DocAndersen
Even if you go full solar or full wind power you will, however, still need a connection to the power grid. It becomes your last-ditch emergency power system. The other thing to consider is the reality of power. You are going to produce more power than you consume frequently. From the sunrise to sunset, your solar system will generate power. Every time the wind blows, your wind turbine will generate power. At someone point, after a few days, your batteries will be fully charged. Your battery system needs to have enough power to operate your house for 2, 3, or 4 days without the Solar system or wind turbine working.
At one point, though, you will reach full charge. You can continue to trickle-charge your battery system, but in reality, you need to do something with the extra power. I started this article by talking about the concept of Transactive Energy or TE. The other side of what TE provides you, the proud Microgrid owner is the ability to do something with that power you generate that is beyond what you need to charge your batteries, beyond what you need to heat or school or house. Beyond what you need to watch the Super Bowl or to enjoy a movie or surf the internet.
What happens to that power? Well, if there is a Transactive Energy law in your state, region, or country. The power company will buy that energy and reuse it. They will take what you overproduce and move it to your neighbor’s house. Your neighbor will pay the commercial rate in your area for power (anywhere from 15 to 20 centers per Kilowatt). The power company will pay you the whole rate for power in your area (anywhere from 6 to 12 cents per Kilowatt hour).
If you have a battery system, where you do not consume power from the power grid, you will end up with a credit. The power company may keep that credit on your account or send you a check normally once a quarter. If your solar system has an issue (cables break, panels break), you still have the battery. If you can’t solve the problem in the time you have battery coverage, you can use those credits for power. If you don’t have a battery, your system will power your home during the daylight hours and use the power grid to keep things warm or cool in your house during the night hours.
Today there are places in the world that support a TE model. But be aware that not all countries, states, regions, or places where people support TE today. The other thing is that not all power companies have replaced the power meter at your house with the newer digital power meters. You need a digital meter even to consider power moving from your home to the power grid. You can still have a Solar or Wind turbine, and reduce your carbon footprint and your home power bill. But without a digital meter, and without TE laws in your location, you won’t get paid for your extra power.
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Question of
If we each do a little, that will help a lot, right?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
have you read Ellie’s excellent piece on plastic bags?
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Yes
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No
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It was very informative for me – didn’t know about TE model. Support green energy at 100%!!!
it is critical otherwise power companies get free power, and make profit off the green of others!
I wonder how much is the cost of solar-run power to sufficiently supply a household with electricity.
that depends, anywhere from free (leased) to 30,000 US.
Free, or leased is provided, and you then pay a wholesale rate for your power (reducing your electricity bill and carbon impact!)
Well, I think its a great idea we have the option of using solar and wind power. We have hydroelectric power and thermal power.
With the extra power in the power grid it can go on to charge future electric cars.
What I see on the horizon is the need for recharging places for future electric powered cars and the extra power is very much needed.
i agree. I wrote an article many years ago now, about the need for a build a tall building you must be solar on the roof rule!
I wish we had those facilities in place here. I will go and read Ellies post.
lots of places are moving fast in the Solar and Wind space. Hopefully, everyone catches up!!!
Very interesting. Thanks for writing this.
thanks pal – I wish there were more things we could do to help!
Q: IF WE EACH DO A LITTLE, THAT WILL HELP A LOT, RIGHT?
Yes (10 votes) – 100%
Q: HAVE YOU READ ELLIE’S EXCELLENT PIECE ON PLASTIC BAGS?
Yes (4 votes) – 40%
No (6 votes) – 60%
Ellie’s piece on plastic bags was great and I think there is much to be said for making use of solar paneling.
it really points out that overall this is a global issue!
I don’t think we have any similar law in our country yet. We are only at the beginning of this process.
are you part of the EU? if you are, you do! if not, then you are in the same boat I am in.
Yes, we are in the European Union
then you do have at least part of the law. the specifics are different by EU nation but the framework is there.
Very informative series! I like this approach of everyone doing as much as they can, and not looking at it as an “everything or nothing” kind of situation. Nowadays, it’s difficult to live without leaving any negative impact on the enviorment, and many people don’t even try to, because they see it as a lost cause. Thank you for the mention!
i am going fo focus on moving forward and being positive. finding ways for everyone to do a little bit seems the best way forward!!!
I agree, and I am happy that this approach is getting more popular lately.
it is critical to be moving forward and trying to be positive.
Yes I did read Ellie’s post and it was a good one. Solar panels seems the way to go.
i figured many had read that great post! Solar really feels solid for many!
In our country, plastic bags have been strictly prohibited for some time …. use is criminal
that is a great first step! that is all we can do, take small steps!
We are making small steps for the airline, but more and more are flying …. I read that the planes are one of the biggest boosters …. let the airline be canceled which of course will not happen …. I won’t do my life as much damage as makes her fly in half an hour
automobiles are much larger overall in terms of production than planes are. But planes are bad.
This is a problem that is not so easy and will soon be solved
it is a problem that has been talked about for a long time. but nothing is done.
My husband and I get to see many turbines when we head toward Denver, Colorado to see his children and grandchildren. I love to watch them spin and spin. They are very useful!
they are all over northern Indiana as well! I agree they are so cooL!!!
I have not read Eli’s post about plastic bags. But I see the sea throwing away cool plastic junk. I don’t know what kind of digital meter I have. All I know is that they replaced the old with the new. They are all put together in one place for all apartments. We do not have access to this room.
i suspect with an apartment they did a digital meter because it is easier to separate the various electrical charges!
a link to ellies article
https://virily.com/virily_poll/what-do-you-do-with-plastic-bags/
I have been looking for “Ellie’s excellent piece on plastic bags” but have yet to find it – I would like to!
sure – it is a great piece
https://virily.com/virily_poll/what-do-you-do-with-plastic-bags/
In the UK it is the usual practice for excess energy generated by solar panels (etc) to be sold to the National Grid.
Honestly I think the UK and the EU are 3 to 5 years ahead of the US in this.
That would not surprise me. The US – or prominent people in it – has been at the forefront of climate change denial for a very long time, and still is.
President Obama was one of the original leaders of the Paris Accord.
it has only been the recent past that we had that issue.