Power Generation Alternatives...
- Thread starter Victus
- Start date
cowell
Well-Known Member
I think solar is pretty expensive to set up. I looked into the DIY kits, and even those are pretty dear.. (a good starting point -as I don't know how much you've already researched- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_P9XDKQP34 )
but any youtube vid on solar, or wind, or whatever power generation ( I think there's a guy who heats his house water and shower with heat from a compost pile- which depending on how into you get could power some sort of home made steam turbine generator...)
Good luck, hope that helps.
but any youtube vid on solar, or wind, or whatever power generation ( I think there's a guy who heats his house water and shower with heat from a compost pile- which depending on how into you get could power some sort of home made steam turbine generator...)
Good luck, hope that helps.
tyke1973
Well-Known Member
A generator can be a great way of by passing the electric company but i would not advice useing one of these if you are growing without a medical permit,There is just too much noise from one of these.Plus i know a guy who used one for one grow and when all the cost was weighed up it was no cheaper than the use of electric.There has been alot of rubbish put in the new's about if to much electric is been used then the electric company will set a investigation going.This is not true why would a company that is getting paid for the electric been used do this,But a few grow op's in the uk have been in the new's because they do not pay for there electric.This is a sure fire way of getting caugth may take time but in the end this will get you locked up.Pay for the electric that you use and you will be fine.It would realy have to be a realy large grow to get the electric company thinking something is wrong.But most of grower's that are doing a few plant's will be just fine............tyke.....................
Victus
Active Member
thanks. we plan on paying it. just looking to reduce costs. I was thinking about setting up a solar or wind thing that's grid connected. There's a kickback in the US for doin that and the electric company will actually buy excess power from you. It's just a thing I'm lookin up. Probably won't do either but it never hurts to have information.
Spanishfly
Well-Known Member
Problem with solar is when you need it most there isn´t any.
ExileOnMainStreet
Well-Known Member
Solar is more a way of maintaining charge on a battery over a long term than providing useful instantaneous power. Given the space (and money) that a "75W" panel takes up, it's not a very efficient way to generate power. The technology is getting better, but viable PV power still a ways off. An alternate power system will have you drawing power out of a battery bank and the catch is to generate more over the long term than you use in the short term.
Any inductive load (like a lamp filament, motor, etc) is going to require more power to run than a whole field of panels can provide.
The trick with any alternate power system is to combine generating sources. Microhydro and wind can be a help - personally, I'd spend the money on an 800W wind generator and get more usable power over the course of a year than spend the same money to get a single 75W panel. Neither option is realistic to generate enough power to drive 1000's of watts of incandescent lighting though.
I'm on shared power, so FWIW I grow with flouro tubes and CFLs and I pay the bill on time every month no matter what. I've got a wood shop set up that can explain high power usage should I ever need to justify my power consumption.
If you do go with a genny, an auto transfer switch is your friend (albeit your expensive friend). It will automatically switch you off the grid when the genny is producing voltage so you aren't powering your neighbours and, more importantly, if the public utility is shut down for maintenance/power outage, you won't give line crews a jolt. Once you get into the serious alternate-power market as opposed to the gas engine/single phase 'backup/RV' generators, you start dealing with diesel engines and sound enclosures. I've installed units in boats that use a Kubota diesel in a sound shield and, while you'll always hear it from inside the boat (40-50' LOA), the rest of the marina/anchorage isn't bothered by it. To the neighbours, it would be inconspicuous inside a suburban garage. Install at least 30% more capacity than your load analysis calls for.
My wife and I are designing an off-grid float home that will couple solar and wind for electrical for electricity with a diesel generator burning WVO as a backup. Water (both for drinking and radiant heating) will be heated by solar collection, a coil in a wood stove, and a coil in an oil (WVO) furnace. It's all about pulling the little bit of energy that each technology can provide and combining them.
And yeah, based on my local rates (which are actually pretty cheap) it IS more expensive per kW/h to generate your own power than to use the grid.
Any inductive load (like a lamp filament, motor, etc) is going to require more power to run than a whole field of panels can provide.
The trick with any alternate power system is to combine generating sources. Microhydro and wind can be a help - personally, I'd spend the money on an 800W wind generator and get more usable power over the course of a year than spend the same money to get a single 75W panel. Neither option is realistic to generate enough power to drive 1000's of watts of incandescent lighting though.
I'm on shared power, so FWIW I grow with flouro tubes and CFLs and I pay the bill on time every month no matter what. I've got a wood shop set up that can explain high power usage should I ever need to justify my power consumption.
If you do go with a genny, an auto transfer switch is your friend (albeit your expensive friend). It will automatically switch you off the grid when the genny is producing voltage so you aren't powering your neighbours and, more importantly, if the public utility is shut down for maintenance/power outage, you won't give line crews a jolt. Once you get into the serious alternate-power market as opposed to the gas engine/single phase 'backup/RV' generators, you start dealing with diesel engines and sound enclosures. I've installed units in boats that use a Kubota diesel in a sound shield and, while you'll always hear it from inside the boat (40-50' LOA), the rest of the marina/anchorage isn't bothered by it. To the neighbours, it would be inconspicuous inside a suburban garage. Install at least 30% more capacity than your load analysis calls for.
My wife and I are designing an off-grid float home that will couple solar and wind for electrical for electricity with a diesel generator burning WVO as a backup. Water (both for drinking and radiant heating) will be heated by solar collection, a coil in a wood stove, and a coil in an oil (WVO) furnace. It's all about pulling the little bit of energy that each technology can provide and combining them.
And yeah, based on my local rates (which are actually pretty cheap) it IS more expensive per kW/h to generate your own power than to use the grid.
Here ya go, will produce electricity from any gas that contains energy including methane from rotting garbage.
One big catch EXPENSIVE
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/22/the-bloom-box-a-power-plant-for-the-home-video/
One big catch EXPENSIVE
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/22/the-bloom-box-a-power-plant-for-the-home-video/
ExileOnMainStreet
Well-Known Member
What a great idea !...company that leases solar panels...
Victus
Active Member
1) I would love to see a journal of a project like that. sounds pretty cool.
2) yeah from all my research, grid seems to be the best, but it's an old house and terribly insulated. I'm not the owner of the house otherwise I'd start tearing down walls and fixin it.