DEI37

We are looking at getting a generator to power the house, versus relying on Public Service. Rumour has it, and I'm looking in to it a little more, that a homeowner with a generator under 20Kw can send power back on to the grid and receive a credit at the same rate as they would be charged. I'm not going to get one THAT big, thinking more like 10-12Kw.

Question is, where would I really go to find that kind of information, to make sure that I would get that kind of credit, and most importantly, how would I about wiring up something like that so it "spun the meter backwards?"

Also, looking for ideas for generators. Need it to be "cost efficient." Low purchase price, low cost of operation, combined with reliability and fuel efficiency. Also, either diesel or gas. With gas prices that much lower than diesel, and the purchase price being lower, I would think that diesel just wouldn't be a real option, unless it ran non stop.

__________________
Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

Ch'i

Get solar panels. They are a bit pricy (usually the state helps pay for them), but they pay for themselves eventually. They are extreemly low maintenence, generate all day (even when there's cloud cover), and cause near to zero environmental damage. They fit every qualification you asked for save for the price. A friend of mine has a few on his roof, and the eletric company pays him $5 a month, because his power generation spills over to those around him.

Edit: Austailia is making quite a few breakthroughs in solar technology including lower price. I'll make a thread about it.

shakran

I guess I'm confused as to why you want to do this. Do you have THAT many power outages?

Rumor has it correct, but needs some clarification:

1) you must generate ALL of the power that you use that month. Any extra power that you generate will be bought by the power company (not always at the rate you pay - generally it's at the rate THEY pay - you obviously pay more so they can make a profit).

Now what you need to think about is how much gasoline it's going to take to power your house plus send some back. Especially with today's gas prices, I'm guessing you'll be broke in a month But even back when gas was at or under a buck a gallon, it would still have been grossly inefficient - otherwise everyone would have their own generator.


Call the power company and ask them.

They'll want to wire that up for you - and you should let them. You'll be tapping into a very powerful line in order to do this and if you don't know what you're doing you will most likely die.

As others have mentioned, if you want to EFFICIENTLY power your house you need solar. Another good one is to install a wind turbine, but many local ordinances prohibit them.





Also, looking for ideas for generators. Need it to be "cost efficient." Low purchase price, low cost of operation, combined with reliability and fuel efficiency. Also, either diesel or gas. With gas prices that much lower than diesel, and the purchase price being lower, I would think that diesel just wouldn't be a real option, unless it ran non stop.[/QUOTE]

Plaid13

If the powers out that means the grid is down... so you wont be able to send power back to them. If your using a gernerator to power your house nonstop it will cost a whole lot more then just paying for it from the power company. the price wont even compair it will be like 10-20x more a month with the gernerator.

Solar panals on the roof would be the way to go if you dont want a bill. but they tend to cost a few grand to set it all up 10-20 grand for a normal family home for a set up thats enough power for everyone in the house. But then you need to think of the money you save on the bills. But after its all paid for they last a long time. 20-30 years or so i have heard.

Wind turbine can be worth while as well if you live in a windy state and have enough land and no neighbors to bug you about it.

Water turbine if you have a stream flowing fast downhill on your property.


If it was up to me every building would have solar panals covering the whole roof. The whole idea that we still count on burning coal or nuclear energy to get power is just absurd.

Ch'i

That's what I always say! Great minds...

DEI37

I don't know yet about solar. I like the idea, but where does the power get "stored?" We're looking at it not for power outages, though that would be a benefit, but to get rid of Wisconsin Public Service. The company is a total scam artist! That's another story, though. I like the idea of using the wind for power...unless it's not a windy day!

Thanks for the thoughts and input. I forgot I put this up!

__________________
Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

Ch'i

If you get solar panels not only will you be off the grid, but they may end up paying you. As for storage, most solar panels come with a battery/ies, and if not (rare) they are readily available.

This should answer any questions you have.
http://www.solar4power.com/solar-power-basics.html

shakran

Solar and wind power are direct drive systems, which means the power will go straight from the panel to your house. Leftover power is stored in large banks of batteries. Depending on how big of a bank you get, you generally have enough power for overnight or several days of no sun.

thingstodo

Either way you are talking about a large investment. Otherwise, everyone would be doing it.

I have a generator system that kicks in for the whole house when the power is out. It's tied into my switch panel and kicks in after 15 seconds of no power. You can bet I only use what I need to use when that happens. It sure is handy during ice and thunderstorms! Cost about $5K to install and runs off of natural gas but can pretty easily be converted to gasoline.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

Ch'i

I'd be all for a biodeisel generator.

Cynthetiq

our buildings of 1600+ and we have our own steam plant, we did a study and the ROI on generating to sell back is not worth the cost.

BUT for the indepenence from ConEd here in NYC.... it's very much worth it.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.