By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 04:59:59 +0000

Just some data on a regional village based 100% off grid system for a 120sqm home . Climate is Alpine. 12 volt 1000ah (6 x 2v) wet cell traction batteries running 3/9kw inverter fed via 4.5kw of unshaded panels sitting at 15 deg angle to maximise skylight on cloudy days and still self clean . 2 x 80 amp mppt chargers.Winter solstice average is 13kwh per day , summer is 20kwh plus. System is “over-panelled” for a flatter , longer charge curve with good fog and drizzle skylight performance. Genset of 3.4kw use is 30 hours per year ( 6 x cycles using a 5 litre tank ) . Cost all up is $2.20 per day and approx 10kwh per day is consumed. Works out at $8k up front investment at $1 a day (interest on that) , battery and inverter replace budget $1 day (5-7 years ) plus fuel and genset consumables cost of $0.20 cents per day. Uptime is 5 x9′s , far better than mains ! Hot water is LPG at approx $100 year using 4 x 9kg bottles at $20 a fill n parallel due alpine to get the drawoff needed yet save on bottle rentals and can swap Over D.I.Y. . Cooking and heating is wood heater and gas cooker , plus induction and numerous other electric appliances – Use of gas or electric options depending on weather and time of day.Wood source is offcuts from local hardwood mill at $150 per year.. No cooling apart from ceiling fans. Surplus power feeds 2 x 450 watt wall panel heaters for the in between seasons when a fire is not needed during the day All lights are LED ( over 40 x 10w lights) , Led 40 inch TV , full size toaster oven , toaster , 2 x microwaves , 240 litre fridge , freezer .computers , stereo systems , power tools etc. Water pump has its own 120 watt panel and deep cycle battery to take the start surge load off main Inverter.Just like a normal house except you cant run everything at once. But you don’t always think of having to turn things off either !

Comments on: Off the grid electricity data for Sydney’s Sustainable House

By: Phil