In regard to the question about solar cost and ways to reduce one's dependence on the grid using costly energy sources, it's great to hear that so many are exploring active systems such as solar panel hardware. It's important to realize, however, that the most efficient and judicious use of home energy results from an integration of active and passive systems, such as earth berming, appropriately-located skylights, etc., and that these systems help to supplement existing energy sources rather than acting as a total replacement for current energy sources.
Jasper Eliot
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