Electrical Power TA

Sources

Solar Panels

The most obvious and conventional source of power. While they provide a known path, they have several major drawbacks. Their cost is of significant concern and so is their environmental impact. Their lifespan is somewhat limited (20 yrs) and I will get very little power in the winter. A major factor here however, is that the price, lifespan and manufacturing techniques may change significantly in the next 2-4 years.

Wood Gas Generator

This would be a good backup.

Grid

Reliability and if I reach a point that I'm producing excess power, I can sell it back to the grid (I think).

Wind

It probably won't contribute a lot, but there's a good chance it will help even things out and contribute energy when it's needed most. There are some simple designs using PVC and a car alternator.

Methane digester

Produce methane which can be used. Can also be run into the generator.

Hybrid

Closely related to power is heat and water. Especially during the winter when heat is valueable, transfer heat into water and pass that through radiators.

Solar

Panels come in units of 12v @ 100w. Realistically, on a sunny day, I'll get 75w. For reference, a tablesaw is going to draw around 1000w.

Six panels cost around $600. A 40A charge controller is $20. I may be able to get a charger and inverter in one. Otherwise an inverter is at least $80. A 100AH battery is $175.

So for about $1670 I'll have access to 900w and the ability store 200AH. That should be enough to run the table saw for at least 15 minutes every hour.

This is going to be a good thing to try setting up once and running tools off it before moving it to the site.

Wood Gas

This will be good for when I'm on site to run a generator.

In this video he runs a 7.5A generator on a 4" fire tube.