What is the best method of alternative electricity for a cabin? Solar, wind, geothermal or ?
Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at
12:17 am
We are looking at all the ways to get off of the local power grid and power a 1200 sq ft cabin. We are interested in the long and short term financial benefits. I’m sure their are many aspects of this we have no knowledge of. With you answer please include the pros and cons.
As far as wind. I live in TN. From what I have learned so far we are on the low side for being able to use wind. I have talked to several manufacturers, but it seems like they just tell me what they want me to hear. Whether I ask solar or wind generator sales people they always tell me theirs will work best.
Filed under: Wind energy
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Whether it is solar or wind, your best bet is to hook up to the grid, and save on the cost of batteries.
Unless you are prepared to drill a 1000 yards into the earth, and perhaps more then Geothermal is not an option.
from most sources the most available geothermal sites are in central CA. and AZ.
Solar requires sun light, and wind generators require wind, so the answer to your question depends on where your cabin is.
Prayers.
solar is the best energy source
I think solar and wind is best.
Pro; solar is great if you have enough sun.
Wind is great if you’ve got a steady wind.
Con; the amount and placement of solar panels can be hard.
Can you put up a wind generator where you live.
You need both solar and wind to have a reliable supply. But I would do wind first as it will work at night.
id say combination of solar and wind if possible
Don’t forget hydropower. I doubt any one is "best".
I would use solar cells with a battery and inverter system. Also add a gasoline generator for peak use. The generator would charge up the batteries quickly and is most cost efficient. A lot depends on the amount of sunlight. Ironically, the more sunlight you have the more A/C requirement you have. R-31 in the attic and R-19 in the walls with a radiation barrier paint should get the job done for you. Radiation barrier paint is simply a paint with metal that reflects infrared radiation. You can accomplish the same thing by using aluminum covered foam board on the outside walls between the studs and exterior sheathing.
If you are doing this to reduce your energy use it is not worth it. Live in a place that has the kind of amenities you prefer and can afford. Keep in mind commuting expense.
solar and wind are best, geothermal doesn’t make electricity it provides a
base heat source where you only have to supplement heat or cooling to provide temperature control
For starters, going "off grid" is not necessarily green. Large-scale power generators use fossil fuels more efficiently, so are actually fairly efficient.
That said, you should consider solar panels, but they’ll only power your home part of the day. Make sure the cabin has a lot of insulation, and generally make sure you don’t waste a lot of the energy that you do consume (efficiency is actually a much more promising source of greening the planet than alternative generation sources–we waste a great deal of the energy we consume).
You must do a little homework yourself. How much sun does your place get a year? How often is the wind blowing above 10 mph? Keep a record or study wind and sun maps online. For heat, I’d suggest a wood stove.