I want to set up an off grid power system for my house?

Question

I am wondering what is the best way to go about this. I am pondering solar, and wind power. My house will be about 5200 sq ft when it is finished and will be very energy efficient. Does anybody know of a system that is cost effective for these types of applications? Any advice or insight would help. Thanks

Answer 1

A house that is 5200 sq ft can not be very energy efficient, it can be energy efficient for its size but you should first check why you need that much space.

As for the renewable energies, diversifying can help off-grid systems by reducing the amount of days of autonomy.  The days of autonomy are how many consecutive days you need energy that none may be provided by your generators.  The higher the days of autonomy, the more batteries you need and the more expensive your system becomes.  With wind and solar you have less chance of many consecutive days without energy being generated.  

Finally one last castigation, if you are going to be in a town, or otherwise very near the grid, you should consider doing a grid-intertie system which will allow you to minimize size, cost and waste (although if the grid power goes out, usually yours will as well).

Good luck.

Answer 2

Check out www.homepower.com.  They have lots of tutorials, calculators and resources.

Answer 3

use wind if you have the site for it, it will be very efficent and practical.... total economic payback time will be 2-4 years. anywhere between $1000-$20000

Solar will be a lot more costly with a total economic payback time of about 20-25 years, a total system will cost minimum $15000 and up to 50k depending how much you need.

Look into evacuated tubes for solar hot water systems.

http://www.solarlord.com.au

Good evacuated tube company.

They look better and are much more efficent and work good in cold and cloudy weather.

These are best systems to heat your hot water which is largest energy consumer in the home. Also these do heating, I would have a look at getting hydronic heating under the slabs as this is most efficent way to evenly heat your house and you can set up solar evacuated tube heating systems very cheap.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

First, you want to minimize electric usage and make windows small.  Solar heating thru windows only works if you have window blankets for night time.  My main windows are 76 inches wide and 30 inches tall.  I get good views and minimum heat loss.  I have reflective blinds to lower at night to keep heat in.

The choice between solar and wind power depends on location.  If you are in a valley or surrounded by trees, wind power will be no good.  I have active solar heat and get about 30% of my heating from it.  I burn wood during the day and let the solar take over at night.

If you are going to use solar panels to generate electricity,  run as many things as possible on DC.  It is inefficient to convert to AC then to convert to DC to run things like TV and Computer.   Use flourescent lights and solid state ballasts, if you can find them.  I had a 4 foot light for my camper that ran on 12 volts and used about 6 watts.  Your stove and refrigerator can run on propane making your power requirements minimal.