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The ability for power companies to deliver on this reliably is decreasing as our society grows increasingly low-trust. This is why you may want to take control

by irq 4y ago

The ability for power companies to deliver on this reliably is decreasing as our society grows increasingly low-trust. This is why you may want to take control of your own destiny and secure your own source of power.

treeman79 4y ago
It’s insane radicals that try and shut everything down that are causing people to have to become more self-reliant. Most people I know have trouble remembering to change the oil in their car. Being in charge of electrical generation and giant batteries is not a good idea for many.
- ilyt 4y ago
  Maybe electrical companies should be the ones funding that infrastructure, basically give us roof space for modest discount on electricity
bell-cot 4y ago
Last I heard (a friend is a retired Electrical Engineer, with solar panels), there is a massive cost & complexity gap between "have solar panels on the roof of house" and "control your own destiny" (meaning you're able to run your house off-grid via solar panels). The former only needs (relatively) simple/stupid/cheap power & control electronics. Mimic the frequency & phase of the incoming AC from the utility, and let the panels run at 100%, 24x7, regardless of in-home power usage. Any solar_output > local_usage excess gets shoved back at the utility, any solar_output < local_usage shortage gets drawn from the utility, and dealing with that unpredictable yo-yo is 100% their problem and expense. The latter - even with no batteries - requires a bunch of complex control electronics - because solar panels do not magically put out 120VAC at 60Hz, for any load short of their maximum current power output.
- turtlebits 4y ago
  I’m not sure I agree with this. While off grid integration isn’t seamless, I find that it’s much easier to understand, equipment is plentiful and cheaper than a grid tie system. Smaller scale off grid systems can also be done with no installation/permitting costs if you set it up as a solar “ups” and put your critical loads on it. (Though I would at least have an electrician setup a critical loads panel and have your off grid inverter power that. )

by irq 4y ago

treeman79 4y ago

It’s insane radicals that try and shut everything down that are causing people to have to become more self-reliant. Most people I know have trouble remembering to change the oil in their car. Being in charge of electrical generation and giant batteries is not a good idea for many.

ilyt 4y ago
Maybe electrical companies should be the ones funding that infrastructure, basically give us roof space for modest discount on electricity

bell-cot 4y ago

Last I heard (a friend is a retired Electrical Engineer, with solar panels), there is a massive cost & complexity gap between "have solar panels on the roof of house" and "control your own destiny" (meaning you're able to run your house off-grid via solar panels). The former only needs (relatively) simple/stupid/cheap power & control electronics. Mimic the frequency & phase of the incoming AC from the utility, and let the panels run at 100%, 24x7, regardless of in-home power usage. Any solar_output > local_usage excess gets shoved back at the utility, any solar_output < local_usage shortage gets drawn from the utility, and dealing with that unpredictable yo-yo is 100% their problem and expense. The latter - even with no batteries - requires a bunch of complex control electronics - because solar panels do not magically put out 120VAC at 60Hz, for any load short of their maximum current power output.

turtlebits 4y ago
I’m not sure I agree with this. While off grid integration isn’t seamless, I find that it’s much easier to understand, equipment is plentiful and cheaper than a grid tie system. Smaller scale off grid systems can also be done with no installation/permitting costs if you set it up as a solar “ups” and put your critical loads on it. (Though I would at least have an electrician setup a critical loads panel and have your off grid inverter power that. )