Hi James
On (23 Nov 96) James di Paulo wrote to Alec Cameron...
 Jd> We are using at the moment between 1100 and 1200 KWH per month.
My gut feeling, is that this is way over what a domestic installation can
resonably expect as an electrical input from from solar/wind energy,
unless you are prepared to make a costly hobby of the installation.
But why not? people are willing to invest big in their hobbies. Quality of
life!  But- if your are looking for reasonable, pragmatic, cost effective
solutions then I suggest that frugality in life style has to be a core
part of the equation. Which could mean, get your energy use down to under
100kWH/ month. Hot water from solar collectors, engineered insulation and
ventilation, shading etc for the house.
 Jd> think it will be somewhat a toss-up at the moment. For this reason I am
 Jd> still looking for a ballpark figure of how much it will cost me to 
install
 Jd> PV equipment to produce this much power in SW Oklahoma.
It would be presumptious for me to suggest a figure. But for a house needing
1000kWH/ month, a neighborhood co- generation scheme could be attractive IF
your Utility would play ball. Such schemes have worked in NSW using induction
generators on the grid, driven by the consumers, the meters running 
ckwards.
The cheapest co- generation seems to be one having hydro energy available, 
he
"turbo generator" being a surplus low head pump- elec motor combination  from
a retired thermal generating station.   Cheers....ALEC
... ........When I contemplate the moon, my head aches [Galileo]
--- PPoint 1.92
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