PV Gap

Susan Said:

how do you install solar power on a home that is off grid?

We Answered:

you will need panels, charge controller, batteries and inverter.

Its a very good idea to have a generator for times of low sun.

You can also hook up a wind generator to the same system

If you want to know more look at: http://www.earth4energy.com/solarpower.htm

Sylvia Said:

Bush`s old pig farm ranch has a Organic farm and off the grid power(solar) What about Chaney`s house?

We Answered:

Answer: Who is "Chaney"...
He's not that guy that uses as much energy in a month as most families use in a year, then buys "carbon credits" from himself is he...
I must admit that is a pretty good con, paying yourself to be a glutton.

Edith Said:

off power grid using solar energy?

We Answered:

Well, I have been living off the grid now for about 16 years and love it. I get no elect. bills ever, and even when in town, they have a blackout for whatever reason, all my things are working just fine.. Click on the link below and it will take you to a single page on my web site, which will then give you a diagram/drawing of how solar works in a basic way.

Brett Said:

Anyone off grid using solar power?

We Answered:

yes.. we also use the absolyte batteries..they're virtually maintanance free, none of they hydogen gas leakage from lead batteries, and 10-20 years life instead of the average 5-10years from lead batteries... i can't recomment an automatic photovolaic controller, if that's what you're asking.. we use solar in combination with wind. (when there are rainclouds, often there is enough wind to help you make it until the sun comes out again) good luck!

Randall Said:

Does living "off the grid" just refer to solar power or wind mills?

We Answered:

I looked over some of your other questions. At first I figured you to be a teenager, wanting to live the perfect "green lifestyle."

Read your health problems. Now I see why the earthship answers probably received thumbs down. Earthships are the best type of home to build. However I do not think you would be physically up to pounding all that dirt, and it's extremely hard to hire having an earthship built.

To answer you question, you really need to have a mix of power sources. There will be days the sun does not shine enough to charge the batteries...but the wind is probably blowing.

If you are going to be off grid entirely, you need a mix of 2-5 different sources for your household power.

We will be building entirely off grid. We live in the Pacific Northwest, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. So we can have some pretty cold and snowy winters.

We will have wind, active solar, passive solar, a Central Boiler (brand name), hydro if we can legally, wood stoves (heat), wood cook stove, solar gain from the proper positioning of our home, wind cooling of our home from proper possitioning. We debate installing gas appliances run on propane. That however makes us dependent on companies and we don't really want that. Natural Gas is not an option where we are.

Active solar...charges batteries and provides electric for your use.
Passive solar...only heats up water, and provides hot water that way.
Wind turbines produce electricity
Wind mills grind grain, or pump water

Skystream 3.7 makes a very good wind turbine product for homeowners. Here's a link:
http://www.skystreamenergy.com/


For a protien source, you really need to check out goats. Both the meat, and the milk from goats. Do some research, you may be suprised at how good they are for you, and how gentle both are for the human body to digest.

If you are building your own house, build it to take maximum advantage of solar gain for winter, and prevailing winds for cooling. You can make 50 degree differences in your home just by doing that.

Only build/buy in an area where it is legal for you to have a rainwater catch system. Install a metal roof on your home, and catch your own rainwater.


Start to make lists of what is extremely important to you (cannot live without) and what you are willing to be flexible on. Start doing lots of research. Check books out from your local library and read up on your topics of interest.

Think outside the box (or maybe in the box!). Those places you mentioned are very termite prone. Concider using Conex boxes to build your home. They are made of metal, and easy to use to build homes. You can insulate the outside of them, and get rid of the industrial box look. Best of all, termites cannot eat them!

~Garnet
Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years
Raising meat goats since 1999

Deanna Said:

We want to go totally "off grid" with solar power in NM. Where is the best place to start?

We Answered:

Determine the amount of wattage you'll need. Then size and cost enough solar panels, batteries and electronics to bring it all together. I used a 12V electrical system and gas (propane tank) appliances. The "house" used passive solar for heat and was initially built with energy conservation in mind (insulation, glass, etc.) If I had it to do all over again, I'd go 120-240 volt all electric. The batteries, rectifiers, etc are so much better now. Was fairly expensive at the time but we were able to sell back some power and received federal tax incentives. All in the early 80's northern California 700 square feet. The house still stands but has had additions added and uses a lot of "grid" electricity. Spent a ton of time in the library researching before we started. Good luck.