Off Grid-Power
The first thing people associate with off-grid living is solar power. It is true that solar power is a large part of being off the grid. We live in a modern world where most people consider living with anything less than normal whitegoods such as fridge, freezers, washing machine, toaster and kettle as barbaric.
So the question can rightly be raised as to what is possible with off-grid solar power. You may have heard horror stories about people using dim 12v lighting, candles and hand powered washing machines to exist off the grid. You may also have heard about $50 000 solar system installations that make you think twice. Never fear a modern system can be had for a affordable price!
My system currently consists of 2kw of solar panels, 8kw sine wave inverter, 1250aH @ 24v lead acid batteries. This allows us to:
- Cook using a microwave during the day as much as we like, and some at night
- Use standard household lighting
- Use a normal Coffee Machine!!!!
- Use a normal (effiecent) fridge
- Use a normal chest freezer
- Watch tv for 4-6hours per night
- Run our pressure pump for a hour or so for showers/washing up at night
- Run fans at night for as much as we like
- Use a toaster when the sun is up
The list above is by no means exhaustive but does give you an idea that living off-grid is not as restrictive as it used to be in times past. The off-grid power system is made up of several components that are broken up into seperate pages to give further detail in there design, build and installtion. These components include:
- Solar Panels
- Inverter
- Batteries
- Solar Charge Controllers
- Wind Generator
- Wind Controller
- Fossil Fuel Generators
- Bulk Chargers
- Sytem Controller
Our Off-Grid power system to date has cost us around $6500 AUD mark.