I've just had a modest PV solar panel system installed on the home roof. It's an overcast, windless day here in Canberra. Today, the system has output b#gger all, but this got me thinking . . .

With my current contract, I can buy electricity from the grid at about 20 cents per kilowatt hour; I can sell it back to the grid at 45 cents per kilowatt hour. So, if I were to install a massive light system on the roof and direct its light onto the panels, I can make money 24/7. I am cutting out the middleman, namely the sun. From the profits, I might be able to financially support my modest windsurfing addiction.

OK, so the "input to output" conversion might not be 100% efficient, but if it's better than 45%, I'll be in front. How can it go wrong? I just hope the neighbours don't complain too much about the glare.



Did I mention that it's not windy here in Canberra today? Wasn't yesterday, either. Nor the day before that, nor last week. It seems it hasn't been windy here for quite a long time.