Off grid living is becoming more appealing to many people as the cost of energy continues to rise . Unplugging from the electric grid and producing all of your own power is now very possible. Many people are generating their own electricity with solar panels or wind turbines and accommodate all of their power needs, if their system is correctly sized. By producing some of your own electricity, you can take at least a small step towards off grid living.

First, let’s discuss solar power. For supplying electricity to houses, solar panels are a great option all around the globe and even in remote or harsh areas. The only requirement is lots of sunlight and some hardware. It is actually pretty easy to build your own solar panel.  To see the best guide I’ve found, visit   Green DIY Energy .   Solar power systems can be big or small and can even be portable to take in your RV. Solar panels need very little maintenance, are tough and will last 20 or more years if taken care of.

Any solar power system will include a number of solar panels that are connected together. Solar panels in the northern hemisphere should be facing directly south for the highest power output. Some solar power systems use panels that rotate so they always point directly at the sun, though with more recent solar panels this is less important than it was with older panels. With modern solar panels, as long as they are pointed due south and at the proper vertical angle, stationary panels will work almost as well as ones driven by motors.   For another good guide to building a your own solar panel check out   Build a Solar Panel .

Since solar cells produce Direct Current (DC), the electricity produced by solar cells can be used to power any DC appliance or to charge batteries. Charging batteries can be useful to provide power when the sun isn’t shining, like at night after the sun goes down.

If you want to provide electricity to Alternating Current (AC) appliances like you typically have around your home, you will need a power inverter. The power inverter will take power from both solar panels and batteries and convert it into AC electricity.

A wind turbine can also be used to generate the power that will enable you to begin living off grid. Wind turbines can be mounted on a tower, a pole or sometimes even the roof of your house. They are very efficient and fairly small. Wind turbine can generate power at night, which is an advantage over solar panels. A wind turbine can generate power as long as the wind is blowing.   For information about making a diy wind generator, take a look at   Earth4Energy

It is possible to combine both solar panels and a wind generator in one system. You can use the same power inverter and batteries with both solar and wind and this setup can give you the best of both worlds. If it is sunny and calm, the solar panels will provide most of the power and if it overcast and windy or at night the wind turbine will take over.

Using either or both of these systems can provide enough electricity to enable you to pull the plug and start living off grid. It can be your first step towards fulfilling your dream of living completely off grid.


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