It's been hot here too!

Marc Kurth
Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
Every day for the last 20 days has been over 100 degrees and there is more of the same to come because it's summer. It doesn't feel so bad when out running on the water. My old boat gently sips gas so we got out 3-4 days per week. I still cannot retire, but at least I can pretend by boating fishing, and swimming a lot! Cell phone hotspot is invaluable when work needs to get done.






Even 104F isn't enough to keep us inside all day. Maybe that will change when I get old :lol3  but sometimes you just gotta sit outside in the shade with a breeze and read or listen to music - or just sit. I know it sounds unbearable, but deep shade and a light wind off the water makes it comfortable. No beers are injured but several may be consumed.



I haven't had solar since leaving California 15 years ago, but utility power is still cheap here, and my A/C system kicks butt.
Life is good here in the cheap seats!
Marc

I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #2

    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    But you are still a youngster!
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    It's the new 70 !    Nice digs!  Looks like I missed your Happy Hour.... I 'll have a Jameson Black Barrel on the rocks!  Cheers from the Nevada side.



    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2023 #5
    Great choice Dave! Around 4800' ASL is perfect for good temperatures without getting snowed in every other week. Hard to beat the clean air and clear sky up there. I used to ski Heavenly in winter and hiked the Rim Trail one summer - 1969-1971. Not too far from you by air. I always liked the south end better, but it wasn't too crowded and the local girls were very friendly 50+ years ago!
    If I recall, power costs are lower there than in CA?

    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    There were still 10 foot drifts of snow at Heavenly in July. The casinos did well as it snowed every weekend and people stayed in the casino.
      A kwh is hovering between 12 & 13 cents but the altitude cool down at night is what really saves the money.  AC is not on until 5pm or so in a well insulated home.  Off at 8pm.

     My brother is still looking at Texas as his son got a full scholarship to Texas A&M.  I know he would like to move where you are. He has seen your pix long ago. Hard to leave San Diego climate. Great place but it is not worth it anymore. Locking up your toothpaste there in the stores. Nuff said!
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,654 admin
    #7
    California runs around $0.42 per kWH or so... I read that there is a Time of Use plan in San Diego that runs from $0.17 per kWH (something like midnight to 6 AM) to $0.85 per kWH for peak (summer afternoons and evenings).

    Dave earlier told me that his rate (in Nevada) is around $0.17 per kWH.

    -Bill "Nevada is looking better and better" B.
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    No problem on the rate Bill ! Covid related memory?  Better to keep that electric rate higher for the internet😉 Have a good day ! 
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    #9
    We are still paying $0.10/kWH flat - all in. No TOU, no tiers, no demand. Looks like I might be stuck with 1.5 to 2 cents more starting in the Spring.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2023 #10
    Dave, there are a lot of beautiful areas around A&M. That's where I got to see a lot of the terrain while hanging out of a helicopter. It's in the border margins of a rolling Oak Savannah and the East Texas Piney Woods. (Deeper woods as you go further east) The pine-covered Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston are both less than a 90-minute drive from A&M. A whole lot prettier than where I live. With his property tax advantage, it would be an excellent financial investment. California equity money is flowing into Texas bringing prices up.

    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #11
    Will pass it on thanks!

    Yep same here! Interest rates do not matter, all cash buyers. Hopefully they leave the politics at the border. 
    The get less, pay more mentality is really crazy and objective truth appears to be long gone.


    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    #12
    Dave Angelini said:
    Will pass it on thanks!

    Yep same here! Interest rates do not matter, all cash buyers. Hopefully they leave the politics at the border. 
    The get less, pay more mentality is really crazy and objective truth appears to be long gone.



    Yep, Californians are cashing out and bringing bucketfuls of equity and are giddy at what they can buy here so "cheaply." Sadly, many are coming to Texas as missionaries instead of being refugees like I was.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #13
    Some say destroying America the California way.  I am not saying that BTW.....
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    We lived in a pine forest about 7 miles outside of Bastrop, TX before moving to Northeast TX. Our home was about a mile down a winding County road where the homes were on 2-10 acre lots. We had a POA that existed simply to keep mobile homes and commercial operations out. Dues were $20./year and we met once a year. Incoming Californians started buying up the lots and demanding changes to the 15 year old neighborhood. We loved the house on our four acres of deep woods but we had to get out when they scrapped the POA and voted in a new HOA with all new rules up the whazoo.

    They voted in sidewalks and street lights along with clearing the land and splitting the lots into 1 acre plots. So much for our beloved woods!
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,935 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #15
    Yea nice pine forest but you are better off not having to deal with wildfire. Even with a good state government there is only so much they can do if the poop hits the fan with big fire and big wind. We drive over the mountain for entertainment at Lake Tahoe and even the 20 minute drive home is scary out of there.   Nice to be in the desert with zero 70 foot pine trees and brush.

    Glad to be out of that danger. Going back there to see Boz Skaggs next week at Bally's. Power bill below.


    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2023 #16
    Burying an extra 1,000 gallon concrete "septic" tank dedicated tor fire impression isn't radically expensive while the backhoe is working anyway. A little Honda powered fire pump can work wonders to save your home while you evacuate. Ask me how I know!
    My land was across the highway from Bastrop State park and the 2011 wildfire was a doozy! Over 1700 homes in our area of 30,000 acres of pines went up in flames, but mine did not. One of these days I'll dig up some pictures.
    Now I have a 680,000 acre-foot water tank in my backyard :) so now I have a bigger pump.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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