bobo

Leo

old fart

My monthly power bill has always been low, about $20-$25 a month, and $50 at the highest. I minimally use the AC, have compact fluorescents all around, and have energy efficient appliances, but they are mostly natural gas. I got the solar panels because I was going to put in a swimming pool, but I never got around to it. For me, the solar panels will never make financial sense, but I feel it was still the right thing to do, even if I don't get that pool.

I just checked my power bills, and I've actually had the system only 1.5 years. This year I'm going to use the AC more, but I still don't want to waste power.

Awesome.  A few questions...how did your state help you out with the cost of such a system?  Is it hooked up to the grid?  Will your local utility company pay you for the excess energy?

I think all new homes should be forced to have solar panels and individual homeowners should have the ability to hook them up to the grid or not.

I have a 2.5 kW system. As empowah mentioned, it was about $12K, and that was after about $8K in rebates. The house is connected to the grid, meaning that the meter turns backwards during the day feeding power back to the grid. Here's my meter after 2.5 years, and it started at 00000, so it's actually at -3254:

The utility company here does not buy back the electricity, meaning once a year, they get to keep any excess power that is generated.

I've posted pics of my solar panels before:

I'm currently generating about twice the electricity that I use, and I'd consider getting a plug-in hybrid. Some Prius owners have converted their cars to plug-ins.

My neighborhood had a black-out last night for about two hours. I don't have battery backup, but I think I'm going to look into that.

The car has a lot of style in the bland family segment and is much more interesting than the outgoing model. I do agree that the C-pillar is overly messy.

EDFE was a bum deal for real GM employees because the discounts were less than normal. I imagine this was not good for those who depended heavily on GMS sales.

movement

I'd get a Camaro in upmarket trim if it came with a DOHC V-6.

Chlorine

Batman

C&G is now off the link list.

sneezeguard

endless salad

Long Road Home

Hades

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MC. You seem to be more of a coupe kind of guy. The updates have made the car almost handsome. If you get one, please don't take off the spoiler to expose the hump in the decklid.

I let things weigh on me, and there's so much in this world that sucks. So, no.

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organic

In mixed driving:

Silverado: 18 mpg

IS300: 20 mpg

Prelude: 25 mpg

For my next vehicle, I'm tempted to go all-out ecoweenie.

Not horrendous, but not particularly attractive either. It does give GMC a chance to offer a more refined look. Do all trucks need to look like they're pumped full of steroids?

methanol

It's not really an improvement over last year's styling. The front's a little busy, and the reverse lights in the rear bumper make them more vulnerable.