The grid stops almost exactly 3km down the road from our driveway entrance. The last hydro pole is at the house of our nearest full-time neighbour. We didn't plan to live off-grid when we started looking for our retirement property. We didn't even plan to be this far away from our previous home. We were having no luck in our search within the north-facing arc of territory we felt was our target. This property showed up on line, and we decided to 'just go and have a look'. The 'looking' was done at the end of January 2017, and the offer was made the day after being here. Sometimes you just know!
Neither of us had any experience with solar systems, but we've both lived for a short period of our lives 'off grid', or, as it was known then, using coal oil lamps for light, wood stoves for heat and cooking, and manually pumping and carrying water from a well. The folks here were very good at showing us the ropes, and Hubby, being a very technically minded guy, caught on to the system and the equipment that needs to be monitored and maintained, very quickly. I'm tagging along behind him and gradually learning as well.
We have always been careful with our use of energy, so things have not really changed for us in that department at all. In summer, with long days, the sun high in the sky, energy is abundant. As the days shorten, and there are more inclement days in a row without sunshine, one has to be much more aware of energy usage. We adjust the panels every one to two months to match the angle of the sun. Every month except June, July and August, we do an equalization of the batteries. It involves adjusting settings on the inverter-charger to allow a higher voltage to enter for a set period of time to stir up and invigorate the batteries. We also try to be mindful of the percentage of charge in the batteries and don't let it drop below 85%. Even though they are deep cycle batteries, they will last longer if one keeps them charged at the upper range of capacity.
The larger array of 2 sets of solar panels
We knew when we purchased this property, that the existing batteries were on their final legs, so around Christmas of 2018, we ordered a new set and Hubby installed them. What an immediate difference we noticed! From having to use the generator every couple of days that fall, we went to hardly having to use it at all! The batteries that were here were 15 years old, and had been cared for. We hope to get as much life out of our new ones.
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| New batteries ready for installation |
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| Cleaning and polishing the connections |
The back up generator is diesel-powered, with a remote starter, so one can start it from warmth and comfort. In really cold weather, the glow plugs in the cylinders aren't sufficient to warm the engine enough to start the generator, so one has to go out and plug in the block heater. We learn to plan ahead, and keep an eye on energy levels. There is an in-house monitor, as well as the one on the inverter-charger in the Battery House.
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| The Generator |
We have all the comforts of modern conveniences that we wish to have. Two freezers, a full size fridge, washer and dryer. The dryer is propane fired, but very rarely gets used. We've contemplated taking it out to create more space. The 'on demand' propane water heater is electrically controlled. The kitchen has a propane stove, but we have a toaster oven and other electric appliances. You learn what draws the most power and use it judicially in the winter. Hubby uses all his shop equipment, saws, a planer, air compressor.... Being off-grid, you don't rely on others for your energy supply. Many, many times, the hydro is out in this area, due to lines traveling through thick bush, but we have never been out of electricity.
Wow, I'm impressed! It all sounds so complicated to me. I don't know if I could adjust even though it's something I've always wanted to do. I think it's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very interesting read. It sounds like you certainly aren't wanting for anything. Do you heat with wood or propane? -Jenn
ReplyDeleteHi Martha: Not complicated really. The adjustment was from relying on others, to relying on ourselves for power. The inverter/charger is computerized and learnable. We go with the flow of the seasons.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn, Thank you for stopping by! We have enough power that we could even have an air conditioner if we wanted, and may consider it if these summers of brutal heat continue! We choose not to have a microwave. We heat with wood, but have a back-up propane wall-furnace that we have never used. The Battery House has one that we light, late in the fall when really cold weather arrives, as the batteries need to be above freezing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a lot of people understand, how much goes into, living 'off the grid.' -smile- This was very informative.
ReplyDeleteAnd one gets info, from some of those tv shows, about such.
Being on the grid here was prohibitively expensive, so solar was the best way to go, as it is 3Km to the end of the power grid from here. I'd also hate to have them mess up our 'green tunnel' of a road to install it!
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