Last summer at the Taste of Buffalo, I got a pamphlet from Solar Liberty, the solar panel installers. (e:paul) and (e:) terry and gotten an estimate from them in 2011 for an installation on the roof, but it was too expensive then.

I requested a new quote from them this month, and it's so much more in reach. The proposal they gave us has the south facing roof covered in 19 300W panels, although more could fit on the flat peak. This would be more likely to get by the preservationists. I've attached the documents comparing the two estimates, but here are the key points. (These numbers are for the smaller array, but the size could increase which would improve the numbers even more.)

• Since 2011, the cost per watt on similarly capable panels (19% efficient) has dropped almost in half
• subsidies have dropped from $1.75 per watt to $0.80 - and dropping
• despite the subsidy drop the net cost to us has dropped from ~$12k to ~$5k
• even with Basra using 2150W for heating in his 7 month wintering, we can cover 40% of our electric use. Without his environmental disaster, I have to image it'd be closer to 70-80%
• the return on investment, even on a smaller 5kW array has dropped to 6 years, from 9-11 years
• the 25 year savings (length of the panel warranty) would total ~$30k

We haven't decided for sure if we are doing it yet but the estimate alone gives me a huge nerd boner. It's crazy how quickly affordable renewable energy is becoming, even in a a cloudy place like Buffalo. Imagine a distributed grid powering Buffalo throughout the day and the Falls powering us at night. No one would ever have to breath in the disgusting Huntley coal fumes again.

(e:paul) and I went to Pet Supplies plus to get a new lightbulb for the beast. I think the only type of shopping I do like is at pet stores. Everything there is so cute - look at this shirt for dogs. Its supposed to calm them in thunderstorms.

Animals also get these delicious looking peanut butter cookies, and rodent trail mix. They remind of the yogurt snacks I used to share with my guinea pigs.

Afterwards Paul and I had a bromantic date at Taj Grill where we talked about programming and ate fried food. Yum.

Cafe 59's vegetarian special today was a paneerwich - it had two amazing crispy blocks of paneer in the sandwich. I could only eat about one of them and had to take the second block home in a box.



It was very good but I can't imagine it was much healthier than (e:paul)'s chicken finger sub.

It's finally cold and snowy and I've realized I like being outside a lot more now that I'm not in it for a two hour daily commute. Except for the wind, fuck the wind.

Night walks are the best. I get to let out my energy and it feels like I get all of Buffalo to myself. If only (e:terry) or (e:paul) would come with me. :(

Today was the last mass at the church of the ascension next door. They went out like I knew them - parked on the lawn.





I actually didn't mind living next to them. Free park/bocce court/drone launchpad and a nice looking building. I hope they keep that with the new senior housing.
Buffalo news story

If they build a giant parking lot on our side or in the courtyard I'm going to park a bulldozer in someone's house.