Comments on: Can I Live A Hi-Tech Life Using Minimal Solar?

By: Off Grid Ebert

Off Grid Ebert — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:17:16 +0000

Bob,

People say you shouldn’t do a grid-tied system now and expect to change over to off-grid later because it will require some major changes to your system (charge controller, battery banks…) and if you know you’re going to untie yourself from the grid you might as well just install an off-grid system and do it now, rather than have to change around your whole system later.

Batteries should last about ten years. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It all depends on how they are cared for. Yes, they become less effiecient as they get older, especially if not properly maintained. But even if maintained well, they will eventually have to be replaced as they become inefficient.

If you want to go through the trouble of climbing up onto your roof you can do that, but we just positioned ours permanently to be at the optimum angle during the winter months since they’ll get all the sun they need in the summer anyway. If you pole-mount your panels it is much easier to move them around to match the angle of the sun, and yes that would make a big difference.

I’m not sure I understand your last question, but if you have a good battery bank and an inverter it shouldn’t matter that you run a well pump as long as you have enough panels to generate the power you need.

By: Bob T From Wisconsin

Bob T From Wisconsin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:14:32 +0000

I have a couple questions but seeing as none of the other questions were answered, I wonder if mine will be.

What is the expected life of your batteries? One of the previous posters mentioned adding batteries later is a bad idea. why? As batteries get older they become less efficient. I would think it a good idea to set up a rotation on your batteries.

2nd question, do you change the pitch of your solar paels to match the angle of the sun?

Last question, do you have a well for your water? Does this become an issue with power drar . (OK, this “Last” question is a compound question) :- )

Thanks

By: Kingazjay

Kingazjay — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:25:45 +0000

Interesting post, but I wouldn’t call this a small system. Living on 4 deep cells, and a single 50watt panel is a small system. We have been able to do this by changing our lifestyle completely.

By: Luis González

Luis González — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:25:18 +0000

You mentioned that you use gas for heating.
Have you considered building a simple water heater for taking showers and wash the dishes?
The simplest, cheapest and more efficient way to do it is by making a thermo-siphon system.

There are many ways to make them, from the simplest form to the more polished ones, but the principle behind them is very simple.
For example, there is a program in Brazil for installing low cost water heaters in low income family homes, and it works great. Usually, all you need is a couple of corrugated PVC sheets, a few hoses and pvc pipes, and a small water tank. Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rGf_3rLR1M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPYVYUlxNHY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqGBgzjsuPo&feature=related

By the way, where is Spain do you live?

Luis

By: Diamond

Diamond — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:08:14 +0000

Dear Mr.Off Grid Ebert,
I applaud you for sharing your off the grid experience. In todays economy many people are searching for alternative way to survive, many trying to be enviromentally consious or just doing what it takes to survive. Living off the grid does not have to be a difficult process or require huge sacrifices. With a little knowledge anyone can set up the average household to run on a budget and convert the house in phases. If I may share my experience. I live in the northeastern U.S. My young sons and I have been off the grid for over a year. Using a small Briggs and Straton generator 7500 watt and 8 – 120 watt and 8 55 watt solar Panels purchased second hand one at a time. We have been builing a battery bank as our budget allows buying (12 volt deep cycle batteries) . we use an inexpensive sine inverter to run the lights in the house. a $50 basic charge controller and a Iota interface to help keep the battery bank charged when the generator is in use, and a 6 circut power converter (all found on the internet..how to sites). We live a very normal life enjoying hot showers. TV. movies high speed internet and even our hot tub and electric blanket on cold nights….The way we accomplish this is to connect the fuse panel curcuits so everything in our house runs into (3) a home made fuse switch panel everthing 220 (well pump, hot water heater, hot tub, oven) run off the generator when they are needed only 2 things on at any given time. Everything else runs off solar or the generator depending on the weather and battery power availability. We do cook on a small propane burner stove and use a turkey cooker to bake with. Heat is wood and propane as needed. it does come with chalanges at times. If we want hot water, we must not forget to turn on the switch when the generator is on or devert the power as needed to a section of our home. On cold morning someone must go out to turn on the generator and maintain the fuel. My children are now very consious of turning off lights, and if they want to play video games or watch TV; something (zone) must be turned off. With rising fuel cost we are very conscious of how long we run things. All power is turned off when we leave home except for the refridgerator, and alarm system. It has been worth the headaches and we are saving for a propane generator and more batteries. It has been a rewarding and learning experience. And if nothing else has strengthened my bond with my boys as we work together on this project and is rewarding to watch them learn to appriciate many things in life.