AC> Monthly consumption 900kWH. [two retired persons, 3 bedroom modern well
 AC> insulated house]
I'm curious about this figure... are you heating with electricity? or hot 
water heater?  Here I'm using 600 kWh/month for 2.5 people and even that 
could be cut back a bit... Fluorescent and/or halogen lighting is in the most 
heavily used areas and electri is not used to heat home or hot water.
With a little more conservation I could imagine dropping to under 500 kWh for 
normal conventional living.  However I see your point about cutbacks under 
your own solar generating plan.
Smaller or more power efficient TV's & computers, more efficient 
refrigerators and freezers, less stove/oven cooking and more microwave... 
c.
One of these days I'll actually get around to doing a power audit around here 
and see what exactly *is* sucking up those 600 kWh.
 AC> My panels are small, about 12 ins square and cost me [retail] $62 ie 
about
 AC> US$50.
At the moment the solar configuration here is a single 5w panel (Can$100 
=US$70) charging a *very large* battery that powers a 12vdc emergency 
lighting system (7 watt fluorescents Can$20) and 12vdc B&W TV (Can$100) and 
car stereo system (we tend to have a lot of power outages in the winter).
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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