Off The Grid

In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquakes and aftershocks, US based solar manufacturer Sol Inc is sending solar-powered equipment for water, lighting, and communications needs.
Some of the items already sent include:

• 15 solar power streetlights to be used as emergency lighting for hospitals that without power
• solar panels to power 10 water pumping stations for Water Missions International  (these 10 stations will provide clean water for up to 175,000 people

If you would like to help, Sol has set up a link on it’s company site to allow you to purchase additional supplies for the relief efforts.

Author Note:  We are not personally involved with this company nor do we act as an affiliate on their behalf, in fact we are affiliates for their competitors, however we believe that at times like this we should all support the efforts of others who are working to help those in need.  We do not however have any control or responsibility for these actions and can not their personally guarantee their reliability.

Technorati Tags: Haitiearthquake, reliefefforts, solarpower

I need actual home designs that are affordable between 800 to 1500 sq.ft. I’m interested in home designs that are entirely off grid using solar power and/or wind energy. I might want to use propane as a backup energy source. I’ve had trouble finding designs that you can buy online.

http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fabzonehome.htm

prefab modernist homes. its a listing of the various types available

most of these are ultra modern design, takes advantage of the newest advancements in green living and efficiency, many are LEED certified. about 100-200k per house. The smaller ones are between 50-150k.

most of these are made to custom at the factory and shipped to the site. They are efficient enough for off the grid living.

you can buy a shed or build a shed nearby that houses the batteries for electric power and a rack nearby for a dozen 150w PV panels.

SOme homes come with the option of water recycling systems.

Off Grid power options?

If so, what type of alternate power system(s) are you using?

Solar? —(I think very expensive and in this part of the country, not enough sun.)

Hydro-electric? —(may be a viable choice if I have enough current running through my stream and or enough head from a waterfall)

Wind? — (If It is installed high enough and does not obscure.)

Diesel Generator—(may be ok if underground, low speed, water cooled)

We are planning to build a log home in up-state Pa. as a second home for now, but our primary residence in a few years.

Thanks in advance for your answers!
Newt

whatever you use to charge batteries (which is what powers your inverters that change low voltage to 110 volt) make sure you use "marine" batteries, they are different than "car batteries" because they hold a steady charge before a dropoff instead of slowly losing voltage like car bats.("dropoff rate")