On (30 Oct 96) James Di Paulo wrote to All...
 JD> Does anyone know how to convert the KWH number (total used in
 JD> one month) from a utility bill to a number useful in
 JD> estimating how much solar power (PV and/or wind generator)
 JD> equipment might be needed to replace the same amount of
 JD> electricty, or a percentage of the currently used amount?
Watts X hours = watthours.
Take your PV watts (derate to the real output) and multiply by the
hours of sunshine to get watt hours. 
A kWh is one thousand watt hours.
To work the other way, take the total power (kWh) needed and divide
by the number of sun hours you get in a day. This will give you the
total number of PV watts you need. That's a quick and dirty method -
there are other things to consider, certainly.
Wind is more complicated, because you need data on how much wind you
have and what the power curve of your machine is.
Take care,
                        Ian
... DAY, n. A period of 24 hours, mostly misspent. --A. Bierce                
 
... Before you borrow money from a friend, decide which you need more.
--- PPoint 1.96
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