Solar Power for Homes
A young couple has taken an alternative approach to setting up a small yet robust solar power for homes system for under $2200. Here, they detail how they set up their very own solar power for homes system pretty much from scratch. They did all this with very little outside help and even less of the basic equipment that traditionally goes into setting up a solar power for homes system.
The three reasonable alternatives would be grid hook-up, fossil fuel generator, or solar power for homes. Our creeks not being of sufficient flow and hundred-foot plus high forest made both hydroelectric and wind power impractical.
In setting up our solar power for homes system, for photovoltaic panels we chose the SP75 that at the time were made by Siemens. These robust mono-crystalline cells have been around since the invention of solar cells and they have proven themselves tough, long-lived, and efficient.
So what can you push with this simple little solar power for homes system?
Well, we run two cottages and a 40-chicken chicken house. In the cottages there are
• several lights (one 8W, two 22W, two 32W 12VDC fluorescents, and four incandescent lights);
• two 108ft sup 3 displacement fans for the shower and the composting toilet respectively;
• two computers running on 12VDC;
• auto CD/stereo;
• DVD playe
• weather alert radio
• nickel metal hydride battery charger for camera
• walkie-talkies
• flashlights
• portable players
• and everything else.
For those appliances using 120VAC we have two modified-sine inverters. A400W for Raye’s sewing machines and just about any other small appliance. There is also a 750W inverter for small tools, a grain mill, and the 52-inch Hunter ceiling fan.
Our chicken coop is illuminated with a twin 15W tube fluorescent ceiling light for keeping enough light hours during winter in order to keep the hens producing eggs. There is also another of the 108ft sup 3 fans in the coop that keeps the odor out and the cool air in.
Our solar power for homes system, including all the wiring, components, etc. had to come in under the $4,000 cost of getting the power company grid set up out in our place. That proved to be a target we met at nearly half cost. Part of the savings was the result of doing all the work ourselves, part looking for bargains and salvageable components.
The panels for our solar power for homes system are guaranteed for 25 years, and with a similar insignificant decline in output over that time to no less than around 80% quoted output. Think about this: after 25 years even at 80% there will be quite sufficient power to run all our stuff. The components were already paid for at purchase, and they paid for themselves several years back, too!
We hope that our learning experience with an alternative energy system will encourage others to consider jumping off the grid if their situation is similar. We would also like to hear from others working towards a sustainable lifestyle and living off the land.
So you can see that where there is a will there is a way. Consider setting up your own solar power for homes system. These guys did it themselves. You don’t have to do it this way. This example is cited for you to see that it can be done, even under extreme circumstances. So get your solar power for homes system underway today!
