Does anyone here use wind/solar power as a main system or for back-up? Would you mind telling us about your experiences? I am very interested in this and just wonder what it is like, what it costs, etc...any details you would like to share!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 07, 2002

Answers

I'd especially like to know what people do for a backup system for their wells in case of a prolonged power outage. (For wells 200-300 ft deep) We're fortunate to almost never have power outages here, and when we do they're very short. But since Sept. 11 I've been thinking we need to get serious about an alternate way to run our well pump. We have 60 horses plus goats, sheep, etc. so hauling water is not very attractive.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), February 07, 2002.

My husband installed a generator transfer switch on our electric box so that if we do have a power outage we can run a few things like our well and freezer for a little while each day. Since he installed it we haven't had to use it but the knowledge of it as a backup is very reassuring. We have an all electric house and getting water was a big concern for us. That answers one question but not yours Melissa. Nancy

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), February 07, 2002.

When we built our house, we built it facing the south, with three stories of windows facing south and story and half facing north, plus a light color roof-we really save on heating/cooling costs. Our well goes down about 150 feet. We are looking at puting a solar panel on the pumphouse roof to run the pump. We probably wont do it this year-we do have access to other sources of water in an emergency, so there are things higher on the priority list. Also on the list is a solar water heater. Our top priority this year is getting and installing a woodstove in the basement-we have a good stand of timber, so that would be a good off grid heat source. While we're waiting, we are practicing tight water conservation partly for enviromental reasons but also we are not sure how much water a solar system will be able to handle.

One thing that J.D. Belanger said that really stuck with me is that if you do get solar energy it will only be able to handle a small amount of power, many off grid homes can only supply about one forth the power of the typical American house. I think most of us on this forum allready practice enery conservation. One thing we are doing while scaping up the money to go solar is using as little electcity/water as possable-with tax return money, we are getting an energy/water efficent washer. Of course I have my good old pressure washer if I need it!

-- Kelly (KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

This is a timely question. We are currently putting together an off the grid system. We are starting small and will add to it as we go. As my hubby says, the first thing you do is conserve. Our needs are not as great as some, we are two. Computers are our source of livelyhood, and I am currently shopping for 2 LCD monitors, so we can run our desktops. We do have a laptop for now. We were very fortunate to get an artesian well. We have enough head to generate 1 kw per day from that. We have a hydro generator ready to hook up, with a 1500 watt inverter. I am not well enough versed to tell you the type of gauges etc that are involved in the system. Hubby and our system advisor decided on a bank of 4 batteries. In a few months we will add 2 solar panels and by next winter wind. We also have a gas powered generator for any extra we need till we are up to par. Also, we can fire it up for such things as the vacumm, washer, and laser printer. These are our power hogs. We are putting in a tankless water heater. I am still searching for the best price online by the way, if anyone has any suggestions. I think I've been everywhere looking. We have wood heat but will probably convert to either propane or kerosene. This is necessary for us as we are not fit enough to cut and haul our own wood. We will have propane fridge and stove. The propane will be a monthly bill, but our only one for the household so we are happy with that, for now. We are putting this all together at the present time. Currently we are watching the septic system being completed. Hopefully within the next month we'll have a roof over our heads, with our own power.

-- Thrifty Sarrah (olefashion@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Keep us up to date Sarah, sounds awesome so far. I wish we could do it!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 07, 2002.