Nice one VV.
Thanks. I didn't even think of that.

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IMO, the issue isn't really the power storage, but the economics.

If you NEED to store the power, then sure there are all kinds of battery storage systems out there.
But they cost $$$$$ even for a small ssytem.

Not really a crackpot idea itself - just not economically viable for this situation.

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If this prohibition continues. One day. Pool size underground setup. Small hidden tunnel/doormway into your basement. Solar panels or array, generators. Large amounts of $$$ made. Especially in the North East.
One day.

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[SIGPIC]Planting the seeds of destruction. One by one.

What you are describing really needs a proper storage battery array, not a bunch of daisy chained UPSes. In fact, most UPS manufacturers explicitly state that daisy chaining UPSes is not supported.

Dealing with battery arrays is an arcane science all of its own. Working out the connections safely can be confusing, and you have to deal with issues like outgassing, fluid levels, etc. If you really want to get into this, check out the forums at otherpower.com . I agree that the solar power case is the one that would make it worth the trouble, as it allows you to go 'off the grid.'

There are some parts of the country, particullary the Northeast where this is the only vaible way to make solar pay. In the summer time when your solar panles were able to produce power you would be banking energy to use when the sun doesn't produce enough. I wish I could remember the name of the company. It was a program some months ago on NPR.
The thing I liked about it was it didn't matter how many people were participating. If a lot did it would mean the power companies would have less to produce seasonally. Since Air Conditioning is one of the least efficent energy users this could work out well. Brown Outs on hot days would go away. VV

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might work if your using noob grow setups but those power back up would not runa 400,600, or 1000 watt light for more then a few minutes ona full charge and to get the larger one capable of even handling the needed watts would be real exsoensive let alone handful to daisy chain.

Oh yes! Really expensive. But if running a decent sized room, it may be worth it. At least as an offset. Most areas have incentives (cash back, up to 50%) for going solar. Plus, probably won't get busted from electricity usage. (priceless)

One really has to ponder this. I've been pondering solar for quite some time. Not for just growing, but in general. The grid-tie is the cheaper, since there is no batteries or bat chargers. This is also the type that the elec co pays you back. (but thats misleading. You don't get a check, you get a credit. Most elec co.'s use 'net metering') But once the sun is low, no power and back to normal. This may not be so bad for flowering, since its a 12/12

The off-grid is the battery style is nice since it stores. But you need more panels. Ones to run stuff now, and more to charge the batteries which will be depleted during the overnight.

A for the bang-for-the-buck, solar PV is still not a good idea. (but the panels are rated for 80-85% power for 25 years not bad) Solar water heating is much better at the pay-back.

Sorry. I've been gone for a while. Saw an interesting thread on here. I believe it was a DIY battery backup for your low watt items (water pump, fan). Doesn't have to be specificly for lighting. I've also been looking in to solar. Currently it's not a total viable option for me, but they're coming onto the next gen "solar windows", and commercially available panels.
Maybe within a decade, I could be in the right position $/technology/position.

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[SIGPIC]Planting the seeds of destruction. One by one.