But, there are none of the used $10k electric cars on the market. Also, solar is a red herring. It's not needed at all to operate an electric car.

In 10 years, about 5% of new car sales will probably be electric (and 95% still petrol). That means my then 10 year old electric car will also be out there for $10k, and a new electric with 200 mile range will also be available.



I liked a modern generation nuke program right up until the Japan incident. The reality is that mistakes are just too costly in that business, and that doesn't even address the multi-generation baby sitting of the hazardous by-products.

The Germans and Japanese will probably be the first nuke countries to exit the nuke game in the next 50 years. Renewables will be a big part of that, including solar.

I didn't imply in my earlier statements that ELECTRICITY was static in price. I specifically said that MY COST for electricity is (for about 30 years) with my solar panels.

If electricity on the open market goes up 200% in that time, it won't directly affect me.

The return of the Underpants Gnomes.:D

For plot review:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smug_Alert!



‪Smug Alert (Commentary)‬‏ - YouTube

Nothing like a little humor, although it is somewhat odd that we live in such a bizarre world we have to mention cartoons for much of our insightful social commentary.

See also: Underpants gnomes.

Tony, thanks for sharing the details of your project with us, it sounds as if you have met all your needs well.


Could you tell us a little more about you solar setup? KWPH, percent used on car/house?

I looked at them a while back and came up with a 33 year break even point under current conditions. Since I will probably be returning all my carbon to the earth at that time, I lost interest.

My house uses about 11,000 KiloWattHours per year, and the electric car uses about 6,000 kWh to drive 24,000 miles.

My solar system is 35 SunPower 228 watt panels with 35 Enphase micro-inverters. The system should produce between 12,000 and 13,000 kWh for the year.

The total cost (net) for the solar system was $28,000. Using about $3,000 per year for household electricity, this solar system covers all the household power in about 10 years. The car will cost about $500 for the year in grid supplied electricity, virtually all supplied between midnight and 5am.

The vehicle that was replaced by my Nissan LEAF would cost $6,000 per year in fuel (24,000 miles divided by 16 mpg, times $4/gal gas). Therefore, I save $5,500 per year in direct fuel cost. In addition, there are not many maintenance issues (smog check, oil changes, camshaft belt, etc) on an electric car, for at least several hundred dollars per year in additional savings.

In my specific situation, I can pay for the WHOLE car in fuel savings in about 7 years (all great in theory, but the replaced car has 140,000 miles, and there's no way it would last 7 more years at 24,000 miles per year). The break even between a new 32mpg $25,000 car and the LEAF is about 4 years.

But, like they say in the late night infomercials, THERE'S MORE !!! There are some little perks for this whole system that I didn't factor in the above costs. The Nissan LEAF got me $12,500 in tax credits. I'll probably do some additional energy reducing projects with that money, like on-demand hot water, probably with a solar hot water system. Also plan on R30 insulation in the roof, and just installed ventilation fans up there. The solar installation includes $15,000 in tax credits.

In addition, all of this assumes gas staying at it's current price in the future, and that electricity will do the same. Probably not realistic, and for every increase in those costs, my payback period gets shorter. There is no cash value given to having a car and an electricity production facility that emits ZERO pollution, is quiet, recyclable and perpetual.

Saving money on water will be a much bigger challenge at my house.

Interesting subject.
 

I have been thinking about getting a Ford Transit Connect EV as a fleet vehicle and putting up two wind generators. A lot of money that is difficult to justify.

Skyhigh

Why don't you start with the basics, and we'll work through it. How many miles do you plan on putting on the car? Why this car?

Why wind and not solar? What will the fleet haul?