Beginning

Thought I would start a blog to keep tabs on my goal towards energy independence. I started last year with a solar water heater, the cost was a little high - $3800, but there was a tax incentive for 30% and a $500 Florida State refund – so the final bill was $2060. The savings on our electric bill is around $45 /mth, but we do not look at it terms of making our $2K back; we look at it this way; there are very few things you can buy with $2k that will pay you $45 per month for the next 10 years at least. Plus it is nice taking a hot shower and not worrying about paying to heat it.
Today I start my PV installation, small start – I bought a 2 watt PV panel on EBay for $5.50 (plus shipping), plus I have a monster 24V portable drill that needs a battery – maybe look at creating a turbine out of it.