Utility Solution

I suggest, where possible, moving every home off the utility grid to an OFF-GRID System solution. If this is too costly, then consider a GRID-TIE System solution as a way of banking surplus energy as a credit and drawing it back when needed.

Passive Boxes

Face it, our homes are passive boxes. They do nothing to generate electrical energy or recycle water and waste. Our homes depend entirely on the electric, gas, and water companies to run them, much like someone on a life support system. This has been this way for too long and now it's time to change the way we live in our boxes.

We need to be more like the International Space Station, which generates all of its own energy, recycles waste and water and much more. While recycling systems are not in reach for most of us we can address electrical alternatives such as solar, wind, and turbine alternative energy.

Energy Robbery

Energy robbing hogs:

  • Refrigerators, dish and clothes washers, pool pumps, electric heating and air.

Motor technology advancements remain mundane. The above are the major energy hogs.

Phantom Loads:

A phantom load (energy vampire) is any appliance or electronic thing that still uses a little energy when turned off. According to Cornell University phantom loads add $200 annually to your utility bill.

  • See Conservation regarding phantom loads and what to do about them.

Roof Top Energy Generation

The roof area is there:

  • A 500 square foot roof (about 22.36 feet x 22.36 feet) can support a 5 kW solar pv system. If a home's roof is 40 x 60 feet, then that's about 2,400 square feet of solar collection area able to support around a 24 kW solar pv system. This system is based on today's solar panel efficency of around 15 - 20%. Within ten years 65% efficency will become reality.

Hmmm, sounds like we have the roof area. With all the energy, one could live with some waste and still have energy to sell back. Lets not forget the environmental contribution made as well!

Well, since we have the roof area, and all the homes, then we can generate more than enough energy to address our individual energy needs.