I currently only have a 65 watt solar panel installed and have been functioning with it and my generator for the last few years. I purchased two 235 watt solar panels last year and have been waiting to be able to afford a new charge controller to get it all installed. My friend, Doug, put the panels up for me and I just needed a new controller and wire, none of which is cheap.
So with my local tax refunds, that I did not know until April I could file for, I was able to purchase the missing parts and am ready to get everything installed. I did quite a bit of research and asking questions before I decided which charge controller to purchase. I decided on the Outback Flexmax60 MPPT controller. It will allow me to grow to a certain extent but I don't foresee me needing to add much more to the system as I really don't use a lot of electric and for right now it is just me. The inverter I use right now is only a 750 watt inverter. I purchased a 1500 watt inverter to connect to the new system once everything else is hooked up.
Once this is installed and I am up and soaking up the sun I will move to the next step of purchasing new batteries. I am not certain of the age of my current ones. I hooked them up about 3-4 years ago but I don't know how old they really are and they only last so long.
Again I am really excited to be upgrading and I won't have to run my generator as much as I have been which will be really nice.
Peace,
Pam
In the Ringing Cedars of Russia it is talked about how woman will be the leaders in learning to be self sufficient. The men will come later. Awesome to see what you are doing and good luck. I'm not quite there yet, but I hope to get my own piece of land soon. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt does take a lot of looking and planning. I was lucky in that I was involved at the beginning of the process with the development of an intentional community, http://www.wisteria.org/community.htm. Loved the people and the land and was able to become part of it and this allowed me to have a jumping off place and people to be available to help.
ReplyDeleteI have also learned timing is everything.
Pam, Do you live in Wisteria? Is this a permanent residence? Can you give any info as to the cost or what is involved in this? This sounds fabulous!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI do live at Wisteria. There are 4 households that are here full time and we are all off-grid. There is another household that has a house that they visit and it is on-grid. And there is another household in the process of building a home here.
Wisteria is made up of shareholders so to be a part of it you need to become a shareholder and there is a process to become one. We have an extend community of friends and family that are involved with a number of the projects that we have happening. The biggest is our eventsite that helps pay for things. We do have some shares up for sale but I don't have details on this.
New people become involved by coming to events or volunteering and getting to know us and to see if it would be something that they would be interested in. Living in an intentional community is not for everyone and each community is going to be different.
Peace,
Pam
Hello! I also built my own home. My name is Tami Standridge, I wanted to share my story on how I, a single mother working full-time making $8.00 - $10.00 an hour and raising two children, built my dream home for under $20,000! My dream was to build a self-sufficient home with cash so I could live debt free and off the grid. FREEDOM Is what I was seeking for myself and my children and... FREEDOM Is what I accomplished. And a whole lot more!!! I wrote my story to hopefully inspire and encourage everyone who reads it, to go out and follow their dreams no matter what they are! I recently wrote an ebook: "Living Free Off The Grid" sharing my story with over 50 pictures! Shoot for the stars, follow your dreams, You can do it! Peace & Love
ReplyDeleteTami Standridge
Tami,
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I cannot imagine what it would be like to try and do this while raising kids. It takes a lot of drive, frustration and determination to make it happen. We know that in the long run it will be worth everything.
I will have to check out your ebook.
Peace,
Pam