Got a good deal on some batteries... $20 bucks each.
Somebody knew somebody - they were dismantling a back up power system for a high tech facility on Haleakala, Maui, and hundreds of these perfectly good batteries were being unloaded for cheap. My husband got 20. He got a solar panel from another friend, and a old inverter we had kicking around, and made himself a free-standing power system - this one for the barn in Haiku. No more starting up the generator to run the grinder or compressor! And lights at night too.
Many places on Maui rely of off grid technology for their power needs. When it comes to off the grid systems, batteries are the weak link in the chain - you can only store so much energy - and they are usually not cheap. When setting up an off grid system be sure to consult with a licensed electrician.
HAIKU MAP ~ WILL WINDPOWER WORK FOR YOU?
Maui is going to be a leader in the green energy movement and is well positioned to take advantage of sun, wind and waves to meet the growing demand of energy for Maui homes. We get by quite well with our off grid system that includes a wind generator on a 60' tower.
If you have questions about off grid living in Hawaii, give me a call.
Moving to Maui? .... see the HAIKU relocation package
Georgina M. Hunter - The Hunter - 808 283-0635
DeV - OK I'll keep posting them just for you!
Alex - If you know an electrician, or even if you don't, call some up and see if they can get a line on some batteries... apparently a lot of county and federal buildings have battery back up systems that they are always upgrading - therefore they need to get rid of the "old" stuff - they are glad to get rid of it as it's hard to send to the landfill.
Georgina, this is very cool. Arizona would probably be a good place as well to have the extra energy source. That is wonderful. I love Maui anyway. ;-)
Chuck - Maui is a tempting place, and it can be hard to get out of your head
Teri - You guys could be way ahead of the game, with all that sunshine.
Hi Georgina - I'm sure you have blogged about it before - what type wind energy system do you have? What size? On average, how much power do you produce monthly??
I'd be curious to know!
Congrats on the GREAT battery deal!
Mary - we have 3 Bergeys. The new ones are the 1000 W model. As for production power - don't know, as it's combined with the solar panels. All I know is together they produce all of our power - daily, monthly, annually ( with the exception of a handful of evenings when we have to use the back up generator due to lack of both sun and wind for a few days in a row - wintertime)
BJ - thanks for your nice comment