Producing your own power

The first step to designing a renewable energy system is to conduct a Load Evaluation to determine what appliances you will be using, for how long each day and week, and how much energy they will use. The Load Evaluation is then used to determine the size of the solar array, wind turbine or hydro turbine, battery bank, and inverter to meet your needs.

The most cost effective method of producing renewable energy is with a micro-hydro generator. If you are fortunate enough to have a good stream, a micro-hydro system can produce power for $.03 to $.05 per kilowatt hour (kWh.)

Even a small system can power a home, because it produces power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! New intake screens are available to eliminate intake clogging and concerns about impacting aquatic species. Micro-hydro systems are "non-consumptive" - removing water only for a short distance.

They do not alter the temperature, oxygen content, pH or other characteristics of the water. We can conduct a site assessment to determine what type and size of micro-hydro system will meet your needs.

Wind power is the next most cost effective renewable energy source ($.12 to $.25 per kWh.) You should have an average annual wind speed of 7 mph or greater, and the wind system tower should be high enough so the bottom of the turbine blades are 30 feet above any obstacle within 500 feet.

If "flagging" is present (conifer tree branches permanently bent by the wind) then your site has adequate wind for a wind turbine. If flagging is not present then an inexpensive anemometer is recommended to determine the wind resource at your site before investing in a wind turbine.

Tilt up towers make erecting and servicing a wind turbine much

easier. Wind turbines are very quiet, and usually cannot be heard above the background sound of the wind in the trees, etc. We can provide a site assessment and install a wind turbine to meet your needs.

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, to produce electricity from the sun, are the most costly form of renewable energy ($.25 - $.35 per kWh.) For systems not connected to the electric grid, fixed arrays are recommended for best winter power production at least cost.

Tracker mounted arrays, that follow the sun throughout the day, are slightly more expensive but can increase annual array output by 25% to 40%. Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules that "peel and stick" to flat pan metal roofing allow aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive arrays. We can provide a site assessment and install an appropriate PV system to meet your needs.

Often a combination of micro-hydro, wind, and/or PV will provide the most cost effective and reliable power. We design systems to fit your site and your needs.

Backup power: Off grid homes should have a backup generator to provide power during the infrequent times when the RE system cannot meet your needs. The generator can be automatically controlled by the RE system components, providing additional power only when needed. A low speed (1,800 rpm) propane fueled generator, is recommended.

Generator power costs approximately $1.00/kWh, when fuel and maintenance are consisdered. Power quality: RE systems produce standard alternating current (AC) power, either 120 or 240 volt, just like a utility would provide for a grid connected home.

The quality of the power (voltage and frequency) is often better than many utilities provide, particularly if you’re at the end of a utility power

line. Your home can be wired just like a grid connected home, which allows easy connection to the grid later if that becomes economically feasible.

If you have further questions about off grid living, please contact us.