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From: karn@envy..bellcore.com (Phil Karn)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: addresses of alternative energy companies
Message-ID: <1990Nov8.172227.20447@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: 8 Nov 90 17:22:27 GMT
References: <1990Nov8.042034.7688@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Sender: usenet@bellcore.bellcore.com (Poster of News)
Reply-To: karn@envy.bellcore.com (Phil Karn)
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 27


As promised, here's the address of Real Goods:

Real Goods
966 Mazzoni St
Ukia CA  95482
707-468-9214
800-762-7325
707-468-0301 (fax)

Both Real Goods and Backwoods Solar sell solar panels, charge
regulators, wind generators, hydroelectric turbines, batteries,
inverters, 12V appliances, high efficiency refrigerators, compact
flourescent light bulbs, gasoline and diesel generators, etc.  Their
catalogs make interesting reading if you can tolerate their
self-righteous political commentaries.

At least they do practice what they preach, and they have a good
amount of practical experience to offer. For example, they have found
that windmills are rarely cost-effective unless you have an AVERAGE
wind speed of at least 8-14 mph, while water power is cheapest if you
have it available (minimum of 400 gallons/minute at 12 foot head, or
proportionately less flow at greater heads). Solar (with
gasoline/diesel backup) is the best way to go for the vast majority of
cases, even in the north.

Phil