solar panels and chicken palace
Moving off grid is different for everyone. Knowing if it is right for you and your current situation is important. How will you determine what your power needs will be? What are the best energy sources available for your move? There are many questions to consider, but the more quickly you get answers, the faster you will make progress towards your new goal.
“moving off grid”
First, lets define what is meant by “moving off grid”. It can mean several things to different people. To some it is not a physical move but a power source change from the the electric company to their own. Others, it will include the above, but also mean a physical move to somewhere less crowded, and off grid power gets you there. Finally, still others may think of it as going off the Internet or completely underground (i.e. deep under cover, new identity). We definitely don’t cover the third meaning here!
Unless your budget permits you to hire out all the necessary professionals to do the design, the work, and everything else, you will need the right personality to take on the challenges. A positive can-do person with little or no experience in the various skill sets, can learn and educate themselves. Learning what you do know, and having the wisdom to get help and advise when needed is probably the most important quality. A sense of adventure in both you and your spouse is a real plus.
A genverter fits in all plans
Wherever you choose to locate your new home, there are many sources of possible home power. There are the obvious things like solar power and wind power. If you have access to running water, there may even be micro-hydro power options. These options may not be in your initial budget, however some kind of genverter system is a must. The generator-inverter-battery system will provide on-demand power for all the tools and appliances needed on your new site.
The beauty of starting with a genverter system, is that you can systematically add more charging sources as you have more capital to invest. The generator part of the system can be gas (most common) or propane, diesel, or even bio diesel. You can start with one fuel source and convert to another. For example, get a gas generator, and convert it to propane, or possibly methane(bio gas). The genverter provides a solid base to build your off grid power system on.
What it takes
stuck in mud
So the right person who is willing to learn and has a sense of adventure is well suited for the challenges of moving to a remote off grid home. Learning more about the power and creating a power budget will help one get a feel for the size of their power needs. Finally, regardless of the final charging source, it makes sense to build your system on the solid base of a genverter system.
Have you considered moving off grid? Do you think you can learn and adapt? Tell us about it below in the comments!
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Excellent plan Marshall! While visiting a local museum last week it struck me just how electrified out homes have become compared to the sixties and perhaps even the early seventies.
I’m not old enough for social security or old age pension but the museum was full of things I remember using and even buying new back as a teenager. All the older kitchen aids were hand tools not powered by electricity. As part of the preparations for going off grid People could begin to look for non electric replacements for so many things around the house. Things like can openers whisks to beat cream into whipped cream, and chopping knives instead of Cuisinart food processors. Yes its true I am an advocate of some electric appliances because they use so little compared to the regular electric devices but in many cases its just as fast to use a hand tool as it is getting the electric one out. A good sharp knife can carve a roast as well as an electric carving knife for example. There are kits that sharpen even a serrated knife as good as factory new.