Solarcabin Channel
Solar Addict
For the people considering an off grid system I have been off grid over 20 years with just a small system and have not had a utility bill in all that time.
No bill for electricity, water, sewer, gas and I don't even pay for garbage collection as I haul and compost my own.
The only bills I have are for phone/internet, propane and car insurance/registration.
I could eliminate those if needed and the phone/internet is used mostly for communicating with family, work online and entertainment. I have a wood stove with water heater backup and my solar will run cooking appliances so I could eliminate propane. Last year I got an ebike with a trailer and I can ride to town to resupply with that. An EV car would be a nice addition but would require a much larger expensive system. I may try to build one next year.
My system is ground mount to be safer and make maintenance easier and I have two 400 watt solar setups with LIFEPO4 batts (just replaced the old AGMs) and a 200 watt recharging station using a power station. I have several portable solar panels and power stations I keep charged if I have low sun days in winter. The main system is 1.4Kw with 800Ah of LIFEPO4 batteries.
I have most of the same modern conveniences of any home but my appliances are low power designed for off grid and camping to work with my system. 12 volt water pump for sinks and shower, OD propane water heater, LED lights, two 12/24 volt fridge/freezers, evaporative cooler (low humidity area), laptop, TV, apartment washing machine (hang dryer), induction cooktop, air fryer, toaster oven, electric mower and snow blower, lots of power tools and gadgets.
I have a gas generator for backup but haven't had to use it for over a year. I start it once in awhile just to keep it lubricated.
Everyone's power needs may be different but my point is you can live very comfortably with just a small affordable solar power system most places even in the city. You can set up an off grid system without the hassle of codes, hiring installers, and you can expand a small system until you can cover all your basic needs. Stay connected to the grid and just pay the connection fee and have that as your backup for your own solar power production and you can take care of your families needs in a power emergency.
Ok, hope that helps and winter is coming!
No bill for electricity, water, sewer, gas and I don't even pay for garbage collection as I haul and compost my own.
The only bills I have are for phone/internet, propane and car insurance/registration.
I could eliminate those if needed and the phone/internet is used mostly for communicating with family, work online and entertainment. I have a wood stove with water heater backup and my solar will run cooking appliances so I could eliminate propane. Last year I got an ebike with a trailer and I can ride to town to resupply with that. An EV car would be a nice addition but would require a much larger expensive system. I may try to build one next year.
My system is ground mount to be safer and make maintenance easier and I have two 400 watt solar setups with LIFEPO4 batts (just replaced the old AGMs) and a 200 watt recharging station using a power station. I have several portable solar panels and power stations I keep charged if I have low sun days in winter. The main system is 1.4Kw with 800Ah of LIFEPO4 batteries.
I have most of the same modern conveniences of any home but my appliances are low power designed for off grid and camping to work with my system. 12 volt water pump for sinks and shower, OD propane water heater, LED lights, two 12/24 volt fridge/freezers, evaporative cooler (low humidity area), laptop, TV, apartment washing machine (hang dryer), induction cooktop, air fryer, toaster oven, electric mower and snow blower, lots of power tools and gadgets.
I have a gas generator for backup but haven't had to use it for over a year. I start it once in awhile just to keep it lubricated.
Everyone's power needs may be different but my point is you can live very comfortably with just a small affordable solar power system most places even in the city. You can set up an off grid system without the hassle of codes, hiring installers, and you can expand a small system until you can cover all your basic needs. Stay connected to the grid and just pay the connection fee and have that as your backup for your own solar power production and you can take care of your families needs in a power emergency.
Ok, hope that helps and winter is coming!