Josh's posts

Summer here has been pretty hot, so the air has been cranked most of the time.  This computer is always on, which will eventually not be the case.  We have lights that are always on as well as some 'ghost' drainage in the form of tv's(on or off), and the fact this house is 60+ years old makes for a marked increase in use of the AC/heating.

I've read up on different forms of heating and cooling and I'm hoping that some of the plans I've seen can be implemented.  I've been reading up at the local Borders book store on building more efficiently, greener, etc...as well as searching out as many alternatives as possible.  Its probably why I'm brain-swamped...too many concepts at once...

I know I'm probably never going to be near the 100% efficient mark, but thats normal stubbornness I guess.  The closer I can be, tho, the better.

As you've mentioned(and through my relatively random research) money spent toward using less energy can save so much more in the long run.  I'm looking into everything from the LED and/or florescent lighting I've mentioned earlier, induction cooktops(90% energy efficient compared to standard which is only 50-60% efficient), use of natural lighting whenever/wherever possible, better appliances either energystar certified or of equivalent quality, and, as mentioned earlier, more efficient methods of heating and air conditioning.  That's not going to be the end of it, but, instead, a beginning.

I'm even going to be doing most of the work on the house.  The more I do, the better.  I'm looking forward to it as I will be getting back to something I enjoy as well as having an opportunity to learn a whole lot more.

this last month's average was shy of 1400kwh or 48kwh daily.  what will eventually become home 2.0, I imagine that even tho I may have some more draining electronics around, I will invest in the goods that will hopefully counter that a little ...florescent or LED lighting, (i've seen) solar water pumps, tankless water heaters, etc...end result...possibly an average of about 1500kwh monthly usage.

average in winter is 700kwh, but we are tied in with gas...so if a decent guess can be generated from an average hot summer month.  ...and i'm usually one to try and have extra in reserve if need be...

i guess thats about it for now.  gotta step out, but i will check on what you already have up and see what kinda stuff i can learn.

thanks for your time

-josh

Hey all,
First and foremost, I'd like to extend my appreciation and thanks for anyone taking the time out of their day to read and/or respond to this post.  I will try to be quick and to the point with the questions buzzing in my over-tired brain...

--to start--
as per DSIRE's site, NJ's limit on system size is 2MW, and as per the site...

-    New Jersey's net-metering rules and interconnection -standards apply to all residential and commercial systems -that generate electricity using solar technologies, wind, -fuel cells, geothermal technologies, wave or tidal action, -landfill gas, or sustainable biomass. The maximum -individual system capacity is two megawatts (MW). There is -no aggregate limit on net metering. Many supporters of -distributed generation believe that New Jersey has the best -standards for net metering in the United States. 
-
-A single metering arrangement is preferred. A -customer-generator receives credit at the utility's full -retail rate for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) generated. Net -excess generation (NEG) is carried over to the following -month as a kWh credit. At the end of an annualized period, -the utility must compensate the customer for any remaining -NEG credits at the utility's avoided-cost rate. 
-
-Customers eligible for net metering retain ownership of all -renewable-energy credits (RECs) associated with the -electricity they generate. Customers with photovoltaic (PV) -systems may apply to the New Jersey Board of Public -Utilities (BPU) to participate in New Jersey's Solar -Renewable Energy Certificates (S-RECs) program, which -tracks and verifies solar certificates, and allows the -certificates to be sold on-line to electric suppliers to -meet suppliers' solar renewable portfolio standard -requirements. 

--end of copy/paste stuff--

I'm looking to set up a hybrid PV/Wind system and, hopefully, generate some money from it...the more the better.  Yet, despite my research to date, I draw a blank on the math/science of it all...  I know kw x hours = kwh, but how does this translate into the NJ limit(or any state for that matter)?

What started this whole thing is a newspaper article I read a while back involving a person who is now generating a $200 paycheck on a monthly basis(not sure if this is 'average' or actual month to month).  My family is looking to move(or lose the home to Eminent Domain if we don't act quickly enough) and set something up where we(including a couple elderly with financially straining needs) can earn as much extra as possible...and this seems to be the way.  I've read up on different incentives ranging from REC's, rebates, etc. and while the initial cost is steep, the 'over-time' payout is what we're gambling on.

With that whole mess out of the way, the basic hope, and basis for the questions I've presented is...I'd like to figure out what I can do...

I know I come across as sounding ignorant(and I am) of a number of facts...which is why I'm hoping to be able to discuss some of these things with someone doing something somewhat similar to my eventual task(if possible) and glean some wisdom out of all this.

I'm sure I can go off spending a hundred grand or so setting up a field of this stuff and then find out that I over-did the whole thing, spent too much...or too little...went about it all wrong, etc.

So, to wrap this all up(and apologize for taking so much time up), anyone with the patience to deal with me(I'm not a complete idiot) and possibly illuminate the shady spots in my understanding...well...I already am most thankful you've reached this far...

Thank you all so much for your time.

Looking forward to your response(s),
Josh