Are you off the Grid?

[Cacinok]

Hayden,

I do understand what you are saying, but hopefully by the time we are in a postion to build our dream house costs will not be so prohibitive. Also, I don't believe for my area purely solar is the answer, probably not for any area. For my area central OK, wind turbines would produce almost double the power output for less than half of the cost of solar. Solar for 315 kWH/ month set up $15k, whereas Wind 500 kWH/ month at $7k. Also, I think using solar to heat water to be used for in floor heating would lower costs.

I appreciate the input. I'm open to further ideas, links etc. I'm trying to expand my reality.

Thanks again

Clint.

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

<font color="blue"> Don't hold your breath on my project - I expect it's a 2-3 year undertaking </font>

Hayden your way ahead of me. I still have a windmill tower that I put up 8 years ago that has no windmill. A dam that leaks and has no penstock. Fortunately, living in the Seattle area I haven't made an investment in solar. I am continuiously on the lookout for a reasonable and well built Pelton runner. If I run across anything I will let you know. I can't see paying big bucks for plastic.

 

[hayden]

I see I'm in good company. Time to stop and have another beer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[hayden]

I agree the break-even pricing for solar is getting closer every day. I like the wind and solar heating too - all good ideas. That's the same reason I'm eyeing hydro - something small running 24hrs a day can product a lot of power.

Again, I'm a big fan of alternate energy so don't let me discourage you.

 

[Cacinok]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Again, I'm a big fan of alternate energy so don't let me discourage you )</font>

Hayden, not a problem. I did not start the thread to hear how rosy my idea sounded. I was on a quest for more information and that is what I got.

All you've made me do is think, Hmmm, how can I do this another way or adapt this way. Unfortunately school absorbs most of my time and energy and what is left is put into working and trying to keep up with our little plot of land. TBN/CBN is my creative outlet to learn alternative ways of doing things and to expand my reality. My wife will only let me finish this degree I'm working on, otherwise I think engineering school would be interesting (except for all of the math /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) ).

In short, I feel challenged not discouraged.

Thanks again


Clint.

 

[hayden]

Keep the grears turning and the books open. It's bright people like you who will figure out how to break the rules and make alternative energy economical.