Much has been written on this site concerning the considerable potential of solar plus storage possibilities. This post goes into an exciting real life case study.
This post comes by way of a Miami Herald article.
The Mayor of South Miami has decided to showcase the potential of combining solar panels with a home energy storage system.
Philip Stoddard has long been a proponent of renewable energy. He lamented Reagan’s decision to remove the solar panels that Carter put on the White House. “We’re smarter now, aren’t we?”
As anyone who lives in Florida can attest, any given hurricane can knock out power for many days. This was the main impetus for Stoddard’s experiment of seeing if he and his family can be energy self-reliant for 7 days.
Stoddard, his wife and three kids have a fairly average sized solar panel system of 7.5 kw and two Tesla Powerwalls that can store a total of 27 kWh. The combined continuous power that can be drawn from two powerwalls is 10 kWh.
As this was a first for Stoddard, he was certainly concerned about whether this experiment would deliver positive results. After all, most of us expect reliable and abundant power for the many different appliances that we use. Two specific concerns were air conditioning and their electric clothes dryer, appliances that use significant amounts of electricity.
While it was close, the family’s solar panel system and energy storage systems were able to provide for all of their energy needs for seven days.
There must be a catch, right? They must be paying a fortune for this ability. Actually, no. Stoddard mentioned – “It typcially takes seven or eight years to pay off a system and get free electricity. Depending on how much of your electric bil you want to cover, you figure you get about a 14 percent return on your capital investment. If I could get that same return on investment in my retirement account, I’d put it all in solar. You can’t count on the stock market, but you can count on the sun. Solar provides the one opportunity for the average American homeowner to save money while saving the planet.”
What’s truly exciting about this story out of Florida is not just that the experiment was a success. This is no surprise because the technology has been tested and proven reliable. Instead what is exciting about this is the fact that adding solar plus energy storage is now cost effective, especially in the higher priced electricity areas of the country. The fact of the matter is that no matter how many homeowners would like to do the right thing environmentally and be energy self-sufficient, they won’t unless they can afford it.
It’s great that mayor Philip Stoddard is doing his part in creating awareness for his fellow Floridians about what is possible concerning solar and energy storage.
In conclusion, the decision of the Mayor of South Miami to invest in solar plus storage technology is a commendable and forward-thinking move. By embracing renewable energy sources and utilizing storage capabilities, the city will not only reduce its carbon footprint but also ensure a more reliable and sustainable energy supply. This initiative sets an example for other cities to follow, highlighting the importance of investing in clean energy solutions for a greener future.
In conclusion, the decision of the Mayor of South Miami to invest in solar plus storage is a significant step towards a sustainable future. By embracing renewable energy sources and implementing storage technology, the city can reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and contribute to the fight against climate change. This bold move sets an example for other cities and demonstrates the commitment of South Miami towards a cleaner and greener environment.
In conclusion, the decision of the Mayor of South Miami to embrace solar plus storage is a significant step towards a more sustainable and resilient future. By investing in this technology, the city can reduce its carbon footprint, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and ensure a stable energy supply even during power outages. This forward-thinking approach sets an example for other cities to follow in the transition towards clean and renewable energy sources. Ultimately, the Mayor’s commitment to solar plus storage demonstrates a strong dedication to the well-being of both the environment and the community.