I'm thinking of buying a house in the middle of like 50 acres of forest that isn't hooked up to the main electricity grid. If I put solar panels on the roof and a windmill outside, do you think that would be enough to have electricity all the time? I could probably get by with a day here and there without power, but I don't know how dependable a windmill really is. I don't really care about the initial cost because it's more eco-friendly and might save money in the long run. And this would be in central Pennsylvania, which is pretty windy.
2007-04-02 00:25:15 · 6 answers · asked by Moral Orel 6 in Environment
You need to consult an engineer who can analyze your particular site.
Most people in your situation use solar, with batteries for times when the solar won't do it. The batteries last a long time in this application, and can be recycled.
2007-04-02 03:05:17 · answer #1 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The solar power has other problems as to have a good amount of power it takes many units and they cover many sq. ft. In Ecuador we put a repeater high on the edge of the mountains . We had a large amount of solar panels ,a complete professional system with back up batteries regulators etc. In about 3 months we had a wind storm and blew the solar panels all over the jungle. So make sure u tie them down well .
2007-04-02 04:24:56 · answer #2 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How come. You want to build your house in the middle of forest, so you do not get enough sun light for your solar panels, hence this option is ruled out.
Second option is wind, forest trees will going to obstruct the speed of wind, hence your wind mill do not work, so this is also out.
Only option is, A Gen set operated by Bio fuels, As you said the Forest is about 50 acres, collect all foliage dropped, ferment it in a tank , methane gas will be formed, which is a combustant, pipe it to, run your Genset, it runs by combustion, using methane gas.
It is eco friendly, left over at the fermentation tank, is an excellent fertilizer. Use it or sell it.
2007-04-02 00:47:15 · answer #3 · answered by manjunath_empeetech 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold on! Before you go spending and possibly wasting a bunch of money, have you bothered to do a wind evaluation to determine if its feasible at the site? What voltage system do you plan to install? Will it have an expensive battery backup system? What about a gas or diesel generator? Are you going to burn wood, its not good for the environment. So you think you can get by a day or two without power, in the middle of winter? You better rethink your decision Thoreau, or you'll be found frozen stiff in your little cabin in the woods!
2007-04-02 00:36:55 · answer #4 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think wind power is cheaper than solar panels in such an area. And if you will really be off grid you need lots of batteries, and batteries are not exactly eco-friendly.
2007-04-02 02:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the house is in a forest, you are not likely to get much sun light for your solar panels. Also, how much wind are you going to get among all those trees?
2007-04-02 05:07:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋