I would like to start by saying that I hae never found propane or gasoline in my backyard, but I have generated electricity using mechanical and photovoltaic systems. The highlight of this article is the domestic use of Inverters in alternative energy systems, and how the expense associated could be avoided by sticking to the use of Direct Current (DC). This is not a recommendation to factories or Canadian electricity regulators. This is for home use only which includes lighting, heating, fans, refrigeration, and consumer electronics.

My ongoing experiments and everyday use of photovoltaics is much easier without the need to apply an inverter at any level. My lights can use DC, my laptop uses DC, my Nintendo Wii and TV use DC. Almost all of these devices actually use an adapter to convert the Alternating Current (AC) to DC. This conversion is not perfect either, many of the adapters radiate heat to a very small degree. Measuring the input versus the output, there is not much energy lost in conversion. My issue is not with energy lost, but with money lost by having to produce and buy these converters when I have already been generating electricity at the stepping that these devices demand.

I want to clarify that people choosing to use photovoltaics or windpower to generate their own electricity may save more money converting some appliances to DC (like toasters or electric kettles) than to spend thousands of dollars trying to find an inerter to meet their needs that puts out a "perfect sinewave". By taking yourself off the grid you save energy for our factories and for sale to neighbouring energy providers - which can help to fund the future growth of our provincial and national electricity system.