how to convert a mountain home to solar

datman · #1 (**permalink**) 15th-April-2006, 04:01 PM

I have become interested in this. One it will help global warming in a small way. Mostly when and if the impending doom should come. I think have a full self sufficient home in west NC where I can grow my own food will be our best option.

This is just an effort to find out more information. What I have come up with so far. I can install multiple solar panels on the roof (which is metal) and one windmill. I don't have the wattages in front of me. I'm just going over the basic install plan. All of these are 12 volt systems. This would all feed into a destitution panel and multiple battery backup system. I would then need to 2 or more converters stepping it up to 120 a/c. I can run all the lights and small appliances. Leaving only stove , heaters and water heater on the primary circuit. I don't know how many solar panels ,batteries and converters are need to adequately power a small home.

I'm sure there is a lot more that's why I'm posting this

SolarKen · #2 (**permalink**) 23rd-June-2006, 08:38 PM

Do you know the system wind energy - heat - stirling engine?
This system stores energy by heat.
The heat is stored with the heat of fusion of some salts...
NaCl, an example..., stores 250-300 kwh of thermal energy(more than 100 kwh/m3 of electric energy)!
Also you can use the thermal energy that is lost (during the passage thermal energy-electric energy...) for heating etc...

I dont' think that is impossible a personal..building...