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Jayme_K's Blog

by Jayme_K from Da Valley!

Last Post 158 days, 9 hours Ago


Solar Power
Feb 16, 2007 | 4:45 AM
Category: Weather
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Hey Everybody!!!!

So...I made a quick road trip up to "Arcosanti" yesterday. For those of you that don't know about Arcosanti....allow me to enrich you! Arcosanti is up in Mayer, AZ...about 65 miles North of Phoenix, straight up the 17. It's a concept community that focuses on a "minimalist" lifestyle, IE: living and working within steps of eachother, growing your own food source...an alternative to urban sprawl and materialism..the list goes on and on. You can actually see the place from the highway and make an exit at Cordes Junction to get there. Anyway, we went up there yesterday to see some of the recent additions they've made to the main building and we were pleasantly surprised. One thing I noticed was the widespread use of solar power. You can see the solar plates and battery terminals kind of spread around in different rooms, each conducting it's own mission. While solar power is harnessed in different spots across the state, it amazes me that it isn't used on a regular basis. Do any of you out there use solar power at your homes?? Maybe to heat the pool or perhaps run a few small lights or appliances? The Arizona Sun is big and bright...why not??

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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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rickdamico read my blog view my photos
Feb 16, 2007 | 8:29 AM

I agree with Jayme!

I've been here over 20 years and it just blows my mind that solar power is not popular here.

Rick
thebritishchick read my blog view my photos
Feb 16, 2007 | 8:41 AM

You know you really have a point there Jayme, why dont we use it?? I dont know how expensive it is to install, maybe thats why many dont have it because of the initial outlay!! But we really should make the most of this beautiful sunshine, then maybe i could swim in my pool year round too!!
thebritishchick read my blog view my photos
Feb 16, 2007 | 8:42 AM

hey Rick, who tripped on the sound wire this morning?? all went very quiet LOL, your faces were a picture:)
MarcMartinez read my blog
Feb 18, 2007 | 3:31 PM

Looking forward to seeing the story Jayme. And it's true solar panels are expensive to have installed, but you are eligible for tax breaks in most cities and counties. How nice would it be not to dread opening those power bills during the summer months!
pvaz read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 7:18 AM

Jayme, your location is a bit generalized. Arcosanti is in the Mayer postal delivery area, but not in Mayer. Folks if you what to visit Arcosanti: North on I-17 to the Prescott exit 262, start of Hwy 69. You want to turn right into the Cordes Junction services area where you see the McDonalds and convenience store. Go to the stop sign at the end of that short street where it t-bones into a north and south running street. Take a left, north, and follow the signs. You'll be able to see Arcosanti to the northeast for the short drive out there. It is a very interesting place. Worth a Sunday afternoon's drive, about 45 miles north of Carefree Hiway.

Arcosanti Web Site
thebritishchick read my blog view my photos
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:06 AM

Ohh pvaz that sounds like a player!! We love to drive around and see different places, its all so beautiful.
Jayme_K read my blog
Feb 20, 2007 | 8:27 AM

Gee PVAZ thanks for clarifying that. Aside from spanking me. What do you think about solar power?? That's what the post was originally about. :)
pvaz read my blog view my photos
Feb 21, 2007 | 2:46 AM

Jayme I didn't mean to spank, just a friendly slight clarification. Up here I've had Valley folks ask me "Where's Young's Farm?" during the old Pumpkin Festival days. I just point back the way they came and say about 6 miles. Us country bumpkins just like to give directions to city slickers and sometimes we even give them the right directions..:o}

Solar power. Costs are still prohibitive even with the tax breaks for most people from what I just read online (link below). The ones who don't care about the money usually don't mind paying the electric or gas company unless they are devout Greenies. It's been 27 years, but I have installed a couple combination solar and electric waterheater systems. The technology then was maintenance intensive. I have no idea what any of the new system types are. It depends on what you want to do, just heat your domestic water, heat and cool your house, produce and store electricity to use or what. Basically there is no cheap system. If the exposed panels in a water based system aren't drained down in freezing weather the repairs can really set you back. Solar electric producing systems are even more spendy than heating and cooling solar systems. If you want to do some reading here is a Google search page with more info than you probablly ever wanted to have on solar power systems (link below). Solar is still big bucks and payback time on savings over installation costs are many years. Solar is not well accepted by lenders if you need a mortgage. If it were cost effective and sellable all the upscale builders would be offering it. Nope me an
pvaz read my blog view my photos
Feb 21, 2007 | 2:54 AM

Continued:
Nope me and Ma will stick with APS and just keep on a cussin our bill.


Green Builder Solar Heat And Cooling


Google Results-Solar Power
cblaze read my blog
Feb 21, 2007 | 8:58 AM

I have been saying that I want to go there for 2 years now. You are providing me with the motivation I needed. I will let you know.

My home is full of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. We are upgrading our windows and keep up to date on solar power tech. Right now, it is not cost effective, but will be within 5 years or so. As the demand increases, the prices will start dropping. Give it some time.
pvaz read my blog view my photos
Feb 22, 2007 | 4:28 AM

Solar has been commercially available many decades now and the costs haven't come down yet or has the demand gone up at a level to bring costs down. It is only popular with do-it-yourself and wealthy Greeners. Years ago I toured a fully solar home. It was fantastic, but cost three times as much as a standard home. It had solar hotwater, heat and cooling and electrical system. The only utility meter the home had was water. The costs remain basically the same as 25 plus years ago.
thebritishchick read my blog view my photos
Feb 22, 2007 | 9:51 AM

Well when i hit my first million i will invest in that LOL.
Jayme your report was very good this morning, and the views are beautiful up there!!!
retnjcop read my blog
Mar 6, 2007 | 7:59 PM

Well Jayme I have some thoughts. Solar energy is a great idea but now it's still to expensive not to mention HOA's )Home Owners Assoc.) would have fit that it would just not look right. I live near the area of Cave Creek Road by Pinnacle Peak Road where there is lots and lots of homes being built. I wonder if any one of them will be solar powered. Probably not as it wouldn't be beneficial to the utility companies. If Arizona politicians are so concerned to conserve energy then it should
mandated that all new homes be solar powered and while they're at it all new homes should have cirulator pumps installed with the plumbing of new homes so you don't have run the water for 4-5 minutes waiting for hot water to come out of the shower head. That's just few ideas.
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Jayme_K

Hi guys and gals.... I'm native to Miami, Florida, but feel right at home here in AZ (less humidity and rage filled drivers though.) When I'm not in the studios here at Fox 10 or doing some zany report from the field, I enjoy time with the wife and my little girl, cheering on the MIAMI DOLPHINS, or fishing our area lakes for the elusive largemouth bass or the tastiest fish in fresh water...the Crappie...doesn't sound to tasty, but they are!

Member Since: 1/10/2007


 

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