So is paying endlessly increasing (due to rate increases) electrical bills.
Where I am, my electrical coop(s) are real crooks. They managed to get into law a requirement for the owner to have a liability insurance policy. The cost of the policy exceeds even the maximum revenue stream for selling power back (+ net excess generation metering) as an IPP (Independent Power Producer 40 KW nameplate capacity or less) under the Minnesota Statute. If you exceed 40Kw nameplate capacity generation you're classified just as they are and have to negotiate a contract, typically at the "avoided cost rate". Which is the lowest priced rate class, and here, about $0.005 per Kwh (That's 1/2 cent per Kwh). They sell regular service power to the retail customer @ $0.1235. Hence my crook comment.
I decided long ago (1999) that it would be a cold day in Hell and the little devils would go skating when they got 1 miliwatt from me. F'em if they can't take a joke.
Oh, and yes, I have a sizable battery bank of U.S, Battery L16HC XC2's (20 Hour Rate: 420) and ~150 lbs each. The first batch of these wore out after 10 years of service, I abused them, else I'd a got 15 years out them.
http://usbattery.com/products/6-volt-batteries/us-l16hc-xc2/ Best "bang-for-the-buck".
To avoid the insurance cost, I run a "hybrid" system. Solar charges the batteries (and a little AirX, which is really just a toy comparatively). If the solar charging system comes up short for the day, I have a Morningstar relay driver that senses battery voltage and turns on some high current (100A each) RV power converters (battery chargers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8MC45E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00) feed by off peak power ($0.048 per Kwh) at night. At 8:30 AM it turns them off in preparation for another solar charging day. This is by far cheaper than running a gas/diesel fueled generator (and a hell of a lot quieter) for "make up" power/charging. The size of the bill at the end of each month is indicative of how "sun shiny" the month was. After 17 years I can pretty much predict what next months bill will be. Even with the converter and inverter losses it's still way cheap power. And I have the peace of mind that everything electrical on the property is UPS'ed.
I've rambled off topic long enough.
I can completely understand this from a be self sufficient / increasing tarrif prices / silly regulations point of view but.... Have you ever done the maths on the total outlay and running / maintenance cost compared to just buying power from the electricity company?
Rich
"... total outlay and running / maintenance cost compared to just buying power from the electricity company?"
Yes, since 1998. I re-evaluate every 6 months or so.
Initially in 1999 the power company gave me an estimate of $20,000+ to run in power to my place (I'm almost a 1/4 mile off the main road and I'm the only customer on my road, which I own). As a submariner (nuc powered) I had been investigating being self sufficient since the late 70's. So needless to say instead of giving them 20 grand I spent it on RE hardware (batteries, solar, wind, genny's, etc.). In Decmber of 2005 I "bit the bullet" and had them connect me to the grid (at a cost of ~$5,000). At the time regular service was $0.055/KWh and off peak was $0.028. I still generated most of the power and bought small amounts from them during peak demands (water heater, electric stove). Then 3 years ago got into BTC mining and became a heavy power purchaser (~$2,500/Month). Recently my power coop announced rate hikes as a result of the EPA's "carbon tax" (CPP Clean Power Plan). This initiated, and is still ongoing, a research endeavor regarding the future pricing and availability of electrical power. Basically my research and analysis to date indicates that within the next 5-10 years electricity will become a luxury item, nationwide. Priced out of the reach for low and middle income wage earners. My renewed self generation fervor revolves around "getting in front of" an impending decrease in quality of life. Survival.
A properly designed renewable generation system,
OVER TIME, will always be cheaper (and OBTW better for the environment) than buying power from an external source. For one simple reason, You're buying power with today's dollars and "locking in" your cost / KWh over the life of the system (15-30 years). As such I am NOT a fan of tax incentives, rebates, or other incentives. Those can disappear and have disappeared with the stroke of a pen and public opinion. An improperly designed system will never break even/pay for it's self. It's real easy to design a system wrong and are typically the systems that fossil fuel generation company's like to broadcast about.
I'm a fan of a particular kind of nuclear power not currently operating here in the US. Thorium fuel cycle molten salt reactors. Having lived for 12 years less than 250 feet away from the core of a LWP (light water pressure) reactor (Nuclear powered submarine) my previous statement comes from experience. LWP's are a problem looking for a place/time to happen. Checkout:
http://www.ted.com/talks/kirk_sorensen_thorium_an_alternative_nuclear_fuel