Power from the sun
My web friend Sabahat wanted to know how we went about deciding to go solar and where we got our information. Instead of answering Sabahat privately, I’ve decided to blog about the process.
Because we are both very strong people, my husband and I take on projects, which are ours to do without interference from the other. This was my husband’s project so I’m telling you what I observed, not what I did.
We have always been interested in solar energy. I remember in college our Environmental Science class took simple solar cells out on the lawns to observe them working and to see what happened when you shaded them or covered them. It was an easy experiment and the simplicity of it has always stayed with me.
We live in sunny Southern California. We have many sunny days and a long south-facing roof on which to put solar panels.
Buying solar in the midst of a recession was not an easy decision for a retired couple on a fixed income. However, we liked the idea of being relatively independent of the electric company. We buy our electricity on the basis of tiers, each tier costing more than the previous one. Currently, we are paying for our electrical use at the fifth tier and our electricity is very expensive. By using solar energy, not only will we get have the benefits of solar, we will also bring our electricity usage down to the first or second tier where electricity is much, much cheaper. So we will buy less electricity (stupendously less), the electricity we do buy will cost us less.
The government is offering incentives and will give us a tax rebate for a good portion of the cost. We have missed the deadline for a larger rebate, but felt we needed more time to learn and debate.
The first thing we learned was solar power may be simple, but collecting solar energy to make electricity is a little more difficult.
My husband went to solar seminars given by local governments. These seminars are given hoping to excite you about solar without having to field a sales pitch.
Do your research. My husband spent many hours on the web learning all he could about solar energy. Then he spent a lot of time researching solar energy companies in our area.
We made a short list of companies who might fit our needs. We contacted them and asked for information. This process was enlightening. Some people were eager to send information and some were not. (We could ask why?) Others wanted to sell us solar energy from the comfort of their offices and not even come out to talk to us.
We shortened the short list immediately by eliminating anyone who seemed to just want to “sell something” from the office.
We invited the interesting companies to come out and visit our home and give us an estimate of costs. In all, about five companies sent a representative to talk to us about their product. We gave them the time they wanted to tell us about their product. My husband generated a list of questions to ask to be sure that each person covered the topics interesting to us.
On the basis of the visits, we narrowed the short list to two. One person was eliminated after a most informative talk simply because their estimate was thousands of dollars more than the other estimates. We liked her company’s product, but felt her estimate wasn’t competitive.
We subscribe to Angie’s List. This is a list that allows subscribers to see reviews of contractor’s work and provide feedback if they use the company. As an example, we located our last two candidates on Angie’s list and read what other customers had to say about them as well as the contractor’s response to that review. The company we selected did have one bad review, but after reading the contractor’s response we felt that the problem had been resolved correctly. In addition, my husband asked the contractor to explain the bad review. It was explained to our satisfaction. Angie’s List also has a link to the Better Business Bureau so you can check them too.
After looking at our finances and considering the contractor’s offers we chose one and put down a small deposit. (This deposit is limited by law in California.) Reviewing our finances was important because we had several options and we chose the one that seemed to fit our situation best.
A rep came out today to measure the roof for solar panels. We will be using 40+ panels and are fortunate to have enough roof to handle them.
So, yesterday a tree guy came out to cut down the large pepper tree that has shaded the south side of our home because it was shading the roof. It was a sad day, but necessary. Any shade on the solar panels causes ALL of the solar panels to generate electricity. In this case, we need the sun.
Today the solar company came out to do a detailed examination of our roof and our electrical box. He measured the roof so they can plan where to put the panels. They plan to leave a 2 ft margin at the top of the roof. This space is left bare so that in case of fire the firemen can break through the roof to fight the fire. (Note that any fire would not be cause by the solar panels.) Again, leaving the 2-ft. margin is a matter of law, not of choice.)
So, that’s where we are today. I’ll keep updating what’s going on so check back. Check the Solar Category.
Marilynne
I’ve realized that, for me, I can’t hide from the world and write. I could hide, but I wouldn’t write a lot. I need the stimulation of things happening and people around me. I tend to think about my writing while I go about my day (and sometimes while I sleep). I just haven’t learned to sit at a keyboard and think about these things. I don’t do stagnant thinking.
So, I’m going to begin posting again. I’m summer busy and that should help.
Marilynne
Do you know anyone who’s had shingles? Probably not if you’re young, but at my age you know someone who has suffered from them. From what I hear it’s a miserable experience.
Gringo Costumes
We vacationed in Cancun, Mexico one summer. Our hosts owned a lovely time share and invited us to share it for two weeks. It was a pleasant visit, marred in part because the wife was suffering from shingles. I got a close up account. She was either in a lot of pain or she was wiped out from her pain meds. I thought she took too many pain meds, but I wasn’t the one suffering the pain. I have to go on her assessment.
Not only did she have a painful rash, but some people didn’t want to be around her. Some people shouldn’t be around some with shingles and those are people who have never had chicken pox. Strange as it may seem, you can get chicken pox from someone who has shingles. So, as it happened both my husband and I had chicken pox as children and weren’t in danger of catching shingles from her. Most of the time I didn’t even think about it.
However, having had the chicken pox as a child, I am now a candidate for shingles. The virus sometimes hides in your body, later to emerge as shingles, not chicken pox.
When the subject came up at the doctor’s office today, I remembered clearly my friend’s pain and her feeling of being contagious to others. I also remembered how long my mother had it, and how often she’d complain about the pain. She wasn’t a complainer, if she said it hurt, it was notable.
When the doctor brought it up, I agreed to have a shingles shot – one to keep me from getting shingles. It was fairly painless until the insurance specialist told me my insurance wouldn’t pay for it and it cost $200.00! TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS?????? I was amazed, but I went through with it anyway. If I came down with shingles, the insurance company would pay. I guess my potential pain and inconvenience isn’t a factor. The office has agreed to put in for it anyway. You never know with insurance companies, do you?
Marilynne
It comes under the category of distractions, but seeing my grandson finish his Marine Boot Camp is right up there with the good things. His mother, our daughter, came from Washington State to stay with us and attend the Family Day and Graduation Ceremony. It was convenient to live close enough to just whiz down to the MCRD in San Diego and whiz back home when things were done.
New Marine and Marine Mom. Notice at ease positions.
Here’s our new Marine and his Mom just after he found us in the crowd. It was interesting to watch him relax as the afternoon wore on and he was enjoying his on-base liberty.
This afternoon, after he graduates he and his Mom are flying home together. After Boot Camp I suspect he is really looking forward to being home again, if only for a short time.
My husband and the grandson had an interesting talk about boot camp since my husband had been here for Navy Boot Camp in 1956 and now his Grandson is also here in 2009 when it’s now a Marine training center.
Let’s get nostalgic for a moment and take a look at the grandson when he was little.
Walking our dog
You can see he’s barely bigger than the dog, but even then he was a take-charge kind of guy. He liked to be the leader – even if it was just the dog or his little sister.
This is the first grandchild to join the Armed Services. We are so proud of him – and a little fearful for his welfare. Who wouldn’t be?
Marilynne
There is a stage in writing where anything can distract you. When I’m trying to write, my house is never cleaner, my clothing in better shape, the dog more thoroughly walked. The question becomes: Should you fight it or go with the flow?
For me, a physical distraction is a good one. While my body is busy, my mind is free and floating around thinking about things I don’t know yet. A walk is particularly good for solving problems. You just walk until your brain is relaxed, then come back and work. It’s amazing how easily problems are solved after a walk. It works to a lesser degree with other physical things.
There is one big distraction that gets me off track and that’s doing my watercolor. My watercolor wants the same part of my brain as my writing, but it doesn’t like to share – and vice versa. So, that’s my problem today. I really want to do a little watercolor, but I know that once I get started it won’t be just a little. It will be a big, lovely, wonderful experience and leave me drained for writing.
So, today, I would send you off on a silly hunt for art. If you have any interest in art, check out WetCanvas.com [wetcanvas-newsletter@fwpubs.com]. Today’s newsletter has an article about photographing lightning. Did you know there’s a bit of math that will help you catch the picture? See, I’ve been distracted already. Maybe catching up on the wash will help free my mind a little.
Back to the adventures of Maxie, Jason, Su Lin, Ma and the Chinese smugglers.
Marilynne
Jason is Maxie’s boyfriend. At least he thinks he’s Maxie’s boyfriend. To tell the truth, their relationship is going through a crisis. Jason was working late at his office when the earthquake hit hard. Really hard. When Jason finds himself trapped with a pretty lady, well, life is real, isn’t it? Jason doesn’t think of Maxie at all. Maxie, when she thinks of him at all, thinks he must be excited and taking measurements of the earthquake. He’s an earthquake expert. He’s even written a book about earthquakes and provided earthquake kits for his office. I hope everyone likes chocolate. That’s the only food Jason has in the kit.
So, I’m working on both characters as they deal with the earthquake. Both are hurt. Both need help, but only Jason has company. Maxie must work through the earthquake alone.
This is a fun chapter to write. I hope the readers will like it – if and when I finish the book.
I have told a lot of the plot on MySpace so if you’ve been following that, be patient because I need to tell the story here as well.
Marilynne
It’s mysterious the way ideas come to an author when she’s writing a book. Today, I took a nap and woke up thinking about Jason, Maxie’s boyfriend. She didn’t tell him about her inheritance, or where she was going, she simply told him she was going away to think. Jason puzzled over it, but accepted her reason for wanting to do it.
It was a chicken way out, but Maxie wasn’t sure of her own feelings and felt it better to think things through first. Jason is so literal, and he’ll take her word for everything as told to him. Maxie is more the emotional sort. They are whole grain wheat bread and chocolate croissant – with almonds. They are sun and moon different from each other. Part of Maxie finds this intriguing, and part of it worries her. What to do?
So the earthquake finds Maxie just entering the beach house, and Jason working late on a Saturday night in Santa Monica. The earthquake is stronger in Santa Monica, and Jason gets quite a ride on the 12th floor of his office building.
Unknown to either to them, the earthquake triggers a landslide on the Pacific Coast Highway (the highway that runs along the edge of the ocean) and cuts them off from each other. Maxie is cut off from everything. She was going up the stairs with a flashlight in her hand, when the earthquake hit. Jason was working on his laptop in his office with the gorgeous view. not that he ever takes the time to appreciate it, but Maxie has told him it’s gorgeous, so he knows.
Here is where we leave them for the moment. Maxie in the dark on the stairs and Jason suddenly disturbed in his work by his building shaking.
What happens next? I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for another update.
Marilynne
I’m going to post a little less for a while so I can write a lot more on my book. I’ve decided (for the 50th time) to finish Maxie’s book. I like her and I like her story and I owe it to myself to finish her book so I can go on to the next.
Here’s what’s been going on:
Maxie put herself through college the hard way and is now supporting herself as a graphic artist, something she’s very good at. However, her finances led her to take the first job that came along and she really needs to expand her talents and look for another job.
She’s living with three roommates in a two-bedroom apartment so she can afford the car of her dreams – a Lincoln Navigator. I have some problems with that, but Maxie insists that’s what she wants.
By pinching her pennies Maxie finally buys the car of her dreams, but on her first long drive in the NAV someone hits her from behind in a cop-like move and sends her NAV spinning towards the ocean with Maxie helpless inside.
Why? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that her Aunt Maxine has made her a wealthy woman, but Maxie doesn’t know it yet. Aunt Maxine’s lawyer has been suspiciously slow at finding Maxie and letting her know, but he finally gets the job done?
Along with a lot of money, Maxie has inherited a beach house in Malibu. When Maxie decides to spend her recovery at the beach house, things begin to happen.
What? I’m not going to tell you, but I will tell you that Maxie doesn’t have the quiet time she’s been planning on.
Marilynne
I live across the street from a field where flowers are grown for the florists. So, today is picture day.
Marilynne
Sunflower
Yellow Strawflowers. Their petals are papery.
Pink Strawflowers. These make dry bouquets.
A Mag Card Reader
Long ago in the far reaches of time – at least it seems that way – there was a typewriter that was used to conduct all sorts of business. The typewriter was fast becoming a dinosaur because it had no memory. It typed whatever was requested and waited for the next request: another key, a carriage return, maybe time to eject the paper. It worked quite well, it just wasn’t good at remembering things.
So, along came the Mag Card reader, which was like a typewriter with a little memory on a card. And after that, the rudiments of word processing computers.
While typewriter dinosaurs are becoming rare, begin the world of word processors that could only do repetitive tasks and were not very clever about the tricks of the trade.
Enter an editor with multiple clients, deadlines, award fee milestones, and lots of competition for the services of those who ran the word processors.
Enter the former typists, now known as word processors, who didn’t understand the machinery very well, but understood quite well that typists were dinosaur operators and that word processors were the wave of the future.
Enter a manager of word processors who got the job because someone higher up liked her and sat her in that chair. The manager was very protective of her chair and managed her word processors to the best of her ability.
A problem arrives. The word processors are very busy. They are new to their tasks and don’t understand well how their equipment functions. Because they are so busy, they haul out the Mag Card, already becoming obsolete, and use it to just type a revision on the paper instead of having to figure out where that revision goes and how to print out a new page – or is it pages since the word processor just moves things along to the next page.
The Mag Card is handy. It can be used like a typewriter, but you can also make it type things multiple times. Picture this, Picture , Picture , Picture , as many as you want. You can then roll the platen back to that line and add numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. for as many as you want.
Introduce a new product. MacTac has been invented. It’s a clear plastic sheet stuck onto a backing paper. You can type on it. (Clue: Something like making clear labels on today’s printers.)
If they roll the MacTac onto the Mac Card, and let the Mag Card do the operation above (Picture, Picture, etc.) they can then use a ruler and an Exacto knife to cut the Figure Captions and paste them below any pictures used in the documentation. This saves a lot of time because either the word processor isn’t advanced enough to place figure captions or the nice ladies using them don’t know how to get it done.
Furthermore, if the word processors seem to be resting their fingers for a moment they’re told to get busy. Our manager runs a tight ship, but she doesn’t realize that her “girls” need time now and then to figure things out. Their old Mag Card machine has been demoted to a sort of typewriter with a bit of memory. Maybe no one there actually knows how to store the data on a card. Maybe the art is lost.
Problem: MacTac is expensive and so if there’s any left after they typed, that bit is used again until every little bit is used up. Problem? When they reuse the MacTac, it no longer has smooth processed edges. It now has lots of little cutouts dangling from it. When you roll the MacTac under the platen, little bits get stuck on the platen and the bed of the platen. (Note: The platen is the part that rolls the paper in on a typewriter.) After a while, the Mag Card is unusable because it won’t allow you roll the paper or MacTac in.
Enter the manager. She takes this problem as a personal affront. Someone in her supervision has broken the Mag Card reader. It’s expensive to fix and being nearly obsolete, she thinks they’ll just take it away. So, she leaves it there, pretending that it works.
Enter the Editor who wants to know why her work isn’t finished. She has a deadline. It’s her job to flog them a little so they’ll get the work done. Still, she has no animosity towards them. She questions the manager who takes her back to the Mag Card machine. She implies that since it doesn’t work, she can’t finish the Editor’s job. After a few inquiries the Editor leaves, then comes back while the manager is at lunch.
The Editor sits at the Mag Card machine, which she understands at the level that it’s like a typewriter with a little memory. She sees layers of MacTac on the platen and begins to peel it off. Then she sees a little bit stuck to the bed of the platen and peels that off. Then she asks if anyone has the stuff that cleans typewriter keys. After a bit of flurry, a bottle is produced.
Hear a huge gasp as the Editor removes the platen and proceeds to wipe it down with the key cleaner. Watch as she removes layers and layers of MacTac from the platen bed and cleans it too with the key cleaner. The Editor cleans the keys too, then asks a silent room for a piece of paper. They produce a piece of paper left over when the printer goes from one job to another. The Editor tests the Mag Card and it works fine.
She tells the astonished crowd to do that the next time it doesn’t work. They tell her that they aren’t allowed to take the equipment apart. They seem to be afraid that someone will find out an unauthorized person even sat in the chair.
The Editor leaves telling the group “I want my work out next.”
It happened ages ago, but I found the usefulness of civil disobedience. By breaking the rules – if there really were any rules of the sort – I got the job done. It was a valuable lesson. No rocks were thrown at my head. No one threatened me or my job. They were just pleased that the job was done and they could get back to work.
Marilynne
