Hey all you writer and academic types, I wrote a book too!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter BJ
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Nice. Amazon doesn't show the table of contents, so I can't check whether my local favorite ZNE building is included. It's the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library.


The old building was dark and musty, not pleasant at all. But the new one is light and airy and a delight to visit. We have a temperate climate, but on the coldest days in winter (around 47 degrees F) and the hottest in the summer (maybe 85 degrees) it kept the temperature just right, with no forced-air heating or cooling at all.
 
Hey Ernie - it is - great building. BTW it does have a heating/cooling system...just a very efficient one.
 
Hey Brad- Are there any wineries functioning at zero net energy? I know of a couple that are LEED-certified Gold that are probably close but haven't heard anyone touting their "off-the-grid" potential.

-Eden (someone once pitched me on installing solar panels on my house but when they did the math, based on my current (so to speak) usage and state government incentives and subisidies, it would have paid for itself in 27.5 years)(I didn't proceed with the installation))
 
originally posted by Eden Mylunsch:
Hey Brad- Are there any wineries functioning at zero net energy? I know of a couple that are LEED-certified Gold that are probably close but haven't heard anyone touting their "off-the-grid" potential.

-Eden (someone once pitched me on installing solar panels on my house but when they did the math, based on my current (so to speak) usage and state government incentives and subisidies, it would have paid for itself in 27.5 years)(I didn't proceed with the installation))

Eden - Where are you? You must have gotten that estimate long ago. Solar generally has a 5-15 year payback these days. Generally, it is better to do energy efficiency on your home, but solar actually often has similar rates of return to, say, a bond these days.

We are working with several potential net zero wineries in the US and France, but are under non disclosures with them.
 
originally posted by BJ:
Eden - Where are you? You must have gotten that estimate long ago. Solar generally has a 5-15 year payback these days.
I don't think this is true in New York City, is it? We get a lot of cloud cover, not to mention that roof space isn't very big. (For example, my roof is 20' x 50' but there are four skylights and the roof access door to avoid.)
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
originally posted by BJ:
Eden - Where are you? You must have gotten that estimate long ago. Solar generally has a 5-15 year payback these days.
I don't think this is true in New York City, is it? We get a lot of cloud cover, not to mention that roof space isn't very big. (For example, my roof is 20' x 50' but there are four skylights and the roof access door to avoid.)

Jeff,

Keep in mind that your 20' x 50' roof in Brooklyn is virtually flat. An installation angle of your solar panels can be as great as 72 degrees from horizontal for optimal summer collection. This is assuming that greatest electrical collection is desired at that time of year (AC loads). Installing panels at this tilt greatly increases the effective installation area.

Whatever you can install will help extend the life of or aging and vulnerable electric grid. Decentralization does no have to be limited to just whackos in Waco.
 
originally posted by BJ:

Eden - Where are you? .

(the proverbial question).

Malibu. No AC, no heater in the old condo.Fancy hi-fi that draws lotsa power but not all that much that I need to go off the grid. I do wanna go solar just on the basic principle of the thing, but maybe in the next couple of years.

-Eden (who knows, maybe one of these days I get one a them fancy plug-in cars or something)
 
Eden -

Change all your lighting out to CFLs. Get rid of old TVs and DVRs and pick the best in class from the Energy Star website. Put in a heat pump water heater. If your fridge is old replace it with the best in class from energy star. Then do the solar.
 
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