Wind & Solar (Bangor, Lincoln: new house, refrigerator, heat pump)

[MadJack]

Since I can't find the thread, I thought I'd bring this up again. I'm looking for information (not advertising) on wind & solar energy here in Maine.

We are in the process of building a new house on a tight budget.... basically out of pocket.
We cut our own wood/logs of this land and had it milled by a local sawyer, and we now have the shell up and almost roofed.



We are planning to heat with wood and I have an engineer/fabricator friend who is playing with the idea of a steam turbine (off the boiler) to power a small generator.
I have the area to put up one or more small (1000 watt) wind turbines and would like to know more about solar panels on the roof.
What I am looking for is recommended numbers...
What voltage system and should I start with finding the battery (ies)
Inverter, 2500 or 4000 watt? Can I use an RV inverter?
Which charge controller and are these voltage specific or switchable?


The one thing I want to make clear is we are not wealthy. If that were the case I would simply call CMP and pay them the $14K to $16K they want to run wire down eight poles that are already in place for phone service!

We have lived off-grid in Alaska using only a generator and a couple 12 volt deep cycle batteries so we understand about managing power. Our lighting will be mostly LED's but we will be needing our fridge and freezer as well as occasional use of a gas dryer. (110v)

Signed: Going green out of necessity!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Welcome Mad Jack.

You can get a gas refrigerator and gas freezer. I hope that foundation and slab have styrofoam insulation; or is that spray foam?.

To be efficient your wind turbines must be at least 40 feet higher than any surrounding trees and your site should be on a hilltop.

I just returned from a seminar in Virginia on this very subject. Xantrex makes the best inverters. Outback makes the best charge controllers. For efficiency it would be better to go with a 24 volt system using 12 volt batteries. The higher the voltage, the smaller the wire. Copper is very expensive today. Here is the best site I have found for for solar. (No ads.)

Alpha: Alternative Energy

This could take you a week to study.

[msina]

Wow , nice job doing it yourself! Exellant link NMLM. Thanks.

[Nor'Eastah]

Awesome job! Looks like you'll have plenty of room there! Congratulations on getting 'closed in' before fall...really enjoyed the pictures! Keep us posted, would love to see and read more about how you did this!

[dramamama6685]

Nicely, done. Your house looks great. Good luck on getting everything inplace before the cold weather

[AliceT]

I am in a similar financial position. Am slowly buying solar panels for use in Maine. At this point, not sure if Maine will ever be a reality, but am keeping the dream alive by continuing my perseverance buying alternate means to cook, refrigerate, heat, & power the place there. Solar panels are being purchased individually as funds allow so it's not one big expense in one lump sum. A generator will also be in the picture and has yet to be purchased. Keep your ear to ground and let people know what your goals are. Only then can folks keep their eyes and ears open for you. It's slow but it works. I found the most helpful information from a bank teller in a small bank in Lincoln. She and her husband live year round off-grid.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I bought a Honda 2000i generator in October of 2006. It is very quiet and goes 13 hours on a gallon of gas. That's a highly efficient generator and it's super quiet. It has terminals to charge batteries too.

[MadJack]

Land Man, that IS spray foam! It was cheaper (and less time) than trying to patch all the small holes, then tar, then attempt to attach blue foam with only 1/3 the insulating value!
The bottom of the footing will be (soon) 52" below grade, with oversized /depth footings under the door and walk-out (back of house). The plan is to eventually have a glass room added on to the front with dark tile floor for passive solar thermal convection, like an unpowered heat pump. (covered by a removable awning in summer)

This does sit slightly above the surrounding terrain and I'll be clearing the taller trees and leaving the lower 'brush' to funnel the available wind as far out as 300 to 600 feet.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

By the way, MadJack; You can have your own electrician run your power either on your poles or underground. You would own the wires. The only catch is that your drop box or meter would be on the last pole at the street. Nobody else can connect to your line.

[MadJack]

The problem with that is only a utility conglomerate (CMP/Bangor Hydro) can install wires on the road. (State highway)
Not to mention after spending all that cash to get wires run in, then have to pay the "double" bill for electricity AND delivery every month.

Thanks though!