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Solar Companies Seek Ways to Build an Oasis of Electricity

Wall Street Journal -- When Hurricane Sandy wiped out the power in areas like coastal Long Island and the Jersey Shore, what should have been beacons of hope — hundreds of solar panels glinting from residential rooftops — became symbols of frustration.

Despite the popular perception that installing solar panels takes a home “off the grid,” most of those systems are actually part of it, sending excess power to the utility grid during the day and pulling electricity back to run the house at night. So when the storm took down power lines and substations across the Northeast, safety systems cut the power in solar homes just like everywhere else.

“Here’s a $70,000 system sitting idle,” said Ed Antonio, who lives in the Rockaways in Queens and has watched his 42 panels as well as those on several other houses in

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Submitted Nov 21, 2012 By: LetemEatCake

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 6:27:36 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse solar is definitely a way to reduce wasted energy use. And it might even help after natural disasters. Just need to figure out how to power after the link to the power companies has been cut.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:7,252 Points:1,739,755 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 22, 2012 1:16:47 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse There needs to be a off grid switch installed with the solar panels.
sjf238 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,215 Points:647,205 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 22, 2012 1:05:02 PM Ignore sjf238 Report Abuse OK.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,954 Points:2,343,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 22, 2012 3:02:33 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Solar Companies Seek Ways to Build an Oasis of Electricity but when the electrical grid goes down, so does the solar panel system supply. When installing a solar panel system make sure the option of powering the house separately, with dedicated outlets, from the solar panel system is installed too. For those that have an EV, they can power their house, with limitations, from the vehicle battery. Install wind turbines on the house roof to capture wind electrical energy when the wind is blowing too. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:7,893 Points:1,773,295 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 22, 2012 12:56:56 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse I don't understand the point of the article. Yes, the solar panels provide power during daylight and there's no power at nighttime.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,064 Points:1,446,375 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 9:36:22 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse The southwest has lots of sun just ready for converting to electricity.
RitaVespa Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,966 Points:789,335 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 8:55:34 PM Ignore RitaVespa Report Abuse Hmmm...
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,203,580 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 8:49:57 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Thanks everyone for your great comments!
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,515 Points:532,260 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 3:41:59 PM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Another "doh!" Moment
Catfish93001 Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,200 Points:247,205 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 3:20:18 PM Ignore Catfish93001 Report Abuse Another opportunity for innovation!
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,098 Points:820,470 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 2:48:46 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse A waste of taxpayer money.
Soglaos Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:2,770 Points:736,485 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 2:28:35 PM Ignore Soglaos Report Abuse ok
katiejayWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,893 Points:739,400 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:50:43 PM Ignore katiejayWV Report Abuse nigelb. This right winger believes in climate change, just NOT man made climate change like you left wing whack jobs.
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,190 Points:1,930,770 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:40:25 PM Ignore sit Report Abuse as long as my tax dollars don't go towards it.
Meridethkun Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:156 Points:16,905 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:30:42 PM Ignore Meridethkun Report Abuse Must be frustrating.
middlegrey Rookie Author Wisconsin Posts:99 Points:425,925 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:29:37 PM Ignore middlegrey Report Abuse yeah...
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,444 Points:1,388,830 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:29:00 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse Hopefully this is a once in a lifetime event, although with global climate change it might not be. I know the Reich Wingers will deny climate change but it is a fact and the proof will be more frequent storms like Sandy.
cricket48750 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:792 Points:411,630 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:27:28 PM Ignore cricket48750 Report Abuse GO GO GO!!!
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,588 Points:2,137,530 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:25:18 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse Interesting.
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,048 Points:1,076,480 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:15:55 PM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse Too bad.
CheckitoutGuy Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,311 Points:769,590 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:15:30 PM Ignore CheckitoutGuy Report Abuse Hummmmmm!
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:19,735 Points:2,148,655 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:12:13 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Not very good for them.
redbeard47229 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:675 Points:43,045 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:10:18 PM Ignore redbeard47229 Report Abuse Another bs lie from the administration
cisson All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:516 Points:382,860 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:06:14 PM Ignore cisson Report Abuse well DUH!!
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,255 Points:282,495 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:04:42 PM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I have often wondered why Arizona isn't entirely solar powered. It must be too expensive?
repeater1 Champion Author Topeka Posts:8,293 Points:2,363,870 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:04:35 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Solar is still too expensive for the average working man to install.
Car54BC08 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,244 Points:1,508,390 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:03:20 PM Ignore Car54BC08 Report Abuse Nothing wrong with being self sufficient
gasoutherneagle Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,249 Points:737,410 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:02:12 PM Ignore gasoutherneagle Report Abuse Listen, many solar sales representative are nothing more than the house siding guys from the late fifty's. The idea is worthy, but it is still a big con job!
GreenLegend Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,640 Points:398,385 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:01:24 PM Ignore GreenLegend Report Abuse It is truly moronic that these systems are not capable of being used in isolation. Duh! Jeez, install a transfer switch already.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,191 Points:788,240 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:00:47 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse I hope they can ....
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,706 Points:598,415 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 1:00:40 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse An "oasis"...?
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,515 Points:3,076,915 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:59:22 PM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Obama will find some way of giving away solar panels to any and all who have supported his reelection.
Wes1972 All-Star Author California Posts:650 Points:318,160 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:55:47 PM Ignore Wes1972 Report Abuse "popular perception" is another way of saying people are clueless and uneducated when they bought into the solar dream. I didn't think there were people that would spend $70k and not understand what theu bought. I'm sure the clueless cry babies will figure a way for Obama a friends to give them free battery systems at taxpayer expense. Their next complaint will be all the danger the hazardous batteries are forcing into their lives.
No1ConMan Champion Author Memphis Posts:1,005 Points:212,240 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:50:14 PM Ignore No1ConMan Report Abuse What a joke if not for all of the surrounding devastation.
DeeLA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,802 Points:1,362,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:46:46 PM Ignore DeeLA Report Abuse Okay,
northerntruckgu Veteran Author Ontario Posts:495 Points:130,910 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:43:36 PM Ignore northerntruckgu Report Abuse ok
WTLITNG Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,844 Points:1,013,245 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:43:33 PM Ignore WTLITNG Report Abuse Another handout in the works.
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,076 Points:1,817,970 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:43:18 PM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse A sucker is born every minute
SteveSeattle All-Star Author Seattle Posts:540 Points:170,130 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:41:42 PM Ignore SteveSeattle Report Abuse Do they have electricity for the day time?
CTarp Champion Author Texas Posts:1,234 Points:606,355 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:40:54 PM Ignore CTarp Report Abuse Waste
papou Champion Author Tampa Posts:10,869 Points:1,903,410 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:38:21 PM Ignore papou Report Abuse sure obama will give them free money ?
derek84us All-Star Author Rochester Posts:711 Points:39,525 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:36:50 PM Ignore derek84us Report Abuse surprise!
bigdipperMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,502 Points:534,725 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:36:27 PM Ignore bigdipperMS Report Abuse The technology is just not there yet to make solar economical in all but a very few instances.
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:2,802 Points:751,910 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:34:11 PM Ignore radiorumor Report Abuse You don't mess with Mother Nature
bluetruck54 Champion Author Quad Cities Posts:1,460 Points:440,835 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:31:54 PM Ignore bluetruck54 Report Abuse solar can still make sense, but you need to understand that the payback is years away: just like a hybrid vehicle. with a large upfront cost, there actually might never be a payback, or with a car, if you don't keep it 5 years, you're just wasting money. storage continues to be the big hangup. a really big battery, that doesn't cost more than your house, has yet to hit the market.
bearzz Champion Author California Posts:1,417 Points:416,645 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:28:06 PM Ignore bearzz Report Abuse Oops alright.
OldMoses All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:744 Points:55,760 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:27:36 PM Ignore OldMoses Report Abuse Can't get much greener than freezing your ass off and sitting in the dark.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,730 Points:1,415,690 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:26:17 PM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse Oops! How about a big battery?
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,745 Points:1,215,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:25:20 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse You still need wires and poles, to late to go under ground, you need livable housing, you can't go to the store and bring a bag full home.
pickledude72 Champion Author California Posts:1,120 Points:835,495 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2012 12:22:08 PM Ignore pickledude72 Report Abuse hunh?