Researching energy and HVAC sources

[JD]

I'm still in the design phase of my home and I'm considering various energy sources. I plan to build in Alabama so wind is not feasible. I have a few creeks on my property but have very little head and low flow (especially in the summer).
So here's what I've been thinking. The house will be on the grid with the following possible additions. I'm still researching and haven't decided which system to go with but here are the things I've considered.
1. Masonry heater with geothermal heat pump for AC and supplementary heat. Winters aren't typically frigid but there are freak cold snaps sometimes. The summers, however, are plenty hot and humid.
2. Propane stove, maybe fridge too.
3. Solar water heat with propane backup. (probably a demand heater)

I would love to be able to generate all my electricity with PV panels because I like the idea of being energy independant and...it's cool. However, I don't like the idea of 20 plus years for it to pay for itself.
I do plan to implement as many energy saving measures as possible, (high efficency appliances, lights, etc). I already drive my family crazy with my rants about turning off the lights. :0 I tend to keep a dark house except for the room I'm in.

As you can see, I have much to consider but I want to decide before I proceed with my design. Any and all ideas and recommendations are welcome.

Also, can anyone recommend a good book on solar energy? I'm looking for something with lots of good info on theory, system design and construction that doesn't spend a lot of time getting preachy about "global warming". OMG, don't get me started. I'm looking for technical and design help, not a sermon from a hippie. (see my sig below). Thanks, everybody! :)

[rreidnauer]

Everything sounds good but the heatpump. Only a large solar array (and battery bank if you go that route) could handle it, since you're looking at 50Kwh/day +/- 20Kwh) There aren't too many energy conservative AC systems. Swamp coolers are one, but won't work in high humidity areas. Earth tubes are another, (the TRUE heatpump) but your soil conditions/temperature may not be ideal either. AC and energy miser don't go together. The only other option is build the home to help your comfort. It's the reason I'm building with very high ceilings. (nearly 30 ft in the Great room) Keeps the Summer heat as far away from people as possible. Yes, it'll hurt me in the Winter, but it's easier to heat than to cool, so that's my compromise.

Cost and payback: That's a big issue for most. Payback can be a long time, perhaps never, at least at today's energy costs. But if you consider future energy costs, it may be more reasonable. Look at oil, up 58% in the past 12 months. If electric follows, payback will shorten dramatically. But that's the question. Do you continue to use commercial electric, and buy panels when energy costs rise? Will panels cost more then, than now? Will a breakthrough drop panel prices? Will panel demand (and cost) rise when energy costs do? If it's payback you're solely worried about, it's a difficult decision. The good news is, if you plan for it, you can buy your system in increments, so it won't hurt so bad. I bought my $8400 in panels over several purchases over a years time. I doubt I would have dropped that much cash on a single purchase.

As for books, I can't help. The few I seen concentrate on large (read: expensive) systems. For example, I bought a subscription to Homepower, and let the subscription expire. They follow the same path as the log home magazines. The internet still continues to be the best source of information. Places like Mother Earth News (http://www.motherearthnews.com/), Backwoods Home Magazine (http://www.backwoodshome.com/), Build It Solar (http://www.builditsolar.com/), and Otherpower (http://www.otherpower.com/) prove to be great places for those who want to get into RE without throwing the entire savings account into it.

[JD]

Thanks, Rod.
I found a site today that looks like it may yeild some good info. It's the Florida Solar Energy Center http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/
I've started reading their solar thermal manual http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/industry/resources/solar_thermal/manual/ which seems to have a lot of background/history and system design and construction info. You're right about the heat pump. If I have one I'll have to be on the grid but I want to supplement as much as I can so grid power will only be needed for the heavy loads. I'm still considering all options and hopefully I'll be able to design the house so it won't need so much in the way of HVAC.

JD