Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Lighting strikes may "hit" 3-4 kms away, looking to ground themselves. If the local ground is gravel or rocky they can "travel" to discharge... you will need good grounding rod/s at your immediate location to make sure.

I would suggest this minimal system for you (since no heavy loads are used)
1. 1 kw inverter/charger, 230VAC output, 24VDC input, 50HZ, non grid.
2. 4 deep cycle batteries, 6V, 220 AH, connected in series to 24VDC (match inverter input).
3. Fuse/breaker box 20A
4. 4 solar panels totaling 200 watts
5. Misc wiring

This small system can support night lighting inside/outside the home, a TV, laptop and perhaps a small fridge.

A good idea would be to build a generation hub at the far end of the plot (back yard). Typical construction would be cement blocks, wood roof & iron lockable door. The roof should be at 33 degrees angled, pointing south, south west to mount the solar panels on to it. Inside this 6ft x 6ft room, you can install the batteries & inverter, having enough room for a future genset. This hub is ideal for keeping harmful lead acid fumes from the batteries entering your home. The future genset produces noise and exhaust fumes, best to be kept away as well.

Stand alone systems are based on numbers, as you know, numbers don't lie. You must produce enough to make it thru the night... no free lunch here.

Georgios100

Once again, thanks a million Georgios100

I'm going to print off the details you've offered me and keep them in my burgeoning file. They compare quite well with suggestions from others and I'm sure I can find a happy medium for generating and storing enough power to make this comfortable for all (not just for me and my goats ).

I'm also thinking I should go on some specialist course in sustainable (i.e. free) energy resources -- I'm not short of ideas as sources, but stunted by lack of time, manpower and practical, technical know-how.

Does anyone know of such courses (Cyprus or UK)?

Or, would a simple course in electrical engineering suffice?

Sure!

How about generating Electricity by harnessing the energy from 'Hot Rocks' deep within the earth's crust!

http://www.geodynamics.com.au/IRM/content/home.html

You are more than welcome to spread the word and perhaps talk a few people in buying shares in Geodynamics! I am trying to talk up the share price!

[Oracle]

Lighting strikes may "hit" 3-4 kms away, looking to ground themselves. If the local ground is gravel or rocky they can "travel" to discharge... you will need good grounding rod/s at your immediate location to make sure.

I would suggest this minimal system for you (since no heavy loads are used)
1. 1 kw inverter/charger, 230VAC output, 24VDC input, 50HZ, non grid.
2. 4 deep cycle batteries, 6V, 220 AH, connected in series to 24VDC (match inverter input).
3. Fuse/breaker box 20A
4. 4 solar panels totaling 200 watts
5. Misc wiring

This small system can support night lighting inside/outside the home, a TV, laptop and perhaps a small fridge.

A good idea would be to build a generation hub at the far end of the plot (back yard). Typical construction would be cement blocks, wood roof & iron lockable door. The roof should be at 33 degrees angled, pointing south, south west to mount the solar panels on to it. Inside this 6ft x 6ft room, you can install the batteries & inverter, having enough room for a future genset. This hub is ideal for keeping harmful lead acid fumes from the batteries entering your home. The future genset produces noise and exhaust fumes, best to be kept away as well.

Stand alone systems are based on numbers, as you know, numbers don't lie. You must produce enough to make it thru the night... no free lunch here.

Georgios100

Once again, thanks a million Georgios100

I'm going to print off the details you've offered me and keep them in my burgeoning file. They compare quite well with suggestions from others and I'm sure I can find a happy medium for generating and storing enough power to make this comfortable for all (not just for me and my goats ).

I'm also thinking I should go on some specialist course in sustainable (i.e. free) energy resources -- I'm not short of ideas as sources, but stunted by lack of time, manpower and practical, technical know-how.

Does anyone know of such courses (Cyprus or UK)?

Or, would a simple course in electrical engineering suffice?

Sure!

How about generating Electricity by harnessing the energy from 'Hot Rocks' deep within the earth's crust!

http://www.geodynamics.com.au/IRM/content/home.html

You are more than welcome to spread the word and perhaps talk a few people in buying shares in Geodynamics! I am trying to talk up the share price!

We're on a mountainside with this one and the ground is really hard and rocky. I don't think it's worth the trouble. But, it might be OK in our Polis homes. Lots of flat, soft, well cultivated fields.

[Oracle]

Anyway, the road building is the next major project ...

[kingsdale]

Hi Oracle

We've finally got connected to the grid and I was going to get in touch with you. Unfortunately admin won't give me pm access until I make more posts??? so would you pm me with an e-mail address.

regards
Adrian