generators?

[Hootie]

how many amps are you drawing? if you know that you can work out the size, 10kw does not sound like enough to run aircons and fans, you may even draw 200-300 amps which may require a 90kw/ 80kva generator... most gene's run on diesel and are not to bad on running costs, unless youre running at critical power

[Hootie]

spongebob is right. a gas, or even diesel generator is totally impractical. however, solar and wind technology may be interesting.

should this topic be moved into a new area for renewable energy maybe?

unfortunately not the amount of power needed for fans and aircons is way to high for wind or solar... the costs of just getting such a solar pannel would be the most unpractical.... this is why the diesel generators are in high demand

[Opie Yutts]

I'm guessing wherever you are off the grid in the states is going to have a lot of sunshine, even in winter. I would be considering shelling out large chunks of cash in the beginning to get self sufficient as far as power is concerned, and probably solar would be the way to go, perhaps with a few windmills if there is enough wind. Geothermal? Water wheels? Is your place off the grid by a river? Solar is only going to continue to come down in price.

[klondike_bar]

wind is best cost effeciency i believe... whyd u want aircon tho? heating in winter, but summer temps wont harm, will they?

and fans should be pretty low powered

[spongebobsmokepants]

You could easily spend $10,000 to $30,000 buying enough equipment to run that size grow. I have spent alot of time pricing wind and solar to see if it is feasible to get my house off the grid. It is hella expensive!

[klondike_bar]

sadly.... its getting there slowly at least...

you can always build a basement fusion reactor tho and power your 'hood

[Forwhat420]

diesel generator(s) running hybird fuel hmmmmm.. sounds nice sound though. would be a nice crop though

[Forwhat420]

lol. im high.. the sound would be a problem is what i am saying. solar power is a thought but would be great gamble investment.

[Opie Yutts]

Grow crops that can make biodiesel (corn?), and use it to run your generator. It can have a muffler, but out in the middle of nowhere you wouldn't be disturbing your neighbors either way.

[mikeyjo]

Best, would be having a stream or a river running through the property. A chunk of the water could be diverted to spin a turbine.