[mythtv-users] [Slightly OT] solar power for all our gadgets

[Marc MERLIN]

On Sun, Mar 08, 2009 at 06:00:04PM -0700, Brad Fuller wrote:
> On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 5:48 PM, Marc MERLIN <marc_mtv at merlins.org> wrote:
> > Now we're pretty off topic, but the best investment you can do with your
> > money today is solar panels if you have a house: currently in CA with the
> > brand new uncapped federal credits, you can get solar for 50% off.
> >
> > That's what I did and my bill will now be around from now on. It'll take
> > about 5Y for me to break even, and around 8-9Y for the system to pay for
> > itself. From then, on, I get about 20Y of free electricity.
> >
> > Chosing the right solar company was difficult for me. After a lot of
> > research, I recommend Cobalt Power in the bay area. Rusty did a good job for
> > me: rustys at cobaltpower.com
> > More details here:
> > http://marc.merlins.org/perso/blog/2009-01.html#Solar-Panels
> 
> Thanks, I'll store this away.
> There is NO WAY I can afford what they want to put solar panels on my roof!
> But, maybe later

Actually at least half the vendors I talked to had a leasing option where
you just buy electricity from them instead of PG&E after allowing them to
put panels on your roof.
In other words, you don't pay for the install and you pay them a flat
15cent/Kwh or whatever the rate is, which is cheaper than tiers 3-5 from
PG&E.
The other good news is that the said rate will not go up, it'll remain
whatever it is forever, whereas PG&E is raising rates every year.

In other words, solar is an option, even if you can't pay for the system :)

Marc
-- 
"A mouse is a device used to point at the xterm you want to type in" - A.S.R.
Microsoft is to operating systems & security ....
                                      .... what McDonalds is to gourmet cooking
Home page: http://marc.merlins.org/