RE on grid [RE-wrenches]

[wstahle at slonet.org]

Howdy  REnchers,

I have been contemplating this also lately and believe that point three below has the most
mass appeal, and  the other two present opportunities to those with the bucks to solve the
"problem" that the grid presents.

Richard Perez, Home Power magazine wrote:

> Here are three good marketing ideas to bring RE systems on grid.
>
> 1. The power is uninterruptable.

If all is in order, all the time.  With hands on owner participation, I believe.

> 2. The power is of far higher quality than can be purchased from the grid.

This is true. But outside of computer driven uses, who notices ? Even then, who has
quantified the program failures attributed to dirty power as opposed to poor programs ?

> 3. The power is environmentally green and sustainable.

If only "sustainable" was a higher priority than "consumable",  The well meaning  (and $
limited) consumers would be all over the REality of what is available.

So what I've been imaging these last few weeks is some kind of ad campaign (local I
assumed, but...) That targets the folks with disposable income and the fancy homes and
cars.  You know, the ones that flaunt their wealth, and pay dearly for the perception of
security .  They've got alarm systems in their McMansions, drive the big SUVs  for the
improved survivability, and , well, they've got bucks.

So the trick is to add the solar power plant as another must have for the stock market
set.They can brag about how their 4000 sq ft house helps the enviroment by supplementing
(or replacing) their power usage with a PV system for back up or grid tied etc.

Aargh !  Not what I had in mind as I decided to finally get my contractors license and
focus on RE.   Yet as l look around the industry, the economy, and the reality of the
cost/benefit ratio to the average grid connected customer, it seems to be a viable  and
defensible option.

For most folks, an occasional and unannounced power outage lasting hours or a day and
shared by neighbors is hardly justification for a $10,000- $20,000 investment to maintain
hot coffee and cold beer. Unless they are sitting on 10-20 Gs and want to see the light-
with out fail.

So what I am saying is,  glossy ads in upscale rags ( dentist trade journal say) or the
Wall St Journal to stimulate the haves to have RE,  which will stimulate the RE industry
which drives economy of scale, and continues to bring RE within reach of more people.
It would behoove the big corporate PV players to fund this effort as A)  they have the
product to sell, and B) they have the capital and bookeeping to fund and write off the
costs.

Given the acendendacy  of market capitalism in these greed stricken times, it would serve
to spread the reach of RE.

Now if we could just reign in the forces of greed...

Wallace Stahle,  Future Electric Energy Company,  San Luis Obispo, CA. 93406

PS  This wrench list is an awsome addition to my education on RE as I am relatively new in
the professional aspect, having dabbled for five years prior to jumping in with both feet
last year. I've been an electrician for twenty years and this gives new meaning to a trade
that specialises in threading ground up mountains (copper ore) through clearcut forest
products (buildings).  A little gREen wash to cleanse the conscience. Pardon my hand
wringing.    WS

>
>
> >On that note, what are peoples grand strategy for driving this
> >technology mainstream?
> >There is only so much "off the grid " market to be had.
> >
> >How can we make producing your own power renewably, sustainably, as
> >cool as having the biggest SUV on the block?
>
> ------------------------------------
> Richard Perez
> Home Power
> PO Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520  USA
> Tele: 530-475-3179
> FAX: 530-475-0836
> Subscriptions: 800-707-6585
> mailto:richard.perez at homepower.com
> Web: http://www.homepower.com
>
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>
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>
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for info contact: <michael.welch at homepower.com>

_____________________________________________________________
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