Jim Dunmyer wrote in a message to Kyle Hearn:
JD>  From what I've read in HomePower magazine, it appears like
JD> going 100% AC, using inverters, is the way to operate today.
JD> Twenty years ago, most AE households used mostly DC lights
JD> and appliances because of the inefficiencies of the
JD> inverters of the day.
JD> It sounds like you have the 'consumption' part of the
JD> equation in hand if you've gotten your electric bill down to
JD> $20.00/month. It would be interesting to experiment with
JD> solar power, even on your 'appartment' scale. I think I'd
JD> start with a decent-sized PV panel, charging a 12 volt RV
JD> battery. Use the battery to operate a couple of lights, a
JD> small TV, or a laptop computer. Be sure that those
JD> appliances are ones that you actually USE on a daily basis.
I think I forgot to mention that the apt I live in has a western exposure. 
Not the best thing as I understand for PV power.
Do you have any recommendations on where I should purchase the equipment and 
any model numbers, etc.
JD> Doing the above will give you some hands-on experience with
JD> a PV system, maintaining batteries, etc. You'll also gain an
JD> appreciation for how much useful energy can be provided by
JD> such a system and how it relates to consumption. That is,
JD> you'll learn that a night of heavy computer use must be
JD> followed by a good sunny day or there won't be any computing
JD> the next night. While we all know that in the abstract,
JD> there's nothing like hands-on experience to give you a real
JD> 'feel' for it.
I see. I suspect that the 20" monitor may give me some problems :-) I'll go 
dig up my most recent electric bill and see what the total usage was for last 
month and post it here and perhaps someone can give me a good idea of how 
much equipment I'll need to power it all. I would _love_ to get the electric 
bill down to nothing or something very small. I don't mind buying a small 
electric heater or fans as well as lamps, etc. if I can accomplish this. 
Going off grid in an apt would be neat :-)
Thanks very much for your help.
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