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[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

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

One of my wildest criteria is to find a place with water power.  It is easy 
to generate huge amounts of power with water.  If not that then a surplus 
8-10 kW generator would do for large loads.

5 HP is what, 4kW?  With surge that could easily reach 8 kW.  My table saw 
has a 3 hp motor and takes a big surge.  hen I set up shop again I want to 
get a decent 6 or 8 in. planer.

> 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.

You still need some sort of storage.  The grid is by far the cheapest 
storage option.  Solar needs storage for overcast and short winter days and 
for nights.  Wind does not always blow and some streams are sometimes 
seasonal.

Don Bowen                          Awl Knotted Up

My travel journal
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html

My present location is the star on the map in the link below
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=33.506083&longitude=-117.099019