Microgrid

SOLAR PANELS A 400-watt, 3 by 5 foot panel made by Sunsei sells on Amazon.com for $3000. The average MICROWIND TURBINE The Skystream model from Southwest Windpower delivers 2.4 KW for $12000-$18000 installed- INSULATION A typical home can cut from 25-50% up to 90 percent of the average home use. of energy use through simple weatherproofing and energy efficient appliances. home would need at least six to meet its 0O01.64 energy needs. RATE B KUH TIMER SWITCH A switch attached to a timer directs the power from the solar panels either to the batteries, or into the grid. Every day during peak hours from 12 to 2, when power is most expensive, the house runs off batteries and sells its Home Green Home ELECTRIC CAR By next year, this power system could include a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The battery can serve as additional backup storage for the home and the grid. Using today's technology, the microgrid dream house combines self-sufficiency with connectedness. production to the grid. SMART METER A commercial time-of-day electric meter shows the price of electricity varying from 8 to 11 cents per kilowatt-hour at off-peak times such as the middle of the night, up to 40 cents in midday. BATTERIES Not essential for a grid- connected system, battery storage allows more flexibility to go on or off grid.