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  • From: Richard Robinson <rrobinson AT nasw.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] slightly off topic: solar back-up
  • Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:03:37 -0500

I am looking for a starter photovoltaic system that can serve as back-up
power for when
the lines go down, as well as reduce our electricity bill. After a freak snow
storm last
month here in Massachusetts, we suffered through 4 days without electricity,
which meant
no water from the well, and a thawing freezer. I swore I would go right out
and buy a
generator as soon as the stores had them back in stock, but now wonder if I
could spend a
little more, and run what I need on PV.

Unfortunately our house is mostly in the shade, so roof installation is not a
great
option. But we have sunny fields close enough to run wires to. I am hoping
there is a 240V
off-the-shelf system that would let me run the well pump, along with the
freezer and
fridge (I'd be happy to switch from one to the other as needed, rather than
install a
larger panel to run them all simultaneously, in order to keep my costs
lower). It would be
nice to be on the grid and sell back power, but again, I am less concerned
with this at
the start than with just having a system ready to go when the power goes out.

Does this seem reasonable? Any recommendations on how to get started on this?

Richard Robinson
www.nasw.org/users/rrobinson/
Hopestill Farm
www.hopestill.com





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