living off grid (Fairbanks, Kenai, Kodiak: mattresses, home, cost)

[okieplumber]

curious, my home now has 300 amp service not sure what KW per hour needs are is it realistic to be able to supply adequate power to your home
being off grid and at what cost say for a typical 3 bed 2 bath,is wind power a possibility around fairbanks?

[richelles]

Originally Posted by okieplumber

curious, my home now has 300 amp service not sure what KW per hour needs are is it realistic to be able to supply adequate power to your home
being off grid and at what cost say for a typical 3 bed 2 bath,is wind power a possibility around fairbanks?

I've seen wind turbines on the Kenai Peninsular and on Kodiak Island so there is enough wind on the coast to drive a turbine. In both cases the wind powered turbines are near a coast line where wind is frequently much more predictable. In the lower 48 I've seen them in Indiana a long way from any coast line and in Texas also a long way from the coast. Otherwise the ones I know about are near the coast. I can't say anything about interior Alaska being I've never seen any in Alaska other than those I mention. Wind power is dependent on many factors and you need to do some research to find what the potential is for any given area. I've seen charts that give potential for solar power and wind power. I have two roll up solar panels which I used to charge a Xantax 12 volt battery which had a 110 volt receptacle, a pair of flouresent lights along with an air compressor. It could be charged from the solar panel, cigarette lighter in a vehicle or from a 110 volt charger. We used it for charging digital cameras, laptop computers, light in a remote location, and to pump up air mattresses. Not sure if this answers any questions but there was enough sunshine on the island off Kodiak to charge the single battery.

[okieplumber]

we have a lot off wind here in OKLA it takes at least 9 mph or so

[rwjoyak]

The Fairbanks area is very calm during the coldest part of the winter. Wind power wouldn't work as your only source and probably wouldn't even be a good primary source with secondary backup.

[RayinAK]

No wind power electricity around Fairbanks, although some people have been experimenting with windmills and such. It can be windy today, and then not windy for weeks and even months.

The local electric company is GVEA, and electricity is quite expensive lately. For example, three years ago the average winter monthly cost for electricity was around $100.00 (1,700 Sq. foot home with a 2-car garage). Right now it's around $200.00 for the same amount of electricity (it has doubled in three years).

[nwcountrygal]

Here in Hawaii I am told Solar does much more than wind. OK don't say Ya in Hawaii because the sun but only sun is until 6pm never longer. I am in the wetests areas also over 120 inches of rain a year. Longer sun in Alaska I would think would be longer recharge? Until winter. Every one over here hates the wind powered even though we have plenty of wind power.

Looking also into living off the grid in Hawaii -- I so do not want to chop wood again!!!!!!!!!!

[Marty Van Diest]

The easiest way to live off the grid is to forgo electricity as much as possible. No matter how you do it, living off the grid requires a life style change to lower your use of power by at least 1/2.

[gobrien]

GVEA: Wind in Healy and Delta Junction (http://www.gvea.com/energyprograms/renewablepotential.php - broken link)

There are some wind farms close to Fairbanks.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by gobrien

GVEA: Wind in Healy and Delta Junction (http://www.gvea.com/energyprograms/renewablepotential.php - broken link)

There are some wind farms close to Fairbanks.

It's quite windy around Delta Junction, but not in Fairbanks. The same can be said for Cantwell, and Healy (both close to mountain ranges). The wind is fierce at both places, with wind gusts around 50MPH sometimes.

[okieplumber]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

No wind power electricity around Fairbanks, although some people have been experimenting with windmills and such. It can be windy today, and then not windy for weeks and even months.

The local electric company is GVEA, and electricity is quite expensive lately. For example, three years ago the average winter monthly cost for electricity was around $100.00 (1,700 Sq. foot home with a 2-car garage). Right now it's around $200.00 for the same amount of electricity (it has doubled in three years).

that does sound high here we have 3200 sft with 2 car garage( not heated or cooled aver. electric 250.00 except for the summer months

trying to live on half of half our usage would be a challenge.

ok so wind is out no sun in winter how do you do it ?