If you can't see the writing on the wall - its time to get solar.
Still fighting to get mine in of course - Power company just said it was going to cancel my service request if I didn't answer a question I already answered two weeks ago, on the phone, when I called them lie to see if there was anything else they needed to know.. so I am still trying to get down to just one meter.
I am about to just say F it and put in my solar application with them and tell them to fix it if they have a problem
When asking permission doesn't work - break the f'ing rules and then they will be all over it
But seriously. Solar. Battery Tech still sucks and it will double the price. But these Sol-ark inverters will give you power during the day EVEN IF the power grid is down
The newest model even has a 200 AMP pass through - so no more critical loads panel. If the grid goes down everything is powered as best as it can be with what the inverter has got-- For an extra 2K you can get an EMP hardened system (
https://www.sol-ark.com/sol-ark-15k-all-in-one/ One inverter to rule them all.. heh)
But prices are still about the same - about 12K for a roof mounted 6000 Watt array which is what most will need -- but get out your power bill and plug in your info here:
https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/It will tell you how big an array you need for present needs.
Where i am at I can expect about 600 K- watt hours in January, and 900Kwh in july
Yearly I would expect around 9000KW-hrs yearly, and expect about 20 years of generation. This "locks in " a price of about 0.8 cents KW-Hr for the next 20 years ( currently the lowests rate in the nation) if the system costs $15K ( which mine did because I ultimately had to use a ground array) When I add batteries, I would expect that to climb to something closer $0.16 cents. ( which is 1/2 of the highest rate in the nation) The point here is we can only expect the powers that be will be continuing to try and make us all poor because beggars are easier to please. Energy rates will not be going down. Even without batts in the system you are getting the nations best rate and can power things during the day if the power company goes away -- if you add batteries, you are paying a middling rate but you are independent and can power your place day and night. The sol ark lets you avoid an time of day rate charges by switching to battery during those times. If you can still be net metered ( the meter runs backward so for every KW hour you send to them , they must send you a KW-Hr for free) Also at some point and depending on where you are - your renewable energy credits may actually become a tradable commodity - like a carbon credit. Its all bullsh*t, but if its bullsh*t you make money off of - who cares?
Also if you get it in this year you still get the big tax break - so that 15K I spent? 26% is paid for by the government (I think its 21 % next year)
This is also totally something you can do yourself. The "one-box" inverters like the sol ark make this dead easy. You wire "strings" of about 8 panels (3000 watts) in series and connect them to the inverter
Depending on codes you need a "rapid shutoff system" if roof mounted-- meaning there is a box you insert every two panels that will kill the power if someone pushes a button ( radio controlled) Then there is a AC line that runs to your electric panel as the main lines. This way you avoid the god damn stupid "120% rule" 120% rule.. Older homes had 60 amp panels ( which is basically the most MY inverter can supply via solar alone) - this inverter can provide 125 amps when totally off grid. (I have a 12K inverter without the 100 amp pass though.. oh well )
I am of course happy to answer any questions if you attempt it. Its not all that hard, and electricity is going to be a huge survival advantage. Its time and they are obviously trying to freeze and starve everyone so they can put you in a pod and so you own nothing. Now. Is. The. Time.
