Facing sky-high connection fees; Ontarians go off the grid

[410001661]

The largest issue is the storage. Batteries are heavy, expensive and do not like extreme cold or heat. Proper ventilation is required when charging and they have a finite life.

The good thing is that because of technological developments they are getting better and cheaper. Also do NOT cheap out on the inverter. The ones you see at Crappy Tire work but not great and not for long

[rf2]

My sister has an off-grid setup. Solar panels and a backup propane generator. Wood heat.
Seems to work okay. Already paid for itself.

This is what I have at my cottage. I bought it that way, and was skeptical at first, but it works very well. Of course, a cottage is not the same as a full time residence, but with a well designed system, I don't see why solar/propane/wood heating with maybe some wind to supplement wouldn't be viable for full time use. It does feel good not getting an electricity bill every month and not worrying about power outages.

[410001661]

This is what I have at my cottage. I bought it that way, and was skeptical at first, but it works very well. Of course, a cottage is not the same as a full time residence, but with a well designed system, I don't see why solar/propane/wood heating with maybe some wind to supplement wouldn't be viable for full time use. It does feel good not getting an electricity bill every month and not worrying about power outages.

Generac has a nice back up generator and it can be hooked up to propane or natural gas.

[rf2]

Generac has a nice back up generator and it can be hooked up to propane or natural gas.

I'm using a Firman portable generator that I got at Costco which can run on gasoline, LPG or NG at the flip of a switch. It's pretty versatile. I don't know if the Generacs you are talking about are those permanently installed versions, but yes, those are really nice. My inlaws have one (runs on NG) installed at their home and it's all tied in so that it starts automatically when their line power goes out. Very nice system, but more than what I need for cottage life. If I need the generator (so far, only when I want to run big draw tools), I unlock it, connect to the central propane system, start it manually, then plug in the line to the cottage. Takes less than 5 minutes. The battery charge controller automatically charges the batteries, and the rest of the power is available to the cottage.

[Stu]

We have a Generac 22K propane generator that was installed about 1 1/2 years ago. It's only had to be used a few times since but once was for about 3 hours. We have forced air electric heat. If not we could have had a smaller unit. The power isn't off even a minute before the generator starts.
Our sump pump runs a lot so it is peace of mind in the wet seasons. I keep a back up sump pump ready in case of pump failure.

[MikePal]

I was looking into that set-up with my buddy for his place..All is great except the price..quoted $14.5K .

I'd do that install with a new home and float the cost into the mortgage, but hard to substantiate otherwise.

My back-up is just a 4500kw that is thru a transfer switch. Provides 30 amp service which covers power for the well , fridge and a few lights. I cost me about $1K all together, for something (knock on wood) I may never use HaHa..

[Stu]

Yes Mike, it's not cheap. I also have a good portable 8000 generator that I used previous to this set up which is ok if we're at home but this comes on when we are away as well. I had quite a time convincing myself to put out the money. I can be pretty cheap. Now that it's there and paid for when it was installed I don't regret it.
I may sell the portable generator.

[410001661]

I have wired up many permanent and portable generators and I always insist on either a generator panel or a small transfer switch (manual or automatic).

[MikePal]

In the context of this thread, if I were to build on a rural property I would definitely go the route this guy did. My place is about 1K from the Hydro feed and it takes 8 hydro poles to bring the power up to the house. I can't imagine what that would cost now, but if I could do it up with solar/wind for under $40K, with a backup propane system it would be a no brainer.

I wonder how those guys that lucked into one of those original FIT programs with Hydro have made out. Selling power back to them at $0.85 /kw was a great deal as long as the equipment maintenance didn't eat to much of it up.

Anyone know anyone and how it worked out. ??

[Gilroy]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...nson-1.6201547