Off the Grid

With energy costs on the rise and fear of economic collapse, there's a real attraction to self-sufficiency.  Solar, wind, geo-thermal and use of alternative fuels have become more familiar in the last several years.  As these technologies start proving their worth over time, they will likely be adopted by the mainstream consumer. 

Corporate R&D departments are tapping into builders for information.  At the International Builders Show in 2009, Michael Tenhulzen was asked to be a member of a research study on residential solar energy.  Results were recently released for a product that will soon be competing with traditional solar arrays.

Selling energy back to the utilities is a more intriguing prospect than ever with rising energy costs and regulation.  Unfortunately, the mainstream market won't adopt the solar, wind and other energy conversion technologies until the return on investment becomes more favorable.  Currently, a solar array and battery system that can support the basic needs of a home overnight takes roughly 15 years to "pay for itself".  And then there's the argument about solar efficiency of Seattle's weather at the 48th parallel.  Wind farms along the Columbia Gorge and other wind prone locations are effective, but their residential counterparts are relatively costly compared to potential output.  When considering alternative energy sources, the less moving parts, the better.

There are a multitude of resources out there for becoming less reliant on "the system".  A good place to start is off-grid-living.com.  Of course, energy is only one component of becoming more self-reliant.  Water resources are threatened by drought, earthquakes and bio-chemical terrorism.  Try shutting off the water to your house for a day.  How would your family function?  It's worth investigating the possibility of drawing water out of the earth's natural filtration system.  Well water resources are more plentiful than we think.  A good well with a solar-powered pump may be the best investment in supporting life on your property.

In recent years, it seems a lot more people are interested in growing and raising their own food sources to reduce intake of potentially harmful chemicals and reduce cost of living expenses.  If your neighborhood can tolerate it, having some chickens and goats can support a healthy diet and provide natural fertilizer for the garden.  Read up on what soil types support what types of foods.  Then plan your yields according to your needs.  Many varieties of fruits and vegetables can be planted a month apart so they mature as they are needed.  Over the winter, dried, frozen and canned foods are depleted for re-stocking during the growing months.

Thinking about getting off the grid is a little like going back in time.  How did people survive before indoor plumbing?  Before electricity?  By adjusting your lifestyle to adopt some of the "off the grid" concepts, you'll find yourself less threatened by rising energy costs, food prices and the inevitable natural disaster.