Check out this captivating journey into the world of Renewable energy!
If you are terrified when checking your power accounts, it's time to consider an alternate power source to capture the suns energy. The options are now vast, and the decision-making process is intriguing and confusing. The decision to go off-grid or be grid-tied both come with their own set of advantages.
let's personalize your renewable energy journey.
Ready to break old habits and make the most of freely available power?
Motivated by environmental concerns, financial savings, or a bit of both?
Willing to educate your family and visitors?
Do you prefer cooking with gas or induction?
Hot water gas califont or a storage cylinder?
What about a wood fire with a wetback?
All these questions have neither a right nor a wrong answer, the answers simply determine the battery storage capacity and solar panel numbers required.
Let's embark on a personal journey –
Imagine a remote cabin with a small energy system including 4 /150-W panels, 4 hand-me-down mobility scooter 2/51-AH & 2/74AH-12V batteries, and a 2000-watt inverter. A few light bulbs, chest fridge, gravity water to a gas califont, gas hobs and oven. Back up with a 2000/1600-W generator. When the power runs low, jump into camping mode, grab the headlamp, or turn in early.
Total cost $2.5K + generator
Now imagine a small home for two (too big to be a tiny house) with a medium energy system installed including 6/450-W solar panels, 5-KW battery, and a 48-V, 3000-VA 35-AMP inverter. All the above appliances, plus a freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, and Starlink. On the best day, this system produces 11-KW, and on the worst 1.1-KW. Thankfully, this system has a separate switch to allow dumping of excess power to a hot water cylinder, allowing for sun powered summer showers.
Total Cost $20K* + generator
These large fluctuations of 1.0-KW to 11-KW** are normal and need to be designed for – the ability to dump power - not waste it, and the ability to save power or produce power from another source is necessary.
Let's consider your journey.
Check your power bill
what is your daily KW usage? 3-KW? 6-KW?
Budget around $5K per 1-KW.
A 4-KW system (4-KW per day) requires 5-KW battery storage, and an 8-KW system requires 10-KWs. (Plus, to allow for low-power production days, increase the size of the system or depend more on your backup)
Before you jump in:
Are you staying put for the next 5 years? These systems do add value, but not to the full dollar amount.
Additionally, this investment represents a significant upfront cost (20,40,60K***) and although you are insulating yourself from further power price rate hikes – It's essential to compare this investment with other potential investments, say a term deposit, $40K at 5%***, less tax at 30% = $1,400 a year, and at years end 40K is still in the bank.
Still Keen? Good – Ideally you will closely pair your system to your power usage, but that can change. Of note each component is paired to the system size you chose – there are limitations to how much can be added, if you decide to nearly double your system it is often better to install a twin system instead of modifying.
Question your grid-tied/grid-free friends, find an exceptional installer, to design you a system - one who listens to your wants and needs, avoid the pigeonhole installers.
Enjoy the journey!
If you’re looking at building and appreciate a design consultant with first-hand sustainability experience, I can help you nail down your brief, provide you with sketch designs, produce working drawings, arrange building consent and carry out contract monitoring if required. Incorporating many proven sustainable principles.
The Cook Costello’s Architectural Team are looking forward to hearing from you.
Jan Irving
Architectural Designer. NZICE, TCD, NDAT. jan@coco.co.nz
*The costing and resources described are for a 2022 installation.
** Actual variations experienced over a 12-month period 2023-24
*** Indicative only