"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...