Joe -

Thanks again for the link; another interesting design to look into.

In S.California I think using Solar is the way to go because if you get "on the grid" and produce enough electricity, the power company actually winds up owing YOU money. I wonder if you can also do this with wind power?

Thailand is a whole different ball game because it would be ideal to stay entirely off the grid, which of course requires completely different design considerations. Although sunlight usually isn't much of an issue in that part of the world, it would be nice to have a backup/additional source.