Help with Solar Setup Info

[Ekki Adventurers]

Hi all,
OK info trolling at the moment. For those of you that don't know we are looking at relocating up to Qld Country on 4 acres. We want to be totally self sufficient so solar power rather than attaching into the grid.
Apart from rebate from state & federal governments. What would we need for two people who already are power saving savy in small steel frame home, (a shed really), eg batteries, panels, inverter etc. We've decided to run Wooky's shed on a generator so would only need to power the house (6x9 ish). already thinking of non standard fridge, but running two car fridges (1 cooling, 1 freezer) for the house, a couple of lights/power points and a couple of ceiling fans. Water pump from rainwater tanks for water etc.
Does anyone have any ideas, things to be aware of, how much we would need etc.

Any info would be great.
Kaz

 

[4X4]

Some interesting reading here: Caravan and Motorhome Books

Cheers

 

[mrfelix]

Hi all,
OK info trolling at the moment. For those of you that don't know we are looking at relocating up to Qld Country on 4 acres. We want to be totally self sufficient so solar power rather than attaching into the grid.
Apart from rebate from state & federal governments. What would we need for two people who already are power saving savy in small steel frame home, (a shed really), eg batteries, panels, inverter etc. We've decided to run Wooky's shed on a generator so would only need to power the house (6x9 ish). already thinking of non standard fridge, but running two car fridges (1 cooling, 1 freezer) for the house, a couple of lights/power points and a couple of ceiling fans. Water pump from rainwater tanks for water etc.
Does anyone have any ideas, things to be aware of, how much we would need etc.

Any info would be great.
Kaz

you'll find a lot of info at the 'green' section of the whirlpool forums

 

[Ekki Adventurers]

Thanks guys

 

[billolga]

How about the Computer - Internet - TV etc, even inverters use power, they all add up. Also keep in mind that Government subsidies don't last for ever - In your assessments work out the costs without Government hand outs. (Remember the LPG in cars?)

Solar & Wind power do not provide base power & need either mains power or batteries for the rest of the time.

 

[Ekki Adventurers]

How about the Computer - Internet - TV etc, even inverters use power, they all add up. Also keep in mind that Government subsidies don't last for ever - In your assessments work out the costs without Government hand outs. (Remember the LPG in cars?)

Solar & Wind power do not provide base power & need either mains power or batteries for the rest of the time.

yeah, we're working all those into the equation. At the moment it will cost a bit more to set up off the grid and we probably won't be able to get the gov subsidy as we will be within 1km of power lines, but (and I'm still working on the figures) we should be better off on a yearly basis if the work dries up or we can't get any. Somewhere between $10,000 - $20,000 for stand alone solar, but this include the batteries etc. Will cost about $10,000 to attach to the grid with no solar so am mainly looking for things to be careful of. Then there's the option of attaching to the grid with solar and pumping back in. So many decisions, so many pros and cons...... argh

 

[Cougz]

Kaz this may be a bit left field what about wind turbine to charge the batteries. Thats free and can do it at night as well.

100LockedLoaded on the Move
Tapatalk

 

[Cuvier100]

All the companies that supply RAPS (remote area power supply) systems will calculate the size of the system you require and give you a price.

Also most government departments provide calculation worksheets etc. Download a worksheet from here:
Office Of Energy - Small Scale Applications

Use this sheet to calculate it for yourself.

 

[Ekki Adventurers]

Thanks guys. Been thinking of wind, although the noise can be a bit much at times. I'll sus out the worksheet Cuvier100. Still throwing around ideas. Now thinking of large old caravan with steel annexe. Too many choices, but looking forward to the adventure.....
Please keep the ideas coming.