Off-grid power (long)

Colin Blackburn · 2005-02-02T17:45:17+00:00

I response to my other threads here's an outline of our off-grid power system.A couple of years ago now I asked some questions here about the costs of running diesel generators for domestic power. Some of the numbers I got back almost put me off buying the house, but I, with my partner, did buy the place.The power set-up as we bought it comprised three diesel generators, all Listers of different power outputs, 1.75kVA, 3.5kVA and 11kVA. This system had evolved over the years.Historical side note: We have recently made contact with the, now, 94 year old woman who lived in the house from the 30s through to the 70s. She and her husband put in the two lower powered Listers. She, in fact, poured the concrete floors we still have today. Perhaps I should get her back to do the tower foundations!The house could run directly from any of the generators, the choice of generator was based on what you wanted to do. The lowest was fine for TV etc., the next for a washing machine, the largest was put in by later owners to run a blacksmith's forge.The generators were used only when needed, evenings, weekends. Thus we don't use a video, say, and we have a gas (lpg) fridge---came with the house.In addition to the diesel system the previous owners added a couple on small wind turbines (one 50W, one 400W) on the gables of an outbuilding., and a couple of small battery banks with a 600W inverter. This system allowed for lights being used in the middle of the night but not much more.The whole system is very ad hoc with lots of switches being used depending on what you need to use. So, we decided last year to look at a more modern system or going on the grid.Going on the grid would cost around 20K. We quickly realised we could spend a lot less than that and have a system based on solar and wind power. We then had to decide whether to go the DIY route or get a supplier fitted system. Luckily we have a company that does renewable systems just a few miles away, which makes for good...