solar / wind power (snow, bathroom, great)

[Maineah]

Don't forget water power. If you live near any kind of running water there are small turbines available built in Ireland that look like the lower unit of an outboard motor. These things take little head, pressure wize, to put out their 12 volts and will keep a battery bank charged fairly well.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by jim65970

hello....anyone have experience on solar and/or wind power for a small cabin in mid maine....any luck with solar in winter ????....i want to install a system.....dont need much....fridge & stove are gas....probably use 12 volts for lighting and an inverter for t.v.,radio & tool battery chargers....

all comments are welcomed
thanks for your time
jim

We have started doing some "electric camping" over the past few years. I use one deep cycle 12 volt battery, a motorcycle battery, a small 2000 watt Honda super quiet generator, and a couple of inexpensive 800 and 400 watt inverters.
I charge the batteries in the morning while cooking breakfast. The battery will run all of the lights we need at night or small appliances. We use the CFL lights which only draw 23 watts for 60 watts of light. We use led Christmas lights for ambient lights around the tents and in the screen house. A whole string only draws about 5 watts. It's real nice. I could see how easy it would be to do this in a house. Replacing the output of the generator with wind, solar, water turbine or a magnetic motor would get you off the grid in a hurry. It isn't as easy as flipping a switch but not paying for electricity would be worth the work.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

You had me laughing, star! We have never lost power down here. But just for lighting, we have Coleman lanterns, kero lamps, LED lights (kept charged), flashlights and high-beam spotlights of all stripes, and last but not least, candles! Tons and tons of candles! Tons and tons of far-dated batteries! My DW gives up; the house and garage are full.

I take her out to dinner now and then for putting up with me!

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. the problem is that most folks don't do what is necessary to keep the spares in decent order.
You are a good fella.

[racer1974]

Are there any companies on the east coast that do this? Alternative power that is? Please post any links to web sites. I've tried to google for companies and haven't been able to find any. Thanks.

Alex

[jim65970]

Originally Posted by racer1974

Are there any companies on the east coast that do this? Alternative power that is? Please post any links to web sites. I've tried to google for companies and haven't been able to find any. Thanks.

Alex

hello alex....im not sure where companies are located but there are tons of info about solar,wind & hydro on line...i have been doing seraches for a month now on all 3.....got some books as well.....after a while of searching all the info becomes more or less the same stuff.....then you know you read it all.....just takes time.....
good luck
jim

[7th generation]

Originally Posted by racer1974

Are there any companies on the east coast that do this? Alternative power that is? Please post any links to web sites. I've tried to google for companies and haven't been able to find any. Thanks.

Alex

Maine & Bahamas Solar Design, Installation, Sales, Photovoltaics, Alternative Electric Power Systems - Solar, Wind, Back-up
Welcome to Solar Market: Solar Photovoltaic Panels, and Solar Energy Information, Solar Panels, Solar Power Panels, Solar Heating Panels, Photovoltaic Panels
Solar Energy Businesses in Maine
Maine Solar Energy Association

[Shuffler]

This is pretty interesting....but I wonder how much $$$ for a big enough array to make it worthwhile? In other words, if you only have a small <2000 sq ft house, is there enough roof area to justify it?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

An 8 square foot panel will peak out at 75 watts at 12 volts on a clear day. That's about 6 amps. If you are using an inverter to make 120 volts AC that's 1.6 amps getting to your appliance assuming 100% efficiency through your inverter. No inverter gets that much. A lot is wasted as heat which is why they have cooling fans.

An 8 square foot panel will cost you about $350 if it's a good brand like Seimens. That's for one amp at 120 volts. Need 100 amps? That will be $35,000. That is only good on a clear day with the cell pointed at the sun. In winter we have about 8 hours a day and lots of clouds.

I like solar. It peaks up batteries for backup devices like small radios, TVs and compact florescent bulbs.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

An 8 square foot panel will peak out at 75 watts at 12 volts on a clear day. That's about 6 amps. If you are using an inverter to make 120 volts AC that's 1.6 amps getting to your appliance assuming 100% efficiency through your inverter. No inverter gets that much. A lot is wasted as heat which is why they have cooling fans.

An 8 square foot panel will cost you about $350 if it's a good brand like Seimens. That's for one amp at 120 volts. Need 100 amps? That will be $35,000. That is only good on a clear day with the cell pointed at the sun. In winter we have about 8 hours a day and lots of clouds.

I like solar. It peaks up batteries for backup devices like small radios, TVs and compact florescent bulbs.

I like solar too ...through the Veluxe window in the bathroom.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Got one. Wifey can sit in the whirlpool tub with some candles going and look up at the stars.