You don't want to skimp on your solar panels, you need to buy the best. The best also means the most expensive, but most have a 25 year guarantee, and can last 80 years or more, but they will lose some of their efficacy over time. Most people want to live as they do now, but change from grid, to off-grid. First, you need to see where most of your electricity is being used, such as clothes dryer, electric heating and cooling, etc. If you start drying clothes by hanging them on a clothesline to dry, you've solved one problem. If you change from electric heating to woodburning, or propane, then you've taken another large part of your energy consumption away. If you use solar panels for your waterwell, and lights, TV, computers, etc, you will not need a very large system. Many of the solar kits that are sold with everything you need for off-grid power supply, are made for complete electric replacement. If you want to cut costs more, but have the battery storage, simple hook the batteries in banks that are each separate from the system. As one bank gets charged, flip the switch to charge the next battery bank, and so on. It requires a bit more work to monitor the batteries, but you can have less solar panels that way and save on the extra charge controllers and inverters. Don't try to get by cheap on equipment, and research other options instead of complete solar power systems, and you can be offgrid at much lower prices than what you see advertised on all those websites. They make solar kits for ease of hookup and for low maintenance, but if you're willing to do a little extra work, and think out your options, you can save thousands of dollars and be off-grid completely. Kt

We would like to install solar tubes in my mother's recently purchased home, but I'm not sure who is the best type of tradesman to install - the roofer, a contractor, or what type of tradesperson usually installs tubes. As we're calling about roofing quotes, I have asked if they install solar tubes, but I'm concerned as they just say yes; however it feels more like a yes to get more business, not as regular procedure. Also, it it's not too late, hint - make sure to check out the contractor, etc. with L&I to see if they carry insurance, licensed, workmans comp. etc. You would not believe the number of people who either get angry if questioned or are expired, if they ever carried those items. (Sidenote - I like our solar tube in an interior bathroom; it makes it like I'm not in a cave. A contractor installed the tube during a remodel, but I'm not crazy about some of the work so he won't be called back.)

I thought Madura gold was one of the "basics", like Uba Tuba, Peacock, Etc. I have Peacock Green from Brazil (or Verde Peacock, depending on whom you ask). When I bought it was I was told it was Level 1 out of 3. I was told that this was based on supply and demand of the stone itself, not quality. In fact, after doing much research (Ask Maurizio, Tom Cordova blog, etc) it seem there is no industry standard for grading granite. Although my peacock Green is a level 1, it has only minor beautiful gold fissures, no chips and the dark color is stain resistant and doesn't even need sealer. As far as quality, I did hear that granite slabs from Brazil are better than those from India or China. Who knows for sure. What I do know is that all the incertainty makes it difficult for the consumer to comparison shop!!!

I've commented often of the benefits of a wire-loc system for all types of structures. I would tech screw the base around the end frames and also completely around the base, screwing into baseboard. I wouldn't be too concerned about the door. I used to use the furring strips but you need all three strips in treated wood or they rot apart the first year. Wire-loc is cheapest over time. Although the Wire-loc makes installation and removal of the film and pool cover easier I prefer to just leave it on. I believe it will last longer than if you are constantly removing and reinstalling. Not sure how long the exposed pool cover will last but mine, sandwiched between two greenhouse film layers is on 7 years and looks like it will last another 7. Before installing it I had just two film layers, inflated, and that film lasted 14 years. I guess I could have found a better picture of the framing. This one just shows most film surface.