solar / wind power (appliances, new home, transfer)

[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

[starwalker]

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

Not done it in ME but did in eastern WA for about 10 yrs... we had several second hand solar panels, several deep-cycle batteries and eventually a small generator that we used to run the washing machine (wringer type) once a week... also charged batteries at the same time when it was cloudy for a spell in the winter.

We got to where we would do "special" things -- like run the electric waffle iron -- on washing day!

We had some 12v lights, few 12v appliances (this was in the mid-80s to mid-90s) and had backup propane lights in the great room (kit/din/living) for winter nights.

[Nor'Eastah]

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 ????....jim

I have been researching alternate power for a little while now. This is some of what I've learned. First, you set up a 'system' consisting of a deep-cycle battery bank (6-8 if you can get 'em), a charge controller so that you don't ruin your batteries by over-charging them (primary cause of battery "death"), a properly-sized inverter, and if you are also connected to the grid, a transfer switch. You don't want to electrocute the pole workers in a power outage - not nice!

Next, you decide how you are going to power the 'system', and you can use multiple power sources. Solar panels are just one way, and IMHO, not really cost-effective in Maine winters. Excellent in the southwest, though! I think the best use for solar power in Maine is for passive solar heat, if your home is oriented toward the south and you have sufficient glazing and thermal mass. A small panel is also great for recharging small batteries for flashlights and such. This can be important! But right now the price of solar panels is still too high, and the payback time too long, for Maine.

Wind power is a wildcard. It all depends on your location in regard to prevailing winds. You may need to put a turbine up on an awfully high tower, and risk neighbor complaints, not to mention that queasy feeling in your stomach when you climb up to service the thing. Not for sissies! And you likely will need more than one wind turbine, which can get pricey, as well as doubling/tripling those queasy feelings!

As starwalker mentioned, a generator (or two) can do wonderful things! Why two? In case one quits out on you at a time (blizzard, anyone?) when you won't be in any mood to go out and fix it. Two generators of 6 to 8 kw each are worth more than one at 15kw. Either can power your home or charge your battery bank. I expect some disagreement on this, but when they're both working, it's a beautiful thing. When one gets persnickety, use the other!

Running one of the generators for an hour or so each morning will charge up your battery bank come rain or shine, and power other stuff for you while doing it. Then you can use power quietly all day and evening till the next morning. NMLM even knows how to quiet the generator noise. This system works! You can use it either on or off-grid. When the prices of the "green" power comes down (and the efficiency goes up) you will be all ready to take advantage. Meanwhile you will have a system that will keep you powered up in Maine, in winter, in a blizzard!

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

As starwalker mentioned, a generator (or two) can do wonderful things! Why two? In case one quits out on you at a time (blizzard, anyone?) when you won't be in any mood to go out and fix it. Two generators of 6 to 8 kw each are worth more than one at 15kw. Either can power your home or charge your battery bank. I expect some disagreement on this, but when they're both working, it's a beautiful thing. When one gets persnickety, use the other!

One to use and one to fix makes sense to me! I am a believer in redundancy, in general, but especially in essential equipment. My redundant systems are not always identical to the first string (such as a propane camp stove, grill cylinders and conversion hose as backup to my kitchen range) but they are there and get checked out regularly.

With little stuff that is easily misplaced I long ago went to a double redundancy system: one to use, one to loose and one to use when both of the first two go missing! LOL (pressure canner weights come to mind...)

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by starwalker

One to use and one to fix makes sense to me! I am a believer in redundancy, in general, but especially in essential equipment. My redundant systems are not always identical to the first string (such as a propane camp stove, grill cylinders and conversion hose as backup to my kitchen range) but they are there and get checked out regularly.

With little stuff that is easily misplaced I long ago went to a double redundancy system: one to use, one to loose and one to use when both of the first two go missing! LOL (pressure canner weights come to mind...)

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!

[Shuffler]

Is there a good online resource that covers the basics of 'how' to retrofit a house to run on a battery bank and/or generator? I like the idea of having a generator to keep a bank of batteries topped off as the primary source for electricity. Seems like the best option until the alternatives become more widely accepted, affordable, and reliable.

Sounds like solar is only 'partially' viable for Maine, and wind power is spotty and could draw the ire of one's neighbors.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

Is there a good online resource that covers the basics of 'how' to retrofit a house to run on a battery bank and/or generator? I like the idea of having a generator to keep a bank of batteries topped off as the primary source for electricity. Seems like the best option until the alternatives become more widely accepted, affordable, and reliable.

Sounds like solar is only 'partially' viable for Maine, and wind power is spotty and could draw the ire of one's neighbors.

You can run an alternative power system right through your existing circuit breaker panel, with the addition of a transfer switch. What you really need to do this correctly is a good electrician, not an on-line article. Always be respectful of electricity!

[Shuffler]

oh heck yeah, I'd leave it to the pros...I just want to read up on the concept so I know what to look for, what to expect, etc.

[jim65970]

hello.....just do a search on the web.....i have been investigating powering a small cabin with a battery bank & solar/wind..possibly hydro power....there is a ton of good interesting reading out there.....being dummy with electricity here i have really gained knowledge in reading about batteries, components & electricity in this context over the web
good luck
jim

[Acadianlion]

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 are planning a new home to begin building either this fall or next spring. Our new home is planned to be entirely off grid. We will use a solar array to charge a battery bank, and recently I have begun researching a wind turbine because of the our location near the ocean. We will also want to have a solar heating system that will generate and store hot water for heating the slab. The engineer we have been discussing this says that we can provide 75% or so of our heat in this manner. Back up will be wood undoubtedly.

For backup we will most likely have a generator of some sort. Right now I own one 8000 watt (peak) gasoline generator, but since we will have propane on the property we eventually will likely use a propane generator.

Solar generation of electricity is certainly viable here in Maine all year round, and especially in the cold months. There is an excellent site that details the development and operation of a completely solar house in Maine. Look at Maine Solar House. Lots of information there. There are also numerous small businesses in Maine that develop, install and maintain active and passive solar alternative energy systems. The best ones have been around for quite some time, although the number of these companies is growing rapidly as more interested and qualified people come in to Maine.