About 5 years ago I set up a simple 12V DC system with a car battery and solar panel. The battery was fairly new when I installed it, but it has been weakening more and more lately. Finally during the big cold snap this winter, the system died and I am hoping it was just the battery and not the panel. I still need to check it out with a volt meter and run through the system to find the problem.
This system powered some emergency lights and equipment along with chargers for all household devices. Basically for use until I got the gas generator up and running during an outage. When I began that project I was against the idea of feeding any energy I produced into the grid if I ever produced that kind of power. After reading your thread, it sounds like it will become mandatory. I don't like the idea of basically paying for the energy I create only to have the utility company take a cut and continue to charge a fee for the monthly hookup.
ETA: I forgot to mention that the zoning in my area requires an electric utility hookup for occupancy, otherwise they will condemn your dwelling and kick you off your own property. This, of course, supports the theories presented in the thread. You must remain hooked up and contribute to the grid or be removed.
A scarier thought has just emerged. When I was studying my electric billing online, I looked over the pie chart for my electric usage. Now, I had filled out the form about what electric appliances I am using, so I thought that must be how they determine what is using what. Actually, that may have helped but what they really do is use an AI program to figure out how you are using your energy. So, the smart meter can not only record your kilowatt hours and shut you off in a moments notice, but it knows what you are doing with the energy. The information travels along the lines on the poles and I'm not sure how that network of signals may work.
This system powered some emergency lights and equipment along with chargers for all household devices. Basically for use until I got the gas generator up and running during an outage. When I began that project I was against the idea of feeding any energy I produced into the grid if I ever produced that kind of power. After reading your thread, it sounds like it will become mandatory. I don't like the idea of basically paying for the energy I create only to have the utility company take a cut and continue to charge a fee for the monthly hookup.
ETA: I forgot to mention that the zoning in my area requires an electric utility hookup for occupancy, otherwise they will condemn your dwelling and kick you off your own property. This, of course, supports the theories presented in the thread. You must remain hooked up and contribute to the grid or be removed.
A scarier thought has just emerged. When I was studying my electric billing online, I looked over the pie chart for my electric usage. Now, I had filled out the form about what electric appliances I am using, so I thought that must be how they determine what is using what. Actually, that may have helped but what they really do is use an AI program to figure out how you are using your energy. So, the smart meter can not only record your kilowatt hours and shut you off in a moments notice, but it knows what you are doing with the energy. The information travels along the lines on the poles and I'm not sure how that network of signals may work.
A trail goes two ways and looks different in each direction - There is no such thing as a timid woodland creature - Whatever does not kill you leaves you a survivor - Jesus is NOT a bad word - MSB