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Old 12-22-2013, 12:16 PM  
crockett
in a van by the river
 
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Join Date: May 2003
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnetron View Post
So ............ why not keep the panels up and just disconnect from the grid?
Most people could never manage that. First they would have to add a large battery bank and that is usually the biggest cost with a off grid solar system. The panels are pretty cheap these days, but the batteries still cost a lot. In fact their prices have gone up.

Another issue is the batteries require maintenance and most people would simply be too lazy to put the effort into that. Last but not least, is most families use way too much power. You aren't going to run 2 or 3 TVs half the day and night, gaming systems and computers as well as full size refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves.. Ect..ect on a off grid system. Most families would have a hard time down sizing their power needs.

People do it, but it's only those that have a low power consumption lifestyle.
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