[pf] people wanting to live more lightly on the earth.

· A letter and reply, about wanting to use renewable energy.
  The reply is realistic but discourages people wanting to just "go out and
buy Alternative Energy".

· My opinion is that most people could go the solar-electric panels route,
provided they have someone to install the panels and connect up to the grid
(mains power lines); that option isn't available everywhere, and may not
pay for itself unless your power company pays you for your power at the
same price you pay them to supply you at night etc.

· gswanton is right IMO when he says: "You'll achieve a lot more fuel
consumption _reduction_ by looking into things like vehicles, home heating
and insulation, etc. than you ever would by setting up a turbine, solar
panels, or even just sitting in the dark."
  With so much energy being wasted by most families, I see no reason to pay
for a bigger home-energy installation just so some of that energy can go to
waste.

· Wind power is great if you're that kind of person and have the space.
It's capable of producing lots of power (with a tall tower and big
generator, in windy locations), so there would be a good chance of being a
net supplier of electric energy, over a year, with much less cost
(currently) than for the same generating capacity in solar photovoltaic
(PV) panels.

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awea-wind-home/message/6138
  is:

From:  bnther@c...
Date:  Sat Nov 10, 2001  3:02 am
Subject:  Looking for a better way

Hello group, 
        I have been searching the web recently in search of ways to cut my 
living
costs and also better my living environment at the same time. With regards
to heating, I have looked at everything from corn burning stoves to radical
insulation techniques. With regards to electricity, I am looking at wind
vs. solar and am contemplating a wind AND solar combination. I truly
believe that we, as a species, must plan and act responsibly for the
benefit of our planet; as it is the only place we have to live. The wide
and rampant use of fossil fuels is actually quite frightening when you
really stop to think about it. And with the global population snowballing
in its numbers, this use will only multiply. Any intelligent person will
realize that fossil fuels are in a finite supply. Once it's gone, then
there simply will be no more. And what kind of shape will our planet be in
then?! This thought frightens me even more!
        My wife and I own a lot at the Plainwell Municipal Airport. It's a
wide-open area with continuous breeze and lots of sunshine. 
We're hoping to break ground next summer. As a result, I am fervently
looking for answers.  And to be quite honest, I am lost in the sea of
technical details of wind and solar power.  I need a link to the `quick and
dirty' guide to understanding alternative energy.  
  Things like, how much power can I expect reasonably?  How much
maintenance will things require?  What is the life expectancy of wind or
solar systems?  What kind of hook-ups will I have to install to be
generating my own power while still on the grid?  Are there any tax breaks
or incentives for those of us who are looking for a better way to do things?
        I do not mind the initial cost up front so much, though I must admit it
will have an impact on what we purchase as we are not 'made of money'. But
I do need to see some savings, simply because I, like most everyone else,
only have a finite amount of money. As much as I would like to simply
install the 'earth friendly' energy-producing machines, they must be
realistic in their cost versus performance. 
        But, my wife and I are not doing this solely for the purpose of saving
money. We are doing this with the mindset of being responsible to our home.
So every little bit helps. If we only use one solar cell and a fan sized
wind generator, then at least we've done a little. And if we can challenge
others to look for a better way, then we've done something even better.


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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awea-wind-home/message/6140
  is: 

From:  gswanton@m...
Date:  Sat Nov 10, 2001  4:28 pm
Subject:  Re: [a-w-h] Looking for a better way

How much power to expect varies wildly with site and turbine. You couldn't
have it much easier than an airport site as they should have excellent wind
regime data. Get seasonal averages and check expected output for some small
turbines. See grocer for required grain of salt to avoid disappointment.

The Real Goods catalog (Solar Living Sourcebook) has a fair amount of
useful information on wind/solar/other things you'd be interested in.
Remember it is a also catalog. Get educated from some other sources for a
balanced perspective.

>From the perspective of cost, you'll be way better off on the grid. From
the perspective of decreasing your dependence on the grid, non-electric
options are generally more reliable than DIY electricity (although, done
well, this is generally more reliable than the grid). If you're looking to
'save the planet', DIY electrical generation is probably the least
effective thing you could do, especially for the money. You'll acheive a
lot more fuel consumption reduction by looking into things like vehicles,
home heating and insulation, etc. than you ever would by setting up a
turbine, solar panels, or even just sitting in the dark.

It is satisfying to see the blades spinning, but it can be very aggravating
when things go wrong - see Mike Klemen's site for a little 'perspective'.
Most folks don't have as much equipment or problems, but its not all fun
and games. I don't have pictures but I do have a few left over bits and
pieces from a 'frag' experience similar to Mike's.

None of this is to dampen your enthusiasm if you're genuinely interested,
just a little food for thought. I'd say read the faq for this group (if you
haven't already), and poke around the net generally. See
http://www.chelseagreen.com/Energy.htm for the book/catalog mentioned above
and Paul Gipe's books as well as some other's you may be interested in. I
haven't read Wind Energy Basics but you would do well to give Wind Power
for Home and Business at least a once through read.

Good luck

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