Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> One big problem with solar (and most other forms of RE) is that it is an 
> intermittant form of energy; it is only available part of the day.  To run 
> a house on an intermittant power source, one must overproduce when one 
> can, then store the power for when the source is not providing.  In the 
> case of solar, not only is there no production at night, but a storm 
> system can obscure the sun for days at a time. The week link in this 
> system is still the batteries.  They are bulky, expensive and require a 
> reasonable amount of technical skill to maintain.

I visualize a Heartwood system hooked to the grid. When the sun shines, the 
meter turns backwards after the batteries are full. When the sun does not 
shine, first the juice in the batteries power essentials, then we go back 
to the grid.

I cannot see using solar as a stand-alone system. My planer has a five 
horsepower motor. Batteries would never handle the starting load.

All that said, small urban or rural homes carefully designed for energy 
efficiency and including very energy-efficient appliances can exist solely 
on solar. Yes, it require lifestyle change.