Fineally a topic a Newbie can contribute to:

I am in Houston, Texas.  I contacted my master electricty provider, they offer "net-metering" which is spinning your power meter backwards to remove time (charges) on our meter.  Since we are deregulated here in Texas, its up to my power company I have chosen to either buy power or not.  Some due, some don't.  I don't really care...I am not trying to make money.  ;-)

My goal:  I allready run my very nice 7.3 diesel Excuursion on Waste Vegtable Oil, it works great.  But my supplier makes 200-300 gallons a week!  Thats allot of catfish they fry!  So I decided to get the long wanted generator back up system, then found listers, then decided to "tie in" and reduce my bills as well as help the environment buy burning used oil.

The master  power company said this:  The application form is for all types and sizes of generators, including solar and wind power.  In the application form, you can specify the generator type and the switch system you create.  The requirement on the switch system is that it complies with PUC Rule 25.212 Section C.  If you use inverters with UL 1741 certification, it will comply with the requirements.  Additionally, if you want to have battery backups, the inverter must be certified with UL1745, then it is designed to meet the requirements in PUC Rule 25.212 (attached).   In the application, I will need to know if you plan to sell power.  If you plan to sell power, we have to change the meter.  You will also need to make arrangements with an energy provider to purchase your power.  CenterPoint Energy does not buy or sell power.   If you do not want to sell power, then we will check the existing meter to make sure it is not prevented from spinning in the reverse direction, for net metering.[/i] [/i]

Basically, the power you are sending back to the meter, thus spinning it backwards, must be automatically shut off should a power outage happen.  (So the workers fixing the lines won't feel your powwr, so to speak.)  So I need a switch that complies with PUC Rule 25.212 Section C.  Thats easy...

Now:  I want the run the generator just enough to spin my meter backwards and "zero out the power" each month.

Questions:
1.  at the peak of '05 and '06,August, I have been using close to 4,500KW hours/month.   Roughly 150 KW per day and 6.25KW per hour.  (This does not of course show the spikes when my dual a\c units and other large appliances kick on.)  I have been told peak usage will be in the 12KW range, in these peak times, and that a 24\2 15KW genset will be the ideal gen set for this application.

Q:  Do you think a 24/2 15kw is adequate?

2.  Since my oil supply is huge and free, could I not get a 30KW genset and send MORE power back when I run, with double the size generator, so I can spin meter back faster, thus only running 1/2 the time? 

Q: Is my logic correct?  I would rather run only a day or two a week.  Also, as a insurance that my neighbor would not complain, I could run his home in a hurricane!  This would keep him from being annoyed??!!  (i only have one neighbor)

3.  A lister 24/2 with a 15KW, turn-key is $5200.  A  30KW with all shut off functions is only $4500.  Its also silenced. 

Q:  Wouldn't I be better off with a biggie, run it 1/2 the time?  Is less money, quiet, safe and cheaper.

Sample:  http://cgi.ebay.com/30KW-DIESEL-GENERATOR-SET-PRIME-POWER-480-277-VOLT_W0QQitemZ110035087637QQihZ001QQcategoryZ106437QQcmdZViewItem

Any thoughs or comments are appreciated!

A Texas Newbie

P.S. Seeking Texas Lister friends!