subject: Off the Grid Electricity At Home [print this page] Off the Grid Electricity At Home Off the Grid Electricity At Home
Not so long ago, it was only a few scientists who experimented with off the grid electricity at home. But technology and research has come a long way since then, and it is now a feasible and commercially available solution. Actually, there are many solutions, because the available options range from wind turbines to solar panels, hydro-electric, biogas and food waste systems. I also learned to build my own DIY electricity system cheaply using a guide that I will share more about with you.
Some countries have implemented solutions with spectacular success, and they pay citizens to send power back to the grid. Others provide encouragement in the form of subsidies and tax rebates on purchase and installation costs. The main benefit, of course, is that it helps reduce utility bills.
But assume, for a minute, that this isn't about the grid capacity or saving money. Let's simply focus on stand-alone systems that can simply be used to generate enough renewable energy at home. The most popular option for this would be either a solar panel or a wind turbine.
Solar panels are almost common-place now, and the concept is simple too - each panel is a collection of solar cells capable of converting sunlight into electricity. At the very least, a single panel can easily generate enough power for heating water for a home. If more number of efficient panels can be mounted on the roof, they can fulfill 100% of home energy requirements.
Wind turbines are a lot more powerful, but need more space and at least a minimum wind speed (around 9 to 10.2 mph) to be of any use. It works best in an open setting, like a farm or a large mansion. The key issue is to have grounds around the property large enough for there to be enough space between a neighbor's property and the turbine.
Depending on the type of property, budget and power needs, a home-owner can buy either one of these systems and have it installed by the seller. Another way is to get a DIY kit and put it together, which is a little bit harder but cheaper. Either way, there will be zoning restrictions and permits that will need looking into.
In addition to these two choices, there are a few other systems that are also commercially available, including turbines powered by bio-gas, food waste or micro-hydro power. The sum of it is that generating off the grid electricity is no longer just a lifestyle choice, but an essential system that will soon come pre-installed in every new home. It's a no-brainer, because it saves both the planet and money. I have personally managed to build my own home DIY electricity system simply following a DIY guide online.
