Living off the grid, Part IV: Catching the Wind

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Few people choose to power their entire household with the wind. In many instances, wind blows stronger during the winter months, leaving homesteaders to devise an alternative generating device for the summer. Hybrid systems, like Mark and Ellen's PV/wind system, are an ideal solution and there are thousands like them across America.

Another hybrid system is a utility-tied configuration. In this system there are no batteries. The utility acts as storage. Most of your appliances are run off grid power. However, when the wind blows, you sell energy back to the utility. Wouldn't it be nice to receive a check from the local utility company rather than a bill?

The Search for Self-Sufficiency
By Linda Matise

After 2 years of powering our remote home on a small generator, my husband John and I were desperate. We had to eliminate the noise, gasoline, oil changes, and fumes or finally admit that what was originally envisioned as a conscientious attempt at energy self-sufficiency was turning into a terrific nuisance. One morning after we stepped outside to get a soul full of fresh air and instead caught yet another mouthful of exhaust, we contacted a couple of wind turbine manufacturers for specifications and wind data. Their charts and graphs, spread out over the kitchen table, provided information about equipment operation and wind velocity. Financial resources dictated that we move slowly, but we were determined to get moving.

One year later, John and I enjoy a rural life-style in the Tehachapi mountains with modern conveniences ...and no fumes. We convert both wind and solar power to 110-V household current. We also have a backup generator — just in case Mother Nature takes a rest. Our primary electrical supply is generated by a 1.5-kW Bergey wind turbine, mounted on a 50-foot, old-fashioned, stock tank windmill. The turbine is a 24-hour renewable source and the solar panels complement the power system on sunny days. During winter, solar benefts are limited by shorter days, but the wind is present across our mountains.

Our refrigerator, heaters, and water heater run on propane gas. On household current (stored in batteries and transformed from 24-V DC power to 110-V AC for the house outlets through an inverter), we operate a color TV, VCR, computer, printer, washer, dryer, 1,500-W hair dryer, water well and water pressure pump, garage door opener, water filtration system, and outdoor lighting.

But how did we get there?

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