bee_pipes
03-08-2007, 02:25 AM
We are on a limited income, so things have to be taken piecemeal, and I have come up with a 5 year plan to get self-sufficient with energy. We live in a hollow, which abbreviates the hours of sunlight and does odd things to the wind. However, behind the house is a hill top that looks suitable for energy collection. The problem being the hill is so far away that the only way to get power to the house would be running AC from the inverter to the house.
Here's the basic approach:
1. Clear and improve the hill top.
2. Build a shed for the batteries, charge controller, inverter and other associated hardware.
3. Run and bury a cable from that location to the house with the capacity to carry the AC power required.
4. Inverter
5. Solar array
6. Connect to the grid and house
7. Charge controller
8. Batteries
9. Windmill and associated gear to feed into charge controller.
I realize I have a lot to learn, and this approach may change as work progresses. Much of it would not be possible if we didn't have a sawmill, letting us make timbers and boards from the wooded land we live on. Also, we have no welding capabilities, and the thought of spending a lot of cash for an appliance that will suck so much current from the power system doesn't really appeal to me, neither does the hassle and danger of keeping bottled gas. I came across a few sites where people have built welders using small gas engines, salvaged auto alternators and bull rectifiers. This looks like the way to go.
Our location is not particularly good for wind, but Ewing brought up a good point - when the solar isn't working because of weather, the front bringing bad weather is usually accompanied by winds. Might not be worth the investment in a store-bought mill, but the ones I've seen constructed on OtherPower.COM bring it within reach.
Right now, my hands are full with clearing and building. Gives me time to continue reading and learning. Would appreciate any suggestions on further reading, books etc.
Thanks to the folks at ForceField and OtherPower for putting up a great resource, and you folks for putting so much information on-line. I've barely scratched the surface.
If you have never visited OtherPower.COM, take a look!
Regards,
Pat
Here's the basic approach:
1. Clear and improve the hill top.
2. Build a shed for the batteries, charge controller, inverter and other associated hardware.
3. Run and bury a cable from that location to the house with the capacity to carry the AC power required.
4. Inverter
5. Solar array
6. Connect to the grid and house
7. Charge controller
8. Batteries
9. Windmill and associated gear to feed into charge controller.
I realize I have a lot to learn, and this approach may change as work progresses. Much of it would not be possible if we didn't have a sawmill, letting us make timbers and boards from the wooded land we live on. Also, we have no welding capabilities, and the thought of spending a lot of cash for an appliance that will suck so much current from the power system doesn't really appeal to me, neither does the hassle and danger of keeping bottled gas. I came across a few sites where people have built welders using small gas engines, salvaged auto alternators and bull rectifiers. This looks like the way to go.
Our location is not particularly good for wind, but Ewing brought up a good point - when the solar isn't working because of weather, the front bringing bad weather is usually accompanied by winds. Might not be worth the investment in a store-bought mill, but the ones I've seen constructed on OtherPower.COM bring it within reach.
Right now, my hands are full with clearing and building. Gives me time to continue reading and learning. Would appreciate any suggestions on further reading, books etc.
Thanks to the folks at ForceField and OtherPower for putting up a great resource, and you folks for putting so much information on-line. I've barely scratched the surface.
If you have never visited OtherPower.COM, take a look!
Regards,
Pat