Ian Woofenden wrote in a message to Kyle Hearn:
IW> You can't use "regular" appliances unless you have lots of
IW> money to spend on more PV and batteries. You can use AC
IW> appliances, but they must be super-efficient. Get a catalog
IW> from Trace Engineering in Arlington, WA. They are the
IW> foremost manufacturers of inverters (DC to AC). Cost depends
IW> on capacity and power quality. One of their best machines,
IW> the SW4024, gives 4kW of sine wave power, and costs about
IW> $2500.
This doesnt seem that expensive, really. An energy inefficient house in Texas 
especially during the summer _is_ expensive. I've probably saved myself 
hundreds of dollars over the past few months alone by cutting my bill from 
$90 monthly down to $15-$20.
 KH> I'd also like to know if there is any way to solar power a
 KH> first floor apt with a western exposure or if it would be
 KH> worth it at all for the time being.
IW> I doubt it. :(  You're eliminating at least half of your
IW> solar window to start with.  Buy one panel and a battery and
IW> some meters and play with it. You can learn a lot and be
IW> more ready to put together your system for your land. But
IW> don't expect to power much. 
If I could manage to power a few low power lights, a cd player, and an alarm 
clock. I'd be pretty happy. I'm dying to go offgrid.
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