Solar PV pilot system a success so far...

[DamonHD]

It is more or less the shortest day of the year (ie probably least insolation)

and yet I've still not needed mains electricity for lighting in my office

since July, and right at this moment (13:04 GMT) my Internet-facing server

is running off-grid on surplus power from my PV system.

I also charge my mobile phone from this PV system, almost exclusively.

I'd say that this pilot is a success on those terms!

Of course, grid power is cheap, so I'm not "saving money".

But I have taught myself a huge amount about the value of energy which has helped me radically cut my own consumption, and probably be happier for it too, strangely.

And I do have a tiny bit of independence should we have a power cut (for lighting and keeping a mobile phone live for emergencies) though cuts are very rare here in urban London...

Rgds

Damon

[AbyssUnderground]

I'd like to say congrats on your success and determination on getting this to work. Well done :-)

[tecker]

That is the largest challenge facing the coming generations .To set down alternatives to the failing Umbilical cord .That's the best Plan for each consummer to provide clean "Negitive resistances " (As Bearden would say ). Good work and If it's only a start so what . Your up and running with low impact solutions In a densely populated area that's in need of a fix all good . Carry on  

[DamonHD]

Ta!

[tecker]

"Negitive Impedance"

[rippersoftware]

I agree that we need to determine how to do this ourselves and keep our own lights on.  We just got power back 2 days ago in southern Iowa.  Snow, Ice, Wind, Rain, Sleet, and then a freeze, then more snow.  Trees down, power lines down, streets not cleared.  What a pain.

However, batteries to the rescue.  A nice deep cycle marine battery, a small inverter, and a CFL.  Let there be light!.  We ran off batteries in the night and charged them during the day with cars.  We aren't set up yet for RE power.  Working on that.

My wife was simply amazed at what I did and now she understands my ramblings about windmills and solar cells.  Not sitting in the dark is a good thing and it doesn't take much effort to keep this happening without the grid.  Just determination and some deep thought.

Keep up the good work.  It will pay off.

RipperSoftware