My friend has his workshop where he uses powertools all the time completely off grid. He used to run a workshop to teach people how to make their own 64w solar panels for just over $100 worth of components/parts. Around here, good deep cycle batteries are not cheap. I was going to run my greenhouse and even my reef tanks off-grid but the economics of this "green" project didn't really work. I may still do it, as much for the "oooh, I'm off grid" factor as anything else. As others mentioned, the pay-back period is very long and so "economic-benefits" is not really a true consideration. If I'm lazy, there's a solar power store a few blocks away where I can buy the panels, batteries and everything else and the guy will give me the instructions for hooking it up (or I'll get my friend over to help). Still, not sure I want to spend $1200+ for a side project.
My friend's currently pricing out a system appropriate for my needs and designing something custom and then I'll make my final decision whether to go solar or not.
Anthony
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If you see it, can take care of it, better get it or put it on hold. Otherwise, it'll be gone & you'll regret it!
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05-13-2013, 06:29 AM
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