A Solar Boom So Successful, It's Been Halted
 

Full story http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...ts-been-halted

Photovoltaics proved so successful in Hawaii that the local utility, HECO, has instituted policies to block further expansion

"William Walker and his wife, Mi Chong, wanted to join what's seen as a solar revolution in Hawaii. Shortly after buying their Oahu home earlier this year, they plunked down $35,000 for a rooftop photovoltaic system.

The couple looked forward to joining neighbors who had added panels, to cutting their $250 monthly power bills and to knowing they were helping the environment.

Their plans shifted the day after the PV panels went up in early October. The Walkers learned from a neighbor about a major change in the local utility's solar policy. It led to those 18 panels sitting dormant nearly three months later.

Hawaiian Electric Co., or HECO, in September told solar contractors on Oahu that the island's solar boom is creating problems. On many circuits, the utility said, there's so much solar energy that it poses a threat to the system and a safety issue. Studies are needed on whether grid upgrades are necessary. If they are, residents adding solar must foot the bill. And starting immediately, contractors and residents would need permission to connect most small rooftop systems to the grid."

Story continued http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...ts-been-halted

Can't have people producing too much energy. Could be used to help terrorists.

Somebody call my Mama!! I mean Obama...

apple thinks its a pretty good idea.
http://gigaom.com/2013/12/20/north-c...der-this-year/

and so does google
http://mashable.com/2013/11/14/google-solar-plants/

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.

because then they dont make money.

I wish I had to much energy produced from my own solar panels. Shit my electric bills are almost $600 a month.

This is true. The current US gov. is spending so much money to attempt to debunk Solar Energy it's not even funny.

We have 8 panels running one of our houses, without the aid of public utilities.

The US Gov is lobbied by private corporations demanding that everyone pay them for utilities.

Hey Obama, FUCK YOU and all of your lobbied utility companies! We have state of the art solar and you can go fuck yourself!

How many panels and batteries are you currently operating?



You nailed it right on the head. Luckily I come from a mechanically inclined family and far from lazy.
The batteries do cost. I buy the batteries from Schools and older business complexes being renovated or torn down, cheap.

What is your current setup?

How many panels and what battery setup?