Quote:
Originally Posted by i-215
The idea of off-the-grid is facinating. I didn't know it could actually be done. I live in Utah, so I'm beginning to let the wheels spin in my head of actually doing it.
How much do panels cost? Generally how long does it take the "break even" (savings in electricity = cost of the panel)
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People have actually been doing this (mainstream) since the 1960s, when it became really popular.
There are several ways of going about it ... but by far the most affordable is to:
- remodel/build your house to take advantage of solar heat gain and lighting, which depends on where you live and what the climate is like
- insulate the heck out of your house - and if you live in a desert - make sure it has plenty of thermal mass
- size the electrical appliances in your house to use the minimum amount of electricity necessary - dump the computer for a laptop, use only energy star appliances, and forego the clothes dryer
- install hot water solar panels to handle 100% of your water needs
- size a PV system to handle 100% of your (reduced) electrical needs