Starting Up With Solar Panels

At USD$800 for a 170 watt solar panel many of us are scared at the cost of buying enough solar panels to power our home. Well, for a home that uses 3Kwh/day it’s around USD$14,000; however, we have a secret that can cut down that cost significantly. It happened by “accident” actually. (forgive the pun)

We were driving down Highway 401(Canada’s busiest divided highway) and noticed an accident ahead. The driver had crashed into one of those mobile signs which indicate to change lanes. The sign was completely ruined, but the panel which was ON TOP didn’t seem to be damaged. We called the company up the following Monday and the receptionist answered “Yes, the signs get hit all the time, and yes, we could probably have the cracked panels after the insurance company looked at them.”

BINGO

It turns out that this company installs 5- 65 watt solar panels on each unit. After getting the company approval we toted away 13 slightly damaged solar panels. After we got them home we tested the current on each of them. It turns out that only two of them were damaged beyond being usable. In total we picked up over 200 watts of panels for the price of the gas it cost to drive there!

We’ve now shown you a source of no-cost solar panels, but we should also know about the different kinds of solar panels because in the last 10 years there have been some amazing advances in this field.

Tried and True Monocrystalline…

For many years monocrystalline solar modules have been the mainstay of the solar market. Those iridescent blue faced panels you have been seeing on rooftops are probably of this type of panels. They have distinct rounded individual solar cells visible from all angles stacked in very uniform rows. This type is produced from a single silicon ingot or crystal. Manufacturing costs are very high because of this process making them the most expensive solar modules on the market. They are, however the most space efficient type of solar panel making them the correct choice when space is at a premium. Monocrystalline cells have a life expectancy far exceeding 25 years, probably over 50 years. The only real problem with this type of cell is it’s fragile nature making it a requirement that it be mounted in a very rigid frame.

Polycrystalline…

Polycrystalline modules are manufactured from a block of multi-crystalline silicon. They are usually square and have a varied, almost mosaic-like appearance. Only slightly less efficient than monocrystalline modules they are cheaper to manufacture and thus cost less money. You can expect the same great lifespan as monocrystalline cells too.

Thin Film…

Recently a new product was introduced into the market that could provide some much needed answers for solar power users. Amorphous silicon PV or thin film technology could make rigid solar panels obsolete if some better research is done. Thin film panels are produced by applying silicon material on glass or stainless steel, or more commonly between two pieces of flexible laminate material. Solid or rigid thin film panels are in use by flexible laminated thin film panels are more popular.

The flexible panels can be applied to any surface and sometimes used as roofing material. Most customers like the almost seamless blending of solar panels right into their roof top. Saving you the cost of regular shingles or steel roofing, thin film solar panels are a good choice. These panels are not nearly as efficient at converting light to electricity when compared to mono or polycrystalline solar panels- not nearly by half.

You would need twice the space to accommodate their installation. From a manufacturing standpoint they do absorb light more efficiently though, allowing for a thinner design and less material being used in their manufacture. The real benefit, because less material is needed, is in the simplified manufacturing process resulting in lowered costs to build. The lower price has pushed thin film panels to the lead in price per watt of output.

Grid Tie Renewable Energy Setup

A common route to take when you decide to switch over to renewable energy is a “Grid-Tie” setup. What this means is your house is tied in with your renewable energy system and tied in to the power grid. The reason this is such a popular route to take is that it allows you to move to renewable energy as you can afford it.

The beauty of a grid-tie system is that it can be configured two ways. The first way is to set up your system with solar panels and wind generators and hook them up to a battery bank. This battery bank is then hooked up to an inverter and powers some of the appliances in your home. This system costs more and is harder to install for several reasons. Firstly, you need to do some re-wiring of your home to integrate you renewable energy system. This requires a licensed electrician and can be a time consuming process. Secondly, you have to buy a battery bank to store the electricity that you generate.

The second setup which is more cost effective and easier in the long run is to simply wire your system directly into the power grid. What this means is that the electricity you produce is being fed through your meter. It’s really cool to watch it spin backwards. There are some things that you should know about this setup though. You will have to check local laws to see whether this type of system is allowed, and you will have to check with your energy company to see whether they will allow you to run this type of system. Lastly, you will need a licensed electrician to do the setup. This way has several advantages though. You don’t need to initially spend a huge amount of money to get up and running, and expanding simply means hooking another solar panel up. You also don’t have to do any re-wiring to your house.

As time goes on you can add solar panels faster because your electricity bill has gone down, and after it reaches $0 you can start buying batteries for the storage system.

For those of us who can’t afford to make the switch to off grid living all at once this is the way to go. It allows you to build your system one piece at a time as you can afford it. It may take you 2-5 years to get running completely on renewable energy, but it is definitely worth it.

If you’d like more information go to my website living-off-grid.com. There is information regarding everything to do with renewable energy.

Building A Wind Generator

Building a wind generator is a much more cost effective solution than buying one. The average price of a 1000 watt wind generator is USD $2500. I would have to save up for more than a year to be able to buy one. That’s why I built my own wind generator.

It’s not as difficult as you might think either. A wind generator has some basic parts. I’ll deal with the tower first.

Many people have researched and found that buying a wind tower is very expensive. That’s true, but when I built mine I actually made $100 getting it. You see, many people these days have switched to satellite television, but they still have those television towers up. I was doing some construction at a house and noticed this. I asked the guy if I could buy it off of him. He told me “I’ll give you $100 dollars to take that thing away.

The next part of a wind generator is the generator. I really like wind generators because they allow you to produce AC or DC power. This is good for several reasons. First, if you don’t have the money for a battery system you can hook up an AC motor and generate AC power for your house. As you can afford batteries you can switch the motor to a DC one and charge the battery system.

Now for the most important part of your wind generator- the blades. Another trick that we’ve learned to make blades is to use PVC tubing. I know it sounds crazy, but a correctly cut PVC pipe works great as a wind generator blade. The plus side of using PVC as blades is that they are very strong.

The last piece you need for your wind generator is the vane. This can be made out of anything. Mine is a triangle I cut out of some plastic.

Assembling the wind generator is usually a whole day job– good for a weekend– you need to set up the tower and secure it with 5 guy wires. These wires are important as they provide stability so your wind generator doesn’t fall down. You will have to mount the turbine on the top- which should be done before you set up your tower. Make sure to attach the wires to the generator because I’ve forgotten.

You will probably want to do some load testing on your generator to see the wattages it produces at different wind speeds.

Living on Green Energy

With today’s rising energy costs, and no relief in sight, many consumers are looking to live “off the grid.” Even with an initial investment that can be steep, the benefits make it much more economical in the long run.

There are small and some not so small ways why off the grid living is a good alternative today. Even though the economical outlay can be steep at first, in the long run it definitely makes more sense for the environment.

Raising your own food is a good way to begin living off the grid. This way, you eat organically while being secure in the knowledge that no dangerous hormones or chemicals are being introduced into your animals.

A cow can provide milk, butter and ultimately beef and leather. Chickens can provide eggs and meat, and flavoring for soup stock. Sheep can provide wool for warmth, and lambs for food; while goats are very good milk producers. Once you have a garden set up, you should never be short of vegetables. Canning and freezing is simple and cost effective for greens all winter long.

People that choose to live off the grid usually do require transportation, but with the availability of hybrid cars; and the research towards possible ethanol fueled cars; wanting to avoid oil products is not as much of a hindrance now. The Amish have the best means of transportation with their horse and buggies. Of course, maintenance on the buggies and upkeep for the horses can be time consuming, but the benefit of no oil product consumption is a great motivator. Horses can also be used for plowing fields, entertainment and also as income if breeding is something one was interested in.

Buying clothes is becoming much more expensive these days. Children as young as five can’t go to school in hand me downs or thrift store clothing because they will be teased. When living off the grid, you don’t need to be stylish, and you probably have no desire to be stylish either. Spinning wool from your sheep, and knitting or weaving clothes and blankets is a great way to save money. Of course, these days, handspun wool can be a great income generator, as well as wool products, such as handknit sweaters and socks. Buying fabric from a local merchant is less expensive than buying clothes in a store, and can be just as nice as long as you know the basics of sewing. For some, sewing may be difficult, but that is an easy hurdle to overcome. There is always someone who would be willing to barter, especially if you are located near anyone else who chooses off the grid living. Sharing your talents with others make self sustainable living much more enjoyable.

Generating heat and energy is always a concern for those who choose to live off the grid. There are several choices available, but the initial investment can be steep. Once the infrastructure is setup, there is no reason to pay your power bill monthly, or to worry that you are going to freeze in the middle of the night during a storm. Having your own power supply means freedom from being at the mercy of repair crews in the middle of the night when the power line has been knocked down, and also is much safer. Power is not vital to survival, and life can be enjoyable without it.

There are two power supply options with readily available instructions online. Solar and wind energy can be very efficient, and have the benefit of being much cleaner than coal, oil or gas, and definitely much safer than nuclear power plants. There are several sources of this information available… just search “off grid living”

The Amish community is a good example of living off the grid. They have even been able to integrate into the community without sacrificing their values or their way of life. If more people were willing and able to follow their lead, our carbon footprint would be lessened, and our dependence on foreign oil would be nonexistent.

If we each made some small progress in living green, there would be more people willing to make that next step to move off the grid, and our world would be a much cleaner home for all.

Going Off Grid Becoming a More Affordable Way to Fight High Energy Bills

In an unlikely bit of irony, Daryl Hannah, who first rose to screen stardom as a mermaid in “Splash”, has been living “off of the land” (off grid) for more than twenty years in the Rocky Mountains. And, according to the article by Nick Rosen for Reuters International Press Service, she’s become an eco-activist, demonstrating and protesting against those who continue to harm the environment, while also trying to get more Americans to switch to biofuels from fossil fuels.

Like many of the environmentalists living off grid back in the 70s and 80s, Hannah’s primary purpose for going off grid was her concern for the good of the planet, according to Rosen. For most of those pioneers, living was a return to the pre-electricity age. For those like Hannah with the financial resources, off grid start-up costs took fifteen to twenty years for a return on investment to be realized.

As energy costs have skyrocketed in the past few years; solar, wind and hydro power technologies have seen major advances as well as decreasing installation costs. Off grid living has become much more attractive and affordable to many Americans. In an article in 2006, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that an estimated 180,000 Americans lived off grid.

In May of this year on the Environmental News Network, Reuters’ Rosen, also the author of the book How to Live off Grid, reported that around 350,000 Americans had disconnected their utilities and operated their homes from natural energy sources. Besides fighting the rising cost of energy prices, the growth of the off grid population has found other advantages to becoming unplugged from public utilities.

The most appealing aspect has been the decreasing cost of building an off grid home. One source reported that the cost of installing solar panels has dropped 80% in the past twenty years. In fact, according to Reuters’ Rosen, solar panel manufacturing has grown to the point where there’ll be a glut on the market soon, driving the price even lower. Other experts suggest that with more buyers interested in off grid living, builders have begun constructing off grid homes at prices only slightly higher than traditional homes. We noted that homes built to be used off grid can also be easily converted back to utility-connected homes so there’s no risk when owners want to sell them.

Appliance manufacturers have also seen the opportunity in supplying off grid homeowners’ needs. Instead of power-sucking air conditioners, furnaces, washing machines and the like, manufacturers have responded to consumer demands with more energy efficient versions. Now in mainstream production, Energy Star appliances and compact florescent lighting make off grid homeowners as comfortable as those still getting monthly utility bills in their mailboxes.

Todd Bogatay’s house in Bisbee, Arizona, has a satellite TV hookup and an internet connection giving him all the access to the outside world as his bill-paying neighbors, according to Tom Gaynor of Reuters on www.enn.com from May 28 of this year.

In his article, Gaynor also reported that a developer of a subdivision in rural Iowa offers plots that include free wind and solar power from shared sources as well as water from a rainwater collection system and waste recycling. Lonnie Gamble, the developer, told Gaynor, “You can have hot showers and cold beer. You have no water bill, no sewer bill and no power bill…Why would you ever do anything else?”

State governments and even utility companies have taken note of the benefits of off grid living. In his article, Gaynor noted that ten states from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to California offer incentives including grants and tax credits for installing solar panels. He also reported that power companies in several states, like Arizona Public Service, offer subsidies to consumers who plan to meet their own power needs as a way to ease the growing demand for power from on-grid customers.

With the advent of the “Go Green” movement, many Americans conserve energy by turning off lights in empty rooms, unplugging appliances not in use, driving less and shopping smarter. More farsighted citizens have gone further. They’ve gone off grid altogether and found ways to meet their own energy needs. And they’ve become very fervent believers. In his www.enn.com article, Gaynor quoted a veteran off-gridder. “I like being my own power company. I wouldn’t take their electricity if they brought it to my back door,” Chris Allen said, “Living like this is financially and mentally very healthy.”

How To Build a Wind Generator Yourself

If I was to choose the easiest way to get off grid I would learn how to build a wind generator. You see, a wind generator can be built for under $150 and can produce over 1000 watts of power. That’s enough to cut down an average family’s electric bill in half. Just think, for $300 you could build 2 wind generators and not have to pay the electric company anymore!

You don’t really need to be a technical person to learn how to build a wind generator, all you need are some basic DIY skills.

Wind generators can be thought of as three parts that come together to form it. There are the blades and tail, the generator, and the tower.

The blades and tail are made from 6″ to 10″ blue or green sewer pipe. You can usually find this as scrap at your local contractors. It is then cut into blades using measurements found in plans. After cutting the blades you will need to coat them with some UV paint so that they don’t get brittle from the sun. The tail can be made from plastic or plywood it really doesn’t matter. The only job it does is to keep your wind generator facing into the wind.

The motor for the wind generator can be found very cheap on eBay. It’s best to look for a motor that produces 12V at around 400 rpms. The reason for this is that DC motor output power is different from the amount that it can generate… so always shoot higher.

The tower is usually the most expensive part of the wind generator… not anymore though! We were helping one of our friends with is roof and noticed he had an old TV tower up… even though he had installed satellite a year or so ago. We asked him if we could take it down and have it. He told us he’d give us $50 to take it away! So we had a 50 foot TV tower which are very sturdy. We added some extra guy-wires for strength and the tower has never moved– even in 40MPH winds!

So, you can see why you should learn how to build a wind generator. It’s the most cost effective way to fire your electric company.

The Benefits of Off Grid Living

Off grid living is the new craze that is sweeping through America? This environmentally friendly and cost effective way of self sufficiently producing electricity abolishes the constraints of being tied to utility “grid” demands.

This revolutionary way of life is in no way reflective of the previously common “hippie lifestyle” envisioned by urbanized Americans. Images of relying on ecologically friendly veggie patches and a free water system from the nearby stream are a pre historic myth of the past. Americans are now aware that the principles of off grid living may be applied to any house throughout the country, including those presently ‘on’ the grid. New Yorkers, Californians, Texans, are all looking into these ‘free’ methods of energy production, from solar panels to personal wind generators the curiosity surrounding off grid living is constantly heightening. So why it is only now American citizens are ready to break this ‘ball and chain’ relationship with government and corporate establishments?

Today society now has a higher access to information on off grid living. Information portals such as the ‘world wide web’, seminars, and media advertising are all assisting in shedding true light on this innovative form of existence. People are now aware that by converting to off grid living they do not have to sacrifice the small luxuries in life they have previously spent so long working for. They can research what methods would suit their locality and circumstances through others personal experiences. The world of off grid living is no longer a big black pit.

The previous costs incurred by moving to off grid living have greatly reduced over the past few years. The prior extortionate costs involved with such a lifestyle have been reduced by factors such as an increase in competitive service provider’s e.g. solar panel specialists. As people now have access to a wider scale of information from both at home and overseas they are able to research the more cost effective and review DIY methods available. While the energy demand continues to increase against capacity, those living off grid can sleep easy knowing their energy costs are decreasing and eventually diminishing.

Presently regardless of geographic location we are all starting to feel the consequences of our careless living. As we have casually ravaged through our non renewable resources we are now left with the question, how much longer can they last? Celebrities, heads of state and local communities are now taking note and joining together in the fight against global warming. Those living off grid often choose to do so with the environmental benefits in mind. By converting your house to a more ecologically friendly way of functioning you will greatly decrease your carbon footprint, which is essential for slowing down and hopefully stopping global warming.

Those living off grid may enjoy the relief of never having to receive those dreaded bills through the letterbox. They enjoy the satisfaction of never again having to succumb to an increase in electricity costs reflecting the rate of inflation (something your paycheck rarely seems to do). Their fulfillment of being able to watch their favorite T.V program while neighbors sit harboring candles through a local blackout becomes invaluable. As well as environmental and financial reasons, the added bonus of having independence through self sufficiency make off grid living extremely attractive to everyone.

It is fairly simple to see why off grid living is increasing in popularity throughout the country. Although the start-up cost of such a lifestyle may initially be relatively high it is safe to say that the value of saving our planet is priceless.

The Benefits of Off Grid Living

Off grid living is the new craze that is sweeping through America? This environmentally friendly and cost effective way of self sufficiently producing electricity abolishes the constraints of being tied to utility “grid” demands.

This revolutionary way of life is in no way reflective of the previously common “hippie lifestyle” envisioned by urbanized Americans. Images of relying on ecologically friendly veggie patches and a free water system from the nearby stream are a pre historic myth of the past. Americans are now aware that the principles of off grid living may be applied to any house throughout the country, including those presently ‘on’ the grid. New Yorkers, Californians, Texans, are all looking into these ‘free’ methods of energy production, from solar panels to personal wind generators the curiosity surrounding off grid living is constantly heightening. So why it is only now American citizens are ready to break this ‘ball and chain’ relationship with government and corporate establishments?

Today society now has a higher access to information on off grid living. Information portals such as the ‘world wide web’, seminars, and media advertising are all assisting in shedding true light on this innovative form of existence. People are now aware that by converting to off grid living they do not have to sacrifice the small luxuries in life they have previously spent so long working for. They can research what methods would suit their locality and circumstances through others personal experiences. The world of off grid living is no longer a big black pit.

The previous costs incurred by moving to off grid living have greatly reduced over the past few years. The prior extortionate costs involved with such a lifestyle have been reduced by factors such as an increase in competitive service provider’s e.g. solar panel specialists. As people now have access to a wider scale of information from both at home and overseas they are able to research the more cost effective and review DIY methods available. While the energy demand continues to increase against capacity, those living off grid can sleep easy knowing their energy costs are decreasing and eventually diminishing.

Presently regardless of geographic location we are all starting to feel the consequences of our careless living. As we have casually ravaged through our non renewable resources we are now left with the question, how much longer can they last? Celebrities, heads of state and local communities are now taking note and joining together in the fight against global warming. Those living off grid often choose to do so with the environmental benefits in mind. By converting your house to a more ecologically friendly way of functioning you will greatly decrease your carbon footprint, which is essential for slowing down and hopefully stopping global warming.

Those living off grid may enjoy the relief of never having to receive those dreaded bills through the letterbox. They enjoy the satisfaction of never again having to succumb to an increase in electricity costs reflecting the rate of inflation (something your paycheck rarely seems to do). Their fulfillment of being able to watch their favorite T.V program while neighbors sit harboring candles through a local blackout becomes invaluable. As well as environmental and financial reasons, the added bonus of having independence through self sufficiency make off grid living extremely attractive to everyone.

It is fairly simple to see why off grid living is increasing in popularity throughout the country. Although the start-up cost of such a lifestyle may initially be relatively high it is safe to say that the value of saving our planet is priceless.

Sustainable Living

Off grid living is a self-sufficient lifestyle where one does not rely on public utilities for basic services such as water, sewer, electricity, or natural gas. Typically, off grid living relies heavily on renewable energy sources as well as using conservation to reduce needs. Off grid living is often done for altruistic reasons, such as to help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, and it can also have economic benefits as well.

One major consideration in off grid living is energy. While it is possible to live off the grid by burning fuel such as wood or petroleum products, there can be a strong environmental benefit to using renewable sources such as wind, geothermal or solar power. While using renewable sources has a high start-up cost, the lack of a monthly utility bill as well as taking advantage of tax benefits and government programs may make it a better economic choice in the long run. Excess power generation can often be sold back to energy companies in order to receive rebates. Because the capital investment for a single domestic unit can be very high, local groups also exist to pool resources and save money.

Certain circumstances make off the grid living even more desirable. Remote locations may be too far away to feasibly get resources from the grid. Also, residences that are used only occasionally, such as vacation cabins, may not need the same amenities as a day-to-day domicile. However, if using conservation, it is still possible to have a good quality of life and reduce or eliminate your dependence on the grid at home.

Living on Green Energy Today

Our “modern” society is more like a “captive” society. How, you may ask? Through our dependence upon energy companies of all sorts, we have chosen to tether our lives to the “services” they provide. We are prisoners of our own choosing, allowing our livelihood to be determined by whether or not electricity flows through our homes, gasoline flows in our vehicles, or piped-in water flows through our kitchen faucets. This type of dependency on other companies for our lives and our comfort is called living “on the grid”. In fact, our dependency has become so severe that entire cities come to a complete stand still when the electric goes out after a storm! In some locations, people lose their lives due to extreme heat and cold when they have no electricity! Yet, despite the advanced technology in our country, we fail to seek any other means of supporting ourselves!

Today, a growing number of citizens are discovering the benefits of living off-grid, without any “modern” utilities, by using innovations in wind, solar, and other eco-friendly forms of energy! These people never have to worry about paying for a utility bill, drinking chemical-laden tap water, or the soaring gasoline prices! They have learned how to use age-old techniques and modern technologies to create a pleasant, comfortable lifestyle. Every modern comfort of life, such as air conditioning, lights, and transportation are still used on a daily basis.

Those who enjoy off-grid living today are never affected by high gas prices, because they produce their own fuel! They never worry about a malfunction at the local electric company, downed power lines, or a high electric bill that they simply cannot afford to pay. They have no concern for the cold of winter, for they remain warm and toasty in their homes with free energy!

Many individuals dream of living off-grid, but can’t afford to do so. In reality, setting up your home for off-grid living is much less expensive than paying monthly bills. Some individuals choose to transform their homes into totally self-sufficient dwellings as a gradual process, while others do all of the modifications all at once.