Getting Started

A lot of people have approached us and said that they were interested in building a solar or wind powered system, but had no idea where to begin. We have compiled a list of activities, tips and tricks that will get you on your way to a successful project.

Once you have read through our site, fill out this location form. We will review your answers and help you decide on the best system to meet your needs.

Conserve

As all systems size are based on energy consumption it is therefore wise to conserve energy. Every dollar spent on reducing your energy consumption will save $4 in system cost. This applies to all forms of energy, be it thermal or electrical. Reduce your loads and you will reduce the size of your system. Not sure if your appliance is energy efficient? Try using a Kill a Watt meter or similar. Try before you buy. There are many ways of conserving energy, the easiest and least expensive is to condition yourself and others in your household by turning off lights, appliances when they and being used. Power bars are an excellent way of turning off "Phantom Loads" which are a parasitic draw on batteries in a off grid system and a constant draw for on grid applications.

Educate yourself

There are many facets of a renewable energy system. You will make a more informed decision on the components required to complete your system. With many excellent books, web sites and periodicals on the subjects it is easier than you think.

Resource

What is your best resource? For best results solar thermal or Photo voltaic need full sun from 9am to 3pm. Wind needs unobstructed strong consistent winds. There are very few perfect sites so don't fret if yours isn't one of them. Where do I find information for my site? Try www.windatlas.ca for information on wind speeds and wind energy. Be careful to check for proper heights as the higher readings can give a false sense of wind speed closer to ground level. For solar radiation (and wind speed) you can download modules free of charge from www.retscreen.net . You will need Excel, to work through the spreadsheets. They also have information for solar air heating, ground source heat pumps biomass and more. Also available on Excel is a sizing spread sheet that allows you to enter your own energy usage. This is a great tool to give a good indication of system size. HomePower magazine was the first periodical to explore, test and live with wind and solar energy, it is still a very valuable resource. Paul Gipe has a few books available on wind and wind energy as well as a good web site.

Budget

Your budget will dictate the size and to some extent quality of the system. For PV look at approximately $8/Watt Cdn, larger PV modules are cheaper per Watt than smaller modules. For a sine wave inverter charger, about $0.50 to $1/Watt. Power centers are inverters with all the disconnects, circuit breakers reassembled and will cost more, but will be faster and therefore less expensive to install in the field. Charge controllers range from $3/amp to over $10 depending on features chosen. Good deep cycle batteries will range from $0.5/amp/hr up to $3/amp/hr plus. Batteries need to be placed in an enclosure and vented outside, if they are installed inside. Wire costs are dependent on the site and where everything is located. PV mounts are also dependent on the site and where the panels are mounted.

As for wind turbines, it is cheaper per Watt the larger you go. Don't base your decision on the highest Watt rated turbine. There are currently no standards by which wind turbines are rated so do your homework. Some are rated at 28mph while others are rated at 26mph and so on. Base your decision on swept area, as this will dictate your potential energy production, along with proper siting and a location free of obstacles. A good track record of past performance and reliability. Warranty periods also indicate how much confidence the manufacturer has in their product.

Build as tall a tower as you can afford and/or as high as your local zoning jurisdiction will allow. Guyed towers are less expensive than monopole towers but don't look as good. Tower cost is dependent on the height of the tower and the size of the turbine with consideration given to soil conditions. Many towers will need local government approval so check what is required before starting your project. In many areas small wind turbines are unknown and may require some persistent lobbying to get approval. Come prepared with manufacturer noise documentation, wiring diagrams, installation information.

Design

When you purchase a alternative energy system, be it for off grid, on grid, RV or any other application you are buying your energy up front, so it pays to plan ahead and be ready for future changes or growth.