Post by papaof2 on Jun 20, 2024 21:52:22 GMT -6
The better half was watching one of the "Off the Grid" programs about a couple building their "retreat" down in south Georgia. The nearest town is Douglas and the nearest town of any size is Valdosta which is 53 miles as the crow flies or 58 miles by (mostly) back roads. There are some BIG farms down there from the size of the John Deere tractor I saw working in one of the fields.
1) French doors on the front of the house but no provisions for screens.
2) Loft with sofas for watching TV and French doors for access to the deck - again no screens.
3) Septic tank - that's fine because it needs no power but you do need water to flush.
4) When his mother asks about power and water, they say "Solar power* and a well for water."
South Georgia is worse than our location in north central Georgia for insects - as in "carry you away" swarms of mosquitoes in the summer. Don't think they'll have either set of those French doors open much unless/until they figure out screening.
* The camera cuts to a pair of maybe 100 watt panels sitting on the ground out in front of the house.
- No way those two panels can provide even long term lighting unless they have a LARGE battery bank.
- A well pump typically draws hundreds of watts with possibly a startup surge of more than 1000 watts.
- No mention of batteries for storing solar power or an inverter (usually 220 volts) big enough to power a well pump.
Don't know who their "consultant" was about power, but they really needed someone who knows a heck of a lot more about off grid power than whoever they got their information from.
They do have plenty of ground space for a large solar array and one side of the house might face south so another option for mounting a large solar array.
I do feel a little bit sorry for the new owners. Although their builder was good (construction looked sturdier than typical house construction), they need insect protection and they will need running water - or at least a manual pump.
I also wonder how much misinformation they have passed on to people who might now think that the two small solar panels are actually adequate for powering something bigger a four-man tent.
I guess ignorance and stupidity are their own rewards...
Even if it's just a weekend retreat, they will want lighting, running water, refrigeration and most likely air conditioning in July and August.
1) French doors on the front of the house but no provisions for screens.
2) Loft with sofas for watching TV and French doors for access to the deck - again no screens.
3) Septic tank - that's fine because it needs no power but you do need water to flush.
4) When his mother asks about power and water, they say "Solar power* and a well for water."
South Georgia is worse than our location in north central Georgia for insects - as in "carry you away" swarms of mosquitoes in the summer. Don't think they'll have either set of those French doors open much unless/until they figure out screening.
* The camera cuts to a pair of maybe 100 watt panels sitting on the ground out in front of the house.
- No way those two panels can provide even long term lighting unless they have a LARGE battery bank.
- A well pump typically draws hundreds of watts with possibly a startup surge of more than 1000 watts.
- No mention of batteries for storing solar power or an inverter (usually 220 volts) big enough to power a well pump.
Don't know who their "consultant" was about power, but they really needed someone who knows a heck of a lot more about off grid power than whoever they got their information from.
They do have plenty of ground space for a large solar array and one side of the house might face south so another option for mounting a large solar array.
I do feel a little bit sorry for the new owners. Although their builder was good (construction looked sturdier than typical house construction), they need insect protection and they will need running water - or at least a manual pump.
I also wonder how much misinformation they have passed on to people who might now think that the two small solar panels are actually adequate for powering something bigger a four-man tent.
I guess ignorance and stupidity are their own rewards...
Even if it's just a weekend retreat, they will want lighting, running water, refrigeration and most likely air conditioning in July and August.
