I posed this question on another forum but didn't get a definite answer.

The topic was about windmills and solar generation.

I'm not quite sure what happens next.
How do you turn the energy you've harnessed into useable electricity?

For instance: do you have a bank of yacht batteries in the basement that charge off a bunch of solar panels on the roof? Do you have one big inverter or an inverter wired to each outlet of your home? Doesn't the system ultimately run at a loss (the power necessary to keep the inverter running whether it draws or not)? Or at a loss because, well, the sun eventually sets.

The only viable solution I got off the other forum was to buy 12 volt accessories. Blenders, fridges, can openers etc that are designed for use in RV's, etc.
Propane powered coolers.

Personally, I am considering (since I have 4 extra good car batteries in my garage), hooking these up to my inverter in the basement (ventilated, of course) just to power my boiler. Should be very low draw but it's the device that kicks on and off the most.
I am thinking about one of those 45 watt solar tender blankets on the roof should keep the battery charged.

Baby steps... but I'm curious how it's done if anyone has an experience.


--Steve

Dude, if you need an electric can opener to survive, you aint gonna make it,..,

Don't think of solar power as replacing all your needs, its one step towards reducing overall use of utility power. The solar array charges up the battery bank, this occurs throughout the day as the sun shines. Using new controllers, those things you have connected to the solar system can draw against the power being generated, as well from the battery bank. Once the sun stops, yes power creation stops, and all draw is from the battery bank. Your total usable power is a function of both how much you can create and how much you can store. Currently I am not a fan for solar to lead acid battery banks. The batteries are too costly and just do not last.  

Other systems can be effective at reducing external power costs:
insulation of the home
use of high efficiency applicances
heat pump if appropriate
ground or water thermal pumps if appropriate


and this is cool: http://www.wimp.com/energyleaf/

I convinced a solar power company to install panels on my roof and I pay monthly to them... $70 for $200 of electricity.

Uhh, Hey, buddy,, you wuldn wanna splain summathat, woodjya?

But you rent from whom? I wanna see if I can land such a deal.

Turn on your best Church Lady


Weeeeell, look what we have Heeere.


Texas: Money for nothin’, Power for free.
Posted on January 21, 2013 by Suzanne Scull      

In Texas, utility solar incentives are generous! If you compare them to the cost per watt for a solar power grid-tied system, you’ll see that some incentives will literally pay for an entire system. Wholesale Solar’s Gridtied Solar Power Systems range from $1.30 to $2.40 per watt. While rebates and incentives in Texas range from $0.75 to $2.50 per watt, the Federal Tax Credit covers about 30% of the cost. Do the math!