As an option, why not consider buying power off your neighbour (in lieu of running a diesel genset), cabling the system permanently underground, and using an off-grid system to supplement. This way, in periods of clouds, you could charge off the grid, and use the grid connection for low power items like refrigeration. The cable is not very big to run a 300m 220v, 20 A system. Costs go up as the cable size/current draw increases. regards Doug
On Tuesday 18 July 2006 1:27, Ken Provost wrote: > On Jul 17, 2006, at 4:17 PM, Appal Energy wrote: > > ...... you need to size your consumption and determine where > > you can shave peak and continual use to determine your final > > costs..... > > > > There may be no "inconvenience" to tolerate. > > I actually did all that last year, but I believe I was not sufficiently > daring. After some more research and considering all the great > inputs from the group, I believe an offgrid PV system of around > 2000 watts nominal, with some batteries and a 5kW genset, can > be had for nearly the same $ as PGE wants. With some careful > planning, my needs should be covered in the summer without > running the genset much if at all. > > > I'm kind of curious though. If you don't have electricity to the > > manger yet, and you're technically already off the grid by virtue of > > not having any substitute as of yet, just what have you been doing > > for power up to this point? > > 10 awg extension cord 300 feet to a 20A outlet in the neighbor's > garage :-) > > > Or are you still applying the earth plaster and getting ready to wire > > the building? > > Garage is done, house is up to floor joists -- garage bales are > lime plastered, and the wiring is done, from the (as yet unconnected) > breaker box... > > > Personally? You'll be a much happier camper if you stay off the grid. > > Mainstream isn't where it's at. For people who seem to have your > > penchant, me thinks you'd always kick yourself in the butt for not > > having a go at it right out of the chute. > > I think you're spot on there -- after all the financial analysis and > the amps and watts, it comes down to lifestyle and spiritual issues, > like so much else. > > Thanks again for your (and everyone's) inputs on this. I'll let you > know how it plays out....... > > -K _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
