough panels, sufficient battery array and making smart choices about appliances and usage.
aloha
I can totally relate. On the one hand, HELCO goes down or brown outs frequently and it's expensive.
OTOH you don't need to pay nearly that much for a large array of local supplied lead acid. (New battery technologies, as we've seen lately, are still to scary and expensive).
To me, the biggest problem is the periodic maintenance but when you consider it all, 24x7x365 uptime and no fees off grid (in Hawaii for sure) is the way to go for residential purposes.
If you do go off grid use LED lighting and get appliances with the lowest annual cost rating (the yellow sticker energy rating on a UHD Samsung 50" tv is only $9/yr, but the cheaper TV's waste more energy) especially for the fridge. Oh, and either disconnect the heater element or restricted to using a dishwasher to noon on sunny days (avoid high amp appliances).
Going off grid definitely works well if enough panels, sufficient battery array and making smart choices about appliances and usage.
aloha
aloha