Solar Village Institute Web Story

Solar Energy - That's still around?

Yes - and it's more important than ever. As electrical power grids face the continued (and seemingly growing) threats of weather and the distinct possibilities of major computer failure, the need for a reliable energy source has never been more pronounced.

Enter solar, wind, and micro-hydro energy - off-grid energy.

This isn't the solar energy you may have read about years ago. This is the stuff of homemade power - of owning your own power source, of relying on your own supply.

Off-grid energy has come a long way in the past few years. Today, it is even possible to satisfy most of the power needs of an entire home without ever drawing a watt from the grid.

So... does it really work?
Sure. If you do it right, it works perfectly. The key is in that phrase - doing it right. Making the transition to homemade energy means learning more about it - how it works, what systems are available, how little or how much you can power with it. It's more than just an investment in your future energy needs; it's a meaningful step to self-sufficiency, away from the monthly bills and power outages and toward independence.
What is off-grid energy is good for right now?
  • Recreational vehicles
  • Appliances and lights
  • Remote homes (anywhere the power
       company would charge for bringing
       power lines to your home)
  • Water pumping
  • Freedom from the control of the power
        monopoly
  • Owning your home AND the power it needs!

OK, I'm curious.
How would I go about this?
Start small. And before you even consider going off-grid, consider the many ways you can lower your energy use without significantly affecting your way of life. The key concept here is efficiency. And, for almost every appliance and gadget in your home right now, there is a more efficient alternative. There are appliances and technologies on the market that dramatically reduce your energy consumption. For example, low-energy lighting - compact fluorescents - use 5W of power for every 20W that traditional incandescent bulbs use. (Just on the horizon are LED bulbs, which use only 1.2W and have a life expectancy of 45 years!) And it isn't just smaller items like light bulbs. Even refrigerators can be more efficient. The super-energy-efficient refrigerators now on the market use only 1/5 of the energy of a conventional refrigerator!
Of course, many of us rely on computers in the home now; these energy-hungry machines can really pump up a power bill. Well, not all computers; laptops use only a fraction of the power of a desktop system! If you're thinking of buying a computer, consider going portable. Here's something to remember: Anything that uses electricity and generates heat in the process (intentionally or not) is, in effect, wasting energy. Next step: Reducing or even getting rid of those "ghost loads". Basically, we're talking about anything that uses a "wall box" (that heavy contraption attached to the plug on some appliances and many computer peripherals) or remote controls. Do all this, and you can get your power bill - that $100-or-more bill you get every month - down to around $30. Sound good? Sure it does.

OK, so I'm saving money. Now what?
Now, you're ready to think about stepping toward renewable energy. Here again, start small: Consider powering your well, and maybe a few lights and a laptop computer, with solar cells. Or maybe you have an RV - it can be completely powered by solar cells. Solar is a totally outage-proof power source that requires very little maintenance. This is a good entry level for adding an off-grid component to your home's energy mix. Give it a try. Like the freedom it gives you? Like not having to pay a power company to operate those machines and appliances? Here's a second step: Pumping water. Solar can do that, too. Easily.

And if I want a totally off-grid home ...
You want your energy demand down around 2-10 kw a day. (The average home on conventional electricity uses 36 or more kw a day.) Sound impossible? Just by taking the energy-saving steps we talked about above, you're already well on your way to getting there, and getting the power company out of your life. Are you building a home? There are architectural designs that make the most of passive solar and other technologies (some of which predate electricity!) that can eliminate much of your power needs altogether. House plans are available starting at under $30. (Ask us about them!)

So ... what does it cost to go totally off-grid?
It costs a fair amount to set up. It costs a little to maintain over the long haul. And every month, you get a surprise in your mailbox:
Absolutely nothing.
As in no monthly power bill.
Once you're up and running, you're good to go.

The big picture
Renewable energy is no longer just an idea ahead of its time. The time is now. In fact, all over Europe, cities are turning to solar and wind energy to back up their conventional power grids. As demands on existing systems grow, the need for a totally reliable backup becomes paramount.

So how do I get started?
You call Solar Village Institute.
Why? Because we have nine years in the business of consulting, installing, and maintaining solar systems. Because we've set standards with our outstanding system design, safety, and work. Because, frankly, we're recognized as experts in our field - we even teach classes on renewable energy right here at the Institute. Not only will we set you up with everything you need to know to make the off-grid energy transition - we'll show you exactly what NOT to do. Power systems are complicated; if you don't know exactly what you're doing, you can make serious mistakes. And they can prove very costly indeed. Think of it this way: You wouldn't trust your conventional wiring to less than an expert; why settle for anything less when it comes to renewable? For the experience and the expertise ... Call Solar Village Institute today.


Solar Village Institute, Inc.
PO Box 14
Saxapahaw, NC 27340
Phone: 336-376-9530
Fax: 336-376-1809
Email: info@solarvillage.com
         LynCarter@solarvillage.com
         Chris@solarvillage.com


This page written by Mark Matherly.