How many people who promote solar and wind as “clean,” “green,” and “renewable” have extensive experience with them? They have a lot going for them, but have a lot of problems.

I’m in my fifth year relying only on solar for my electrical power at home. I haven’t plugged an appliance to an outlet in that time, though I did charge my computer and phone from outlets at NYU for the first year or so, since at the start I didn’t expect to go this long so I didn’t plan ahead.

Anyway, batteries have some problems. I just got hit with one. You might know from your phone or computer that the calibration gets off. Have you learned that to calibrate the battery, you have to charge it to 100 percent then use it to zero once or twice?

Well, I can’t charge to 100 percent when the sun doesn’t let me. I try to avoid emptying it to zero since then I might be without power. The longer I go without a full charge, the more it becomes uncalibrated.

The forecast is for a few days almost completely overcast. My main battery said its charge was over 50 percent, which would be more than enough for a couple days.

I plugged my computer in. Next thing I know, in a few minutes it dropped to zero. That’s how off the calibration was. Now I have to use the computer for only a few minutes for the next couple days.

I’m not saying solar doesn’t work. I can make to with little power for a couple days. Tomorrow I have a lot of errands and volunteering to take me outside the house, which means not using electrical power at home.

In fact, I consider increased resilience and humility to nature wonderful outcomes of this experiment, but I think proponents of so-called “renewables,” at least the ones whose voices I’ve heard, should practice relying on them alone and set more practical, realistic, and sober expectations.

None of what I wrote should deter you from unplugging all your appliances and disconnecting your apartment from the electric grid. You will find it one of your life’s most liberating, freeing, and rewarding acts.

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