Thousands of households are supplying all their electricity using Renewable
Energy sources today.
Home Power magazine leads the way in this field. Back issues are available on
DVD.
Personally, I run my entire household now using solar panels. I have 1300
watts of solar and two KISS wind generators (that I rarely use these days, in
fact they are down for repairs at this time). Adding four 130 watt panels to
the seven 120 watt panels I already had turned the corner.
It is a truism that it is easier (and cheaper) to save a watt than to make a
watt. To this end one must reduce electrical requirements. For example, both
our five cubic foot (Sundanzer) freezer and physically identical refrigerator
each use 25 watts (2 Amps at 12.5 Volts) when running. We have very few
incandescent bulbs aboard. Our big energy hog is our 32" TV and satellite
antenna.
Very occasionally we do use our genset to top up when we have several cloudy
days in a row. Even on cloudy days the PV array still makes significant power,
but also on those days we are usually indoors in front of our computers or
watching the TV.
Although we make full use of our microwave and toaster oven we do use propane
for the galley range and the water heater.
And we don't use the air conditioning, a load that accounts for about half of
the power usage when used ashore.
Although many electrical loads are large and unavoidable, such as I imagine
Lew's business is, it is completely possible to live off the grid comfortably.
The key is that the dwelling must be designed from the ground up for a low
footprint lifestyle.
And as others have noted, as the price of fossil fuel rises, the alternatives
become more economical.
Norm
S/V Bandersnatch
Lying Gloucester MA
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