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

[David Brodbeck]

Mark Knecht wrote:
> That's fine, but one guy won't fix the overall problem and why pay
> $40K for a system that eliminates a $1K/year bill? It makes no sense.
> 
> for someone like me in California with very high electricity bills it
> *might* get paid off in 10 years, assuming no additional costs, no
> system failures, no vandalism.

In California it also has another benefit that's perhaps less obvious. 
California has severe peak demand swings caused by air conditioning 
loads -- this is one of the reasons for the rolling blackouts they have 
in the summer.  Solar panels produce the most power precisely when the 
most air conditioning is required.  This has the potential to smooth out 
those demand peaks.