Living off the grid

[64osby]

Re: Living off the grid

Once bought something from a guy who lived off the grid.

He bought a couple of solar panels (old DOT road signs) and a couple of forklift batteries. Wired his whole house for 12v.

Heated with wood and home made solar collectors, 8" thick large glass faced boxes 10'x16' with black metal roofing material on the inside. Cool air in on the bottom and warm air came out the top.

He said he'd been off the grid for 15 years.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Living off the grid

Thanks Scott. We are now all enlightened. I would have never thought a hospital would have had a backup generator. By the way standby generator at a cell tower means you better be standing there if you expect it to run.

there is stand-by and emergency stand-by. both run automatically in the event of a power failure. emergency stand-by has a minute to come on, and is allowed to shut down to save itself. Emergency standby comes on in under 10 seconds, and in many cases runs to destruction (ignoring any shut-downs such as over temp, low oil, etc.)

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Living off the grid

OP,
I install solar systems for a living. I put these systems in customers homes all day every day. Some we install as just grid tied to spin the meter backward and reduce or eliminate the power bill. Some we install with a battery back-up. Some are off grid.
Just about everyone that calls us says they want to get off the grid. They think it will be fun, cheap, easy, whatever. When I explain how net metering works where you can remain connected to the grid and not have to pay much of a bill then they understand.
If I were you I would install a grid tied system with battery back-up. Xantrex, Outback, and SMA all make excellent systems for this application. All of their inverters have transfer switches built in. If you don't want to net meter then Magnum is another brand to consider.
Most of the systems we put into homes are $30,000 to $40,000 systems. The smallest ones are about $12,000. All the equipment works well and has great warranties. The paperwork with the power company and the local inspector is usually very straightforward in this area.
The payback time around here is about 12 years. It varies greatly across the country depending on how much sun you get and what local or state tax incentives are available. Of course, the cost of electricity has a huge impact on pay back time.
The federal income tax credit of 30% is currently in effect until the end of 2016. That can help turn a $30,000 system in to a $21,000 system.