As a fellow Floridian, here's my take. I originally thought I would make lots of power and partially take my house off grid. OK, I realize now how hard it is to make power and how cheap it is to buy it. None the less like you I want power for outages as well as using it in between times. Here are the realistic things I will be using it for,
DAILY USE,
Attic cooling fans. It's senseless to try to use the power to run the AC but it makes a lot of sense to use it for attic cooling to ease the air conditioners load. I am making 12 volt dc fans for this, no sense losing more power using ac and an invertor. In additon to easing the AC load I plan to gain extra weeks were I don't use AC.
I'm working on a 12 volt pump to intermittantly spray water on the roof to help with cooling via evaporation.
12 volt pumps to circulate water in my solar water heater for pool and hot tub. Hurricane party anyone?
FOR HURRICANE BACKUP, POWER OUTAGES,
With a not too expensive invertor you can power up your computer during hurricane outages (assuming the network isn't down)
Fans again, 12 volt dc. Just enough to survive those hot muggy nights after a storm.
12 volt flourecent lights, cell phone charger etc.
I always look forward to Hurricane season. Each year on June first all my friends find my Happy Hurricane Season greeting cards in their mailboxs. I don't sweat the storms, I'm prepared. Only 81 days till Hurricane season.
Andy
