• Home
  • About
  • Publications
  • Links
    • Drilling and Fracking
    • Resources
    • Stuff I Like
    • TX Progressive Alliance
  • Must See Videos
  • PSYOPS
  • Shale Survival
    • Before drilling starts
    • Tools
    • Medical
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Texas Sharon's Bluedaze

Fracking News

I’m turned on!

April 23, 2013 By TXsharon

Although my solar panels were installed several weeks ago, Oncor had to put in a meter and turn them on and they just got a-round-to-it late Thursday. Friday was my first full day using my solar panels and my estimated usage, according to TXU was $.33. Saturday it was cloudy and Adam and I did laundry so our usage was about $1.81.

Solar

 

To remind you: in installment #8 of my series, “Goodbye natural gas you dirty boy! It’s over between us!” I told you that Texas solar incentives are back through One Block Off The Grid so going solar is easy and affordable. My panels will offset approximately 50% of my electricity usage and lock in a low rate of approximately 3.2¢/kWh for the next 20 years.

Oh, and… Solar jobs outnumber ranchers in Texas, actors in California

 

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • More Posts(5121)

Filed Under: Alternative energy, sustainability

Comments

  1. Texas Widow says

    April 23, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    But, but, but ….. wait til that first hail storm!

    (Sorry, wanted to beat the Gashole who always posts that out of his/her ass). 😀

    This is awesome! Hope to have these someday. 🙂

    • TXsharon says

      April 23, 2013 at 10:58 pm

      I busted out laughing and scared my dog. 🙂

  2. PeterK says

    April 23, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Phbbybyybbt! (the sound of natural gas being expelled ) 😉
    so Texas widow what is wrong with asking that question? how durable are the solar panels to hail the size of golfballs. or what about the size of softballs? yes i’ve seen them that big up in the Dakotas. they can go through a roof.
    so would love to know about the durability
    http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/showthread.php?15718-Solar-panel-damage-from-hail-storm
    http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/solar-panels-and-hail.aspx#axzz2RLhrZkgl
    I also understand that the panels must be cleaned on a regular basis otherwise you electricity production will suffer. how often do you plan on cleaning them?

    • TXsharon says

      April 23, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Is that you Pak? I can see a resemblance. I’m pretty sure we have already addressed the hail issues. It’s not really an issue. They are flexible and durable but in the off chance hail damages them, SolarCity will replace them. If we have softball sized hail I will have a lot more than solar panels to worry about.

      As far as cleaning them goes, that’s a myth. But, if a flock of giant condor flies over my house and takes a collective crap on them, it’s not my problem. I never have to touch the panels. SolarCity will come clean off the giant condor crap.

  3. David says

    April 24, 2013 at 12:26 am

    Your a job creator! “Today, solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, providing good-paying jobs for more than 119,000 American workers,”
    http://ecowatch.com/2013/solar-energy-creates-jobs-grows-economy/

  4. RS says

    April 24, 2013 at 6:52 am

    I don’t have my panels, but Oncor did install my meter. I can’t wait.

    • Marcus says

      April 27, 2013 at 3:53 pm

      Hey Susan!
      We are working hard on it! The Town of Argyle requires a many more hoops we need to go through.
      Permits have been submitted. Now we play the waiting game!
      -Marcus Joo

      • Marcus says

        April 27, 2013 at 3:55 pm

        requires many *

  5. luc says

    April 26, 2013 at 6:38 am

    A very interesting video about The True Energy Refrigerator

    This fridge needs only between 2½ and 4 hours of electricity per day and can keep its contents cold for 10 days without power at ambient temperatures of 43°C using a cold storage.

    • TXsharon says

      April 26, 2013 at 8:35 am

      I want one! It seems they are not currently available to retail customers but hopefully they will be soon. I think my refrigerator uses a lot of energy. I’m trying to get a handle on what uses energy when in my house. It seems I have some energy spikes at weird times when I think my usage should be lowest.

  6. Plantmaven says

    June 23, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Boy do I wish I could have these in the Midwest. Here it is geothermal or nothing.

sign up

Together we can make the world a frack free place. Sign up to receive my posts in your inbox.

Stalk TXsharon

Recent Posts

  • Oilfield Witness: Who we are and what we do.
  • Inaugural Field Notes from Oilfield Witness are live
  • Sharon Wilson and Miguel Escoto launch “Oilfield Witness,” continue conducting fieldwork in Texas oilfields
  • Oilfield Witness is live as we continue to witness oilfield crimes
  • I’m continuing to expose the dirty secrets of oil and gas.
  • Register for the worldwide premier of Uncovering the Permian Climate Bomb

Like Earthworks on Facebook

Categories

Archives

All work © Sharon Wilson. No works may be shared copied in full without permission. Bluedaze: Drilling Reform. Site Design by Sumy Designs. Powered by those who advocate for a safe and healthy environment.