>> Now then, what do you suppose the total area of my roof is? (Are solar 
>> panels even waterproof?!)
> 
> Of course they are waterproof, they are also lots-of-snow and 
> big-lumps-of-ice proof.  Otherwise people wouldn't put them on their 
> roof. FWIW there are different ratings depending on how much snow-load 
> you want to support.

Wait - I thought that was still science fiction? You mean people 
somewhere *actually do this* now??

>> So, let's see... *almost* enough power to run half a vacuum cleaner.
> 
> Sure, but you don't run that very often.

Not in *this* house. ;-) The kettle gets far more use... oh, wait...

> Usually the power company will 
> buy back any excess power you don't use (which I suspect is most of the 
> time when it's sunny), and of course if you need more you can buy it 
> from them too.  I wouldn't be surprised if you got a negative power bill 
> overall without too many panels.

I rather suspect not. Turn on the kettle, the toaster and the microwave 
oven at the same time (not implausible) and you're now sucking down 
double-digit kW values. Plus all those things like the freezer which you 
never, ever turn off. I doubt you can power an entire building full of 
stuff and show a positive net balance for more than an hour or so a day.

Unless you live in the mediterranian, perhaps. (Remember, I live in 
Britain, a nation famous for its rain.)

>> I wonder if it would make a difference living in the Sahara?
> 
> The main difference would be due to how many hours of sunlight you got 
> on average each day, somewhere where it rains the whole time is not 
> likely a good idea.

Actually, I guess the *main* difference would be that if you live in the 
Sahara, you don't give a **** about electricity, but you urgently need 
to find a crapload of water real soon now...

Post a reply to this message