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Solar Power Eliminates Utility Bills in U.S. Home

Posted by Zonk on from the i-have-a-raid-tonight-can-i-borrow-a-cup-of-sunlight dept.

skyhawker writes "Yahoo! News is running an article about a New Jersey home that uses solar power to provide 100% of its energy needs, including fuel for the owner's hydrogen fuel cell-powered automobile. From the article: 'Strizki runs the 3,000-square-foot house with electricity generated by a 1,000-square-foot roof full of photovoltaic cells on a nearby building, an electrolyzer that uses the solar power to generate hydrogen from water, and a number of hydrogen tanks that store the gas until it is needed by the fuel cell. In the summer, the solar panels generate 60 percent more electricity than the super-insulated house needs. The excess is stored in the form of hydrogen which is used in the winter -- when the solar panels can't meet all the domestic demand -- to make electricity in the fuel cell.'"

7 of 743 comments (clear)

  1. I wonder... by Ziwcam · · Score: 5, Funny

    How MY neighbors would feel if I loaded up their roof with solar cells...

    1. Re:I wonder... by Panaflex · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don't think they be quite so worried about that as they would the large tanks of hydrogen sitting in the back yard.

      Somewhere in the world there's going to be a reddish explosion on the horizon...

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      I said no... but I missed and it came out yes.
  2. One small problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    He eliminated his electric bill, but couldn't eliminate the fact that he is in New Jersey.

  3. Re:Okay, good idea, but this sucks by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 5, Funny

    Move to a neighborhood without a draconian HOA.

    And use a secure version of Windows, an honest attorney, or a Hooters franchise that doesn't debase women.

    --
    Apology to Ubuntu forum.
  4. Re:At $500,000... How long to pay back the cost? by AnotherHiggins · · Score: 5, Funny
    You pulled that number out of your butt very authoritatively.
    It will likely be yet another 15-20 years before solar power is a viable option for the average homeowner.
  5. Oh the humanity. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    A big tank of pure hydrogen gas in your basement, eh? That's great! I don't see what could possibly go wrong with that.

    In fact, you should celebrate a job well done. Have a cigar!

    /run

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  6. Re:At $500,000... How long to pay back the cost? by Xaoswolf · · Score: 4, Funny
    It would still be generating it as the solar system broke down in 25 years.

    If the solar system breaks down in 25 years, I don't think I'll be worrying about money in the bank...

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    Xaotik Designs