Hi James
On (30 Oct 96) James di Paulo wrote to All...
 Jd> Does anyone know how to convert the KWH number (total used in one month)
 Jd> from a utility bill to a number useful in estimating how much solar 
ower
 Jd> (PV and/or wind generator) equipment might be needed to replace the same
 Jd> amount of electricty, or a percentage of the currently used amount?
I urge you, do not try and match the currently used amount! Using alternative
elec energy for a home necessitates making severe cuts in energy use.
But here is a rough assessment based on my house and location-
Monthly consumption 900kWH. [two retired persons, 3 bedroom modern well
insulated house]
WE have two solar panels for outdoors- one powers the garden shed, the other
powers the driveway entry lamp at the roadway.
Daily AVERAGE hours of sunshine about 3hrs. Each of our panels are good for 4
watts 20volts [these each charge a 12v battery]
Allow 30 days/ average month. Energy required/ day is 900/30 ie 30kWH
To deliver that much energy in 3 hrs of sunlight we need a power rating from
panels totalling 30/3 ie 10KW [10 000 watts].  So number of  4watt panels
required, is 10 000/4 ie 2 500 panels.
My panels are small, about 12 ins square and cost me [retail] $62 ie about
US$50.
You would pay a great deal less. But if you don't then your cost would be
US$50x2 500 ie $125 000.  More probably, you could do it for under $20 000.
But you will agree, these calcs underline the necessity to live frugal, if 
ou
want to generate your own energy. There is NO risk of the Utility Companies
going out of business because of PV setups! Well, not in my lifetime.
Cheers........ALEC
... ....Made with the assistance of a digital writing instrument
--- PPoint 1.92
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