DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

We’ve finally crossed over: on average, from noon to 6:00 PM on weekdays since our photovoltaic energy system was turned on, we’ve consumed zero watts of utilitily-company power. The 49998 figure below indicates that we’ve generated a surplus of 2 kWh. (The “zero point,” for obscure reasons, reads “50,000.”)

We still have a ways to go before we zero out the offpeak bank of kWh, currently at 581 kWh. But we have until next January to do so. And this effort will be greatly helped beginning in May, when PG&E’s summer rates take effect — after which we’ll be credited 3x for every kWh generated during peak hours as we’ll be charged for every offpeak kWh consumed. Yeah, it’s a math problem.

Based on performance to date, I believe we’re going to have a net surplus of energy by next January. PG&E won’t pay me for it, but I still get some benefit: every kWh I send into the grid means one less that has to be made from burning coal or natural gas. That means cleaner air for me. And you, too. (You’re welcome!)