Reply to thread

I think your power usage is kind of low.  Here is a list of common household power grabbers.  Even the 600W taken over a 24-hour period may be closer to giving you the correct average daily power demand.  However, my electric bill is a heck of a lot higher than $91 per year!

    * Microwave : 600-1500W

    * Dishwasher : 1200-1500W

    * Washing Machine : 500W

    * Vacuum Cleaner : 200-700W

    * Iron : 1000W

    * Electric Mower : 1500W

    * Clothes dryer : 4000W

    * Ceiling Fan : 10-50W

    * Table Fan : 10-25W

    * Laptop Computer : 20-50W

    * Desktop Computer : 200-500W

    * TV (19" color) : 70W

    * Fridge / Freezer : 500W

    * 25" color TV : 150W

    * Electric Kettle : 2000W


Being retired, I spend a lot of time in Indonesia. The electric company here uses electric meters rated by the number of watts that it can handle.  The meter on my house will blow the circuit breaker if electric consumption exceeds 900 watts (vs the average house in the US where the breaker trips at 24,000 watts).


Since every house has the same limit, the stores only sell very efficient appliances and everybody uses fluorescent light bulbs.  Nobody uses appliances like microwave ovens or toaster ovens.  I do have a desktop computer but it is amazing how little electric power we use - especially when the breaker will trip if I someone uses too many appliances at the same time.


So it is possible to reduce electrical consumption significantly if necessity demands it, but still not live like "slumdog"  Still, no one has a solar system because the cost is so high.  The batteries are really expensive because they must be replaced every couple of years.  If someone could find a way of storing electricity other than batteries, then you may have to revisit your calculations. 


Another significant cost are the the inverters and the control devices which supply the house with the proper amount of electricity to meet the ever-changing household demand.  However, unless technology can increase the efficiency and significantly lower the cost of the component parts, individual solar systems for a house will never be cost effective.


I too wish the "green people" would get their heads out of their compost bin and learn how to do some arithmetic to check if their ideas are feasible.


Back
Top