Off the Grid Solar Power
Harnessing Energy From the Sun
Off the grid solar power is one of the most popular and practical ways to cut down on your energy costs or even get off the grid completely.
This "sun power" can be used in two ways:
- To heat things, such as water or air. This is known as thermal energy.
- To create electricity. This is known as photovoltaics.
This is what most folks think of when they’re talking about off the grid solar power.
Photo means light and voltaics means electricity. PV panels convert light energy directly into an electrical current.
This current can either be used immediately or stored in a battery for later use.
Off the Grid Solar Power
Heating Things Up With The Sun
A god quality solar oven like this Global Sun Oven - Solar Cooker makes cooking with the sun a breeze.
There are several reasonably-priced options for obtaining thermal heat from the sun as well.
You can also cook your food using a solar cooker.
Use it especially during the summer days to cut down on your electrical costs (no hot stove on, thus less strain on your
air conditioner) and save energy (no electricity used to power your stove).
If you'd like to save money on the cost of hot water, there are a couple of options available.
If you live in a really sunny location where it rarely freezes, a passive batch water heater might be just the ticket for you.
Otherwise, you will need a more active system using flat plate collectors.
An excellent article explains these two systems that heat your water using the sun's rays.
Off the Grid Solar Power
Getting a Charge From Photovoltaics
Solar panels, such as the ones found in this Solar Power Kit help you get off the grid.
Solar panels - also known as photovoltaic modules -
are cells packaged behind a glass sheet to protect them from the environment and connected electrically to produce power.
The more cells you have, the more power they can produce.
If you want to go completely off the grid, be warned that you will need a lot of modules (Translate: Lots of dollars).
However, you could start with a modest number of solar panels and increase those panels as your pocketbook allows.
For example, with a little more than $1,000 (2007 American currency value) you could install an 80 watt solar panel
system with four deep cycle batteries and a 400 watt inverter.
That's enough power to run a 95 watt flat screen television set, along with house lights for a small cabin, a 12-volt RV style water pump and a portable 7-inch DVD power for 3-4 hours per night.
This solar power can also be used to charge a laptop computer and cell phone.
And for backup power, you can build your own off the grid solar energy generator at a reasonable price to have on hand for emergencies.
Learn More About
Going Off the Grid
Learn how to make your own solar books with this helpful program.
It's not just for a great day at the beach, but the sun can be a great source of energy as well.
Learn about harnessing power from the sun.
Is it always breezy where you live? You can use all that air to save money.
Learn how harnessing the wind is becoming an increasingly viable source of electricity.
If you have a small stream nearby, you not only have a source of water, but you could also have a potential source of energy.
Learn more here.
Want to use that rain on days when it's dry? You can with a rain barrel.
Learn why a cistern is great source of back up water for emergency purposes.
Find out if solar power is right for you.
If you don't have water pumped into your house, you will need an alterative way to deal with waste.
Enter the Composting Toilet - How it works and why you should have one.
Learn how to make a solar-powered hot water heater with this helpful guide.
For the hard-core, off the gridder: The Methane Digester and How it Works.
Do you have a drilled well and still want to use it, even when you have no power?
Then learn more about a deep well hand pump.
Learn the importance of going off the grid.
If you live in the country now, or you are considering country life in the future, you will soon realize you don't always have a reliable source of power for your home.
That's why knowing a little bit about generators and owning one is so important.
Learn more.
So what separates the portable propane generator from other generators?
You'll find that a propane generator is less expensive to run than the gasoline version, saving you money.
Also propane is a much cleaner fuel that produces fewer toxic fumes, making it safer to use around the home.
Read more.
Using windmills may not be the easiest way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save you thousands of dollars.
Learn more.
If you live in a sunny area, solar panels could be a great way to get off the grid.
Learn more.
Wood burning cook stoves are the epitome of self reliance when it comes to heating your home and cooking food.
But be aware there is a learning curve to using this appliance from the past.
Learn more.
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