We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it, but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something... on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

- Jason

On 27 Jun 2006 19:27:00 -0700, Jason wrote:
We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it, but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something... on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

does it make purring noises like an engine?

or are there electric wires coming into it from a pole?

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

you know, people were able to live without electricity 100 years ago.

are you serious or are you kidding?


i

1) Cut your electric use
2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available
3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is
4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"Jason" wrote in message
oups.com...
We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it,
but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something...
on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

- Jason

"Jason" wrote in message
oups.com...
We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it, but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something... on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

It is a portable nuclear reactor. It costs much more than $10,000, so it
probably isn't practical.

does it make purring noises like an engine?

or are there electric wires coming into it from a pole?

Nope, and nope. I'm in a rural area and own 5 acres of property, and
the closest actual pole is at the end of my property; say, 100 yards
away. So there is no external source available to this unit, it's
completely self supportive.

And it doesn't make any noise at all.

you know, people were able to live without electricity 100 years ago.

are you serious or are you kidding?

Well, obviously I'm serious. Maybe I didn't explain the situation well;
I'm curious what alternatives (legal alternatives) people have come up
with to create their own electricity, without paying a separate
electric company.

I know of solar panels, and I know a local guy that uses a water wheel.
But this self-supportive unit has caught my interest, and I'm sure that
there must be other ideas out there.

- J

1) Cut your electric use

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's
a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat
gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it
feels awfully high.

2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available

Good idea.

3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.

4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a
pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so
expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my current
bill.

- J

On 28 Jun 2006 01:24:11 -0700, "Jason" wrote:

1) Cut your electric use

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's
a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat
gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it
feels awfully high.

2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available

Good idea.

3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.

4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a
pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so
expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my current
bill.

- J

You have a hot tub and you;re complaining about the price of the
electric ??????????????????
You just answered your own question. Those things are power hungry.
Plus the AC..... I'm surprised its not higher....

If you are going to do anything to cut your electric bills, get a
solar heater for the hot tub. Actually you can make your own if you
are handy.

As for that thing the power company connected, I have no clue if it
does not have an engine. Most people ask questions to the source. I
would have asked them what it is...

Jason wrote:
We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it, but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something... on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

- Jason

Andy writes:
You have greatly underestimated the price of a solar system that
will meet your needs.

To supply electricity EQUAL to the amount you are using from the
grid ( $200 a month at probably 12 cents per kwh) will require a much
much higher initial cost than the 10,000 you have stated.

Your best bet would be to buy a large generator.

On the other hand, if you cut your power useage down to the
point where a 10K solar system would supply it, you will be amazed
at the decrease in your electric bill.

There is a LOT more to a solar system than just buying some
panels and hooking them up..... Most people who try it become
disillusioned and go back to the grid, if they have the opportunity.
The only real useage for a solar system is when someone has
no choice, such as remote cabins or sailboats......

Andy in Eureka, Texas

You are all electric? Hot tub , cooking, laundry, water heater? To off
grid power all of that might cost 100000, I realy dont know how much.
Propane might be cheaper for apliances, run comparison numbers.
alt.energy.homepower is where you will get numbers for alternates. A
generator will cost you more than you pay now.

Jason wrote in message
.com...

. . .(snip). . .
So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

. . . .(snip). . .

- Jason


If you're really handy with tools and the like, a diesel generator can
be cost effective. They are most cost effective if you pipe the cooling
system so as to heat your house with the cooling water.

It's the owner's "sweat equity" that usually provides the greatest cost
saving. You provide "free" labor and reap the benefit. If you're not
savvy enough to provide the labor, it's no longer a good deal.

Regards
Old Al

Regarding solar power, it's one of the biggest scams going. The cost
for a 6KW system is around $50K. A 9KW is around $75K, and even that
isn't going to supply the full load of a typical home with AC and the
usual other loads. Nor does it supply anything at night.

Now the looney tune environmentalists will try to tell you how it is a
great alternative, cost effective and the answer to our energy
problems. But, that's only because in many areas, there are huge
subsidies to make it look better. For example, here in NJ, that $50K
system winds up costing the consumer about $13K, with the other $37K
coming from the tax payers to fund this stupidity. If even a few
percent of homes did this, there wouldn't be enough tax money to
finanace it.

In the real world, if you paid the $75K and finanaced it like the rest
of the house with a 6% mortgage, the interest alone would be $4500 a
year, which is more than a regular electric bill. Plus, there are
going to be maintenance costs, it doesn't last forever, etc.


Regarding the mystery box the electric company wheeled over, this has
to be a troll. A mystery box wheeled over on a handtruck running AC
and the rest of the house and lasting for 2 days? Powering the heat
and AC? When's the last time you needed both in a 2 day day period?
And what's the big mystery when the OP asked the utility guy what it
was? Anytime I've asked, they;ve always been happy to provide info.
Plus, no markings, name, etc on the unit identifying what it is?

Now you done it. AlQuida will trace his ISP and come steal it. Good
going.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"Toller" wrote in message
...

It is a portable nuclear reactor. It costs much more than $10,000, so
it
probably isn't practical.

1) Cut your electric use

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's
a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat
gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it
feels awfully high.
CY: Yes, it gets you thinking. I've found that any kind of electric
heat is expensive. Such as hot tubs. Also things with compressors tend
to be expensive. I had a big electric bill one month cause I was
running a dehumidifer after I shampood the carpets. Refrigerators and
AC have compressors, too.

2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available

Good idea.
CY: I had an off peak meter one time, when I had electric baseboard
heat. At least part of the day had a cheaper rate.

3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested
in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.
CY: That's a real shame. Does the gadget have any name plates that
give you a clue?

4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators.
Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a
pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so
expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my
current
bill.
CY: Gasoline is a bit pricey. I'd guess propane is also pricey. If
you're in a rural area, makes me wonder if a diesel or propane
generator would pay for itself. Since you're not driving it on the
road, a diesel generator oughta be legal to run on home heating oil,
which is much less taxed t han road diesel.

- J

CY: Gasoline is a bit pricey. I'd guess propane is also pricey. If
you're in a rural area, makes me wonder if a diesel or propane
generator would pay for itself. Since you're not driving it on the
road, a diesel generator oughta be legal to run on home heating oil,
which is much less taxed t han road diesel.

Diesel generators can run on "off road" diesel - it simply has a dye in
it to identify it as such. It is taxed at a lower rate than the road
use fuel. Just don't get caught using it on your truck or something.

Home heating oil may or may not work well in a diesel engine. Depends
on the grade. Besides, its not cheap either. I would tend to run at #2
diesel in the summer and #1 (or a blend) in the winter to get the most
out of your generator. Going cheap will just cost you in maintenance
and repairs later on. The old saying goes, "you can pay now or pay
later..." Also, if you do consider a generator, be sure to spec it for
continous duty ("prime" power, not "standby" power) - have you
considered the noise factor?

I bet though, it you do the analysis, you'll find the power company
power to be the most cost effective for your situation. Wind power
might be something to consider. As others have said, solar probably
isn't a good choice for you. If you do some carefull analysis of your
electrical use, you will likely find several areas of savings. How big
a family? Are there multiple computers left on when they are not being
used? Are lights getting shut off when an area is unoccupied? What temp
is the A/C set at? Just bumping that up a couple of degrees can make a
difference. Other than the hot tube, you probably won't find much in
the way of big consumers of power. More than likely, its a lot of
little things that you don't realize are adding up to the big bill.

I am sorry, but it is insane to consider home power generation as an
alternative to utility power, if it is available. The costs are going
to be dramatically higher, for many reasons, and so will be the
hassles, including legal hassles.

Giving suggestions to do so to OP who has apparently no understanding
of anything (if he was not joking), is not very helpful either.

This is coming from someone who does own a generator.

i

Way less than 100 years ago.

--
Steve


"Ignoramus24108" wrote in message
...

you know, people were able to live without electricity 100 years ago.

are you serious or are you kidding?


i

Steve Barker LT wrote:
Way less than 100 years ago.


Currently still, actually. And showing no signs of changing, either.


"Ignoramus24108" wrote in message
...

you know, people were able to live without electricity 100 years ago.

are you serious or are you kidding?


i

Jason wrote:
Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested
in trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.


Well, LOOK at the goddamn thing! Does it have writing on it? If so, what
does the writing say?

All we can tell so far is you have a mysterious box plugged into your house.
Best guess, absent any other information, is it's a miniature nuclear power
station. Or pigeon coop.

wrote:
Regarding solar power, it's one of the biggest scams going. The cost
for a 6KW system is around $50K. A 9KW is around $75K, and even that
isn't going to supply the full load of a typical home with AC and the
usual other loads. Nor does it supply anything at night.

Now the looney tune environmentalists will try to tell you how it is a
great alternative, cost effective and the answer to our energy
problems. But, that's only because in many areas, there are huge
subsidies to make it look better. For example, here in NJ, that $50K
system winds up costing the consumer about $13K, with the other $37K
coming from the tax payers to fund this stupidity. If even a few
percent of homes did this, there wouldn't be enough tax money to
finanace it.

In the real world, if you paid the $75K and finanaced it like the rest
of the house with a 6% mortgage, the interest alone would be $4500 a
year, which is more than a regular electric bill. Plus, there are
going to be maintenance costs, it doesn't last forever, etc.


It is a religious dictum that our planet can be run by sunbeams. Now the
facts are that sunlight falling on the earth's surface is 745 watts/meter2.
At the equator. At noon. With no clouds. The only way to increase that value
is to move the earth's orbit closer to the sun.

Assuming a 70% conversion factor, it would take a collector farm the size of
the Los Angeles basin (~1200 square miles) to provide power for California's
needs. In addition, probably 10,000 workers to keep the seagull **** washed
off the panels and other maintenance all while everyone in Los Angeles lived
in the shadow of the damned thing.

Jason wrote:

But what other options are there that I'm not considering?

Try alt.energy.homepower

Seeing as how most everything now days has all kinds of serial
numbers, identifying plates, and such, that sounds like good advice.
My vote is on hamster wheel with a generator atached.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"HeyBub" wrote in message
...
Jason wrote:
Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me
any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested
in trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.


Well, LOOK at the goddamn thing! Does it have writing on it? If so,
what
does the writing say?

All we can tell so far is you have a mysterious box plugged into your
house.
Best guess, absent any other information, is it's a miniature nuclear
power
station. Or pigeon coop.

Where I live, for now, natural gas is more expensive than electricity.

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
1) Cut your electric use
2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available
3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is
4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

"Jason" wrote in message
oups.com...
We had a major storm here a few days ago, and as a result someone was
damaged underground. The electric company is suppose to replace it,
but
this involves destroying my yard, as well as potentially destroying my
paved driveway and sidewalk, flower beds, etc.

In the meanwhile, they brought out a self-supportive... something...
on
a hand truck, that's plugged in to my regular power meter. It's all
encased so that I can't see what it is, but I suspect that it's a deep
cycle battery and some sort of a transformer. This thing has been
powering my house effectively for well over 48 hours.

So I can't help but wonder: if this stand-alone thing would power my
house for 48 hours (including my central heat and air, and my range),
then there must be something I can build myself to do the same thing.
With an electric bill exceeding $200 every month (over $300 during the
winter), I'm willing to consider just about anything!

I looked into solar panels, but from what I read online this can cost
in excess of $10,000. Even that isn't unreasonable; after 4 years, it
has paid for itself. But what other options are there that I'm not
considering?

- Jason

visit a COSTCO and buy a couple of packages of their energy saving bulbs.
They easily save 70% over conventional bulbs.
"Jason" wrote in message
oups.com...
1) Cut your electric use

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's
a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat
gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it
feels awfully high.

2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available

Good idea.

3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.

4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators. Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a
pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so
expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my current
bill.

- J

"Jason" wrote in message
oups.com...

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.

You've got me curious call the power company/.

The only gas in my house is the stove and water heater and me. . . . .

I bought a circulating electric spot heater from COSTCO and only use the
baseboard electric heat
on very very cold days. There's a thermosat in each room . I'm on the
utility budget plan @ $89.90 a month. However,
July first the electric rate cap comes off and I'm looking at a 72%
increase. Let me know
if you're interested in the scam of utility deregulation and I'll send you
an enlightening article.

Unfortunately, $200.00 - $300.00 maybe about right in a deregulated (read
scam) market.

Mike

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
1) Cut your electric use

You know, I really have no idea why our electric bill is so high. It's
a relatively new house, well insulated, and although we have some neat
gadgets (hot tub, central heat and air, a few fish tanks, etc), it
feels awfully high.
CY: Yes, it gets you thinking. I've found that any kind of electric
heat is expensive. Such as hot tubs. Also things with compressors tend
to be expensive. I had a big electric bill one month cause I was
running a dehumidifer after I shampood the carpets. Refrigerators and
AC have compressors, too.

2) Ask the power co if they have an off peak meter available

Good idea.
CY: I had an off peak meter one time, when I had electric baseboard
heat. At least part of the day had a cheaper rate.

3) Ask the power guys what that gadget is

Unfortunately, he either doesn't know or isn't willing to give me any
information on it. I tried that at first, but he was more interested
in
trampling all of my not-so-cheap flowers and shrubs to listen.
CY: That's a real shame. Does the gadget have any name plates that
give you a clue?

4) Call some local electricians and ask about backup generators.
Might
be possible to put in a generator that runs off natural gas.

As far as I know, there's no natural gas source in my county; I'm in a
pretty rural area. I've looked in to gas generators, but gas is so
expensive now that the monthly expense would actually exceed my
current
bill.
CY: Gasoline is a bit pricey. I'd guess propane is also pricey. If
you're in a rural area, makes me wonder if a diesel or propane
generator would pay for itself. Since you're not driving it on the
road, a diesel generator oughta be legal to run on home heating oil,
which is much less taxed t han road diesel.

- J

Let me know
if you're interested in the scam of utility deregulation and I'll send you
an enlightening article.

Unfortunately, $200.00 - $300.00 maybe about right in a deregulated (read
scam) market.

Mike
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_e...es.cfm?ID=4179

"Andy" wrote in message
oups.com...

(snip)
Andy writes:
You have greatly underestimated the price of a solar system that
will meet your needs.

To supply electricity EQUAL to the amount you are using from the
grid ( $200 a month at probably 12 cents per kwh) will require a much
much higher initial cost than the 10,000 you have stated.

Your best bet would be to buy a large generator.

On the other hand, if you cut your power useage down to the
point where a 10K solar system would supply it, you will be amazed
at the decrease in your electric bill.

There is a LOT more to a solar system than just buying some
panels and hooking them up..... Most people who try it become
disillusioned and go back to the grid, if they have the opportunity.
The only real useage for a solar system is when someone has
no choice, such as remote cabins or sailboats......

"Solar' does not always mean 'electric'. In the case of the hot tub, it is a
no-brainer- a solar collector (can be as simple as a bunch of black tubing
on roof), and a small electric pump, perhaps even a small windmill, would
easily take over most of the water-heating duties for the tub. Electricity
is very convenient, but sometimes stone-age forms of energy can still be
very useful at a much lower price.

aem sends...

"Mike" wrote:

visit a COSTCO and buy a couple of packages of their energy saving bulbs.
They easily save 70% over conventional bulbs.

Agree

The Costco cf lamps are some of the best I've found

ameijers wrote: "Solar' does not always mean 'electric'. In the case
of the hot tub, it is a
no-brainer- a solar collector (can be as simple as a bunch of black tubing
on roof), and a small electric pump, perhaps even a small windmill, would
easily take over most of the water-heating duties for the tub. Electricity
is very convenient, but sometimes stone-age forms of energy can still be
very useful at a much lower price.

aem sends...

Andy writes:

You are absolutely right.... I was assuming that he meant using
photovoltaic cells to make electricity for stuff.......

Solar heating is a very practical, and very cost effective idea if
one
is in a climate where the sun is readily available when needed...

Unfortunately, solar cooling isn't as practical, although I think
that
solar heat could probably be used to power ammonia cycle refrigerators.
I've never seen one, but the fridge in my RV uses a tiny propane flame
to run the cooling apparatus, so I suspect an enterprising fellow could
replace the propane flame with a solar collector..... As far as air
contitioning a house, forget it if a swamp cooler isn't good
enough....


Andy

Anybody can make energy, even kids: Oakridge-Marpole students were top
winners at the Vancouver Climate Change game. Here's a link to the
victory picnic party:

http://sustainabilitymagic.blogspot....te-change.html



Andy wrote:
ameijers wrote: "Solar' does not always mean 'electric'. In the case
of the hot tub, it is a
no-brainer- a solar collector (can be as simple as a bunch of black tubing
on roof), and a small electric pump, perhaps even a small windmill, would
easily take over most of the water-heating duties for the tub. Electricity
is very convenient, but sometimes stone-age forms of energy can still be
very useful at a much lower price.

aem sends...

Andy writes:

You are absolutely right.... I was assuming that he meant using
photovoltaic cells to make electricity for stuff.......

Solar heating is a very practical, and very cost effective idea if
one
is in a climate where the sun is readily available when needed...

Unfortunately, solar cooling isn't as practical, although I think
that
solar heat could probably be used to power ammonia cycle refrigerators.
I've never seen one, but the fridge in my RV uses a tiny propane flame
to run the cooling apparatus, so I suspect an enterprising fellow could
replace the propane flame with a solar collector..... As far as air
contitioning a house, forget it if a swamp cooler isn't good
enough....


Andy