US consumers turn to microgrids as power supplies falter
Being able to operate independently from the grid may allow the developing world to leapfrog traditional utility companies
18 February 2021 - 16:39
When Wim Coekaerts bought a hillside lot to build his Californian dream house, there was an old horse barn, a grove of olive trees and lovely views of Silicon Valley. But there was no electricity, and the nearest utility pole to his bucolic acre was about 170m away.
The town of Woodside requires new homes without utility service to pay for wires to be buried underground. Coekaerts faced a choice: pay Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) roughly $100,000 for engineering work and foot the enormous additional cost of the trenching, or engineer a more personal fix...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.