Getting off the grid

Getting off the grid is a daunting task given that moving to alternate energy sources can be expensive. Upon doing some initial research, I asked myself, “Why don’t more people use alternative energy?”  The answer can be as simple as economics.

Having someone install a solar energy system can cost an average homeowner $30,000. The old life expectancy was 25 – 30 years with depletion in power due to the aging solar panels. The new panels may last 40 years. When comparing the cost of a solar energy system to the cost of the electric bill every month; there seems to be little incentive to spend a large sum of cash when convenience is equally priced.

However, if one is serious about getting off the grid and saving money, one can save a considerable amount of cash by building your own solar panels as instructed in the publication “Make your own Solar Panels and save $$$$”.

When speaking with a friend about his new housing project, he mentioned that he will be using solar energy to power his retirement home. He said that he searched for the best solution given that his home is located in the middle of nowhere with no power lines. He wanted to keep the rugged scenery untouched, so he built his own solar panels and installed the alternative energy system for around $3,000.

Did you see that? That’s right, for those of us who are handy and willing to follow instructions we can build and install our own solar energy system economically, enabling us to get off the grid. One can anticipate spending about $220 - $250 for each panel. My frugal friend, of course spent about $200, and said that once he had the first panel built, the remaining panels were easy.

Panels are about half of the cost associated with a solar energy system. One would also need to determine how to get the electricity into the home. You must decide which converters to install based upon your own personal preferences and whether or not to sell the excess electricity to the local power company.

For those of us still on the grid, selling the excess electricity back to the power company may help off-set the cost of having to purchase electricity when the solar energy system is unable to produce power.

Indeed, this is a daunting task, but one well worth the investment if you can make the change reasonably.