With (only) rooftop solar you’re still dependent at night, and during the day when it’s cloudy.
Comment on The US electrical grid is in desperate need of upgrades, watchdog warns
guyrocket@kbin.social 1 year ago
With rooftop solar I get to be the asshole that doesn't care about the grid.
And you too can be an asshole!
fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.world 1 year ago
guyrocket@kbin.social 1 year ago
You are correct. I am on the grid instead of having a battery.
But any minute I might just buy a battery!
Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 1 year ago
FYI, right now LiFePo server rack style batteries seem to be the best bang for your buck. If I had the money, I would buy the EG4 or similar.
sanimalp@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Whoa awesome! signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepower4-lithium-batteri… this just went way up on my list… Thanks for the post!
sanimalp@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Same boat, looking into this now…
remotelove@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
I would love to get it, but I am getting hounded two or three times a weekend by door-to-door solar salespeople.
It’s always the same shit routine they pull about saying they are just passing the word about some change the power company just did or something. They supposedly just want to give a “consultation” about what that means and they are __ not trying to sell me anything.
If their blatant trespassing didn’t already piss me off, their bullshit faux consultation pitch absolutely does.
The end result? I really don’t want anything to do with any solar company, at all. It’s a shame, TBH. I really don’t want to start shopping for solar in full defense mode like I am about to buy a used car. The sales people in that industry have absolutely fucked it for me.
guyrocket@kbin.social 1 year ago
That really is unfortunate. Maybe if you found and chose a company yourself...?
remotelove@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
True. If there is a positive to my rant, it’s that I am getting a list of companies not use.
aBundleOfFerrets@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
Buying used panels and mounting them yourself can be very cost effective, you would only need to hire an electrician. Of course be aware of local code regarding such things.
ikidd@lemmy.world 1 year ago
diysolarforum.com
Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Lots of great content there! If you are remotely a DIYer and have the means, do a lot of the solar install yourself and hire pros to ensure your safe/ connect to grid if needed.
UndercoverUlrikHD@programming.dev 1 year ago
If the US got similar problems as Norway, you should still care as there is a lot of energy wasted on transferring it from A to B.
altima_neo@lemmy.zip 1 year ago
Aren’t they expensive as Frick though?
AceBonobo@lemmy.world 1 year ago
They pay for themselves, how long changes by area
altima_neo@lemmy.zip 1 year ago
Yeah, but I mean aren’t they the price of a small used car? My bill averages $100 a month, except in winter when it doubles. That’s a looong time for it to pay itself off.
guyrocket@kbin.social 1 year ago
Solar panels? They keep getting cheaper. And great federal rebate on them now in the US. I think it's 30%?
0110010001100010@lemmy.world 1 year ago
The orientation of my house sucks and our neighborhood has many old growth trees. I wish I could be that asshole, but after running the numbers I don’t even break even over the expected lifespan of the panels. :(
SuiXi3D@kbin.social 1 year ago
Stick a windmill up there, that aughta do it!
ElPussyKangaroo@lemmy.world 1 year ago
If that ain’t enough, get a nuclear plant installed in your backyard 😤💯
0110010001100010@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Tiny lot + aforementioned old growth trees means that’s also not viable. :( My “best” option (which I have) is a nat gas backup generator for when the grid goes down. It’s expensive, and very much NOT a clean energy source, but it’s what I have to work with. I work 100% from home and need full-time power.
guyrocket@kbin.social 1 year ago
Your right! There are many kinds of renewables.
Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 1 year ago
*you’re right.
Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 1 year ago
*wind turbine