Hello from Anita!
LA was a foreign country after being a big fish in Dallas, and my dearly beloved wanted, no, needed some land. That’s a tall order for peasants in Malibu.
But with the tenacity of a tick, he found the “perfect place” with a sweeping panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean far up a curving mountain road, in the cleft of a rock. Craggy Backbone Trail jutted up behind us, a mountain lion’s paradise.
The early morning clouds pufffed pink below us at dawn until the sun and wind blew them out to sea. A romantic hearts’ dream come true and affordable(!), with owner financing no less! I soon learned why.
There was just one small detail. Actually, more than one, but those are stories for another day.
There was no electric power down the quiet canyon road…
And so began our adventures with off grid living three decades ago. There were other oddballs living in that canyon too. We had a very primitive system with just four solar panels, a big old belching propane generator and some funky batteries that needed water every few weeks. Being in sunny southern California, air-conditioning was not necessary and everything else ran off propane.
The system was very basic. My propane refrigerator was a throw back to the 1940’s, the old girl iced up like a glacier, requiring hours to defrost.
Skipping ahead to the next adventure back home in Texas many years later, down another shady private road with … big surprise…no utilities, this time we put together a bit more robust system. There are more options for pretty, private land if you are willing to put in utilities yourself.
This system started with twelve mounted panels, 12 marine batteries, an inverter and a generator backup, which we didn’t have to use more than once a week, depending on the weather.
We added more panels later and a mini-split air conditioner used only during daylight hours. With our “mild” Texas winters, we were able keep cozy with a combination of wood heat and a propane heater when time was short.
Little by little we upgraded. A solar power system can be planned with the flexibility to add pieces and parts.
The basics are usually:
Solar panels to collect the powerful suns’ rays
An Inverter to convert the Direct Current to AC ( normal household current )
Batteries to store the Energy generated
A back up generator for periods with no sun
Living with a Solar Power System becomes a state of mind. All the nagging by my Dad to “turn off the lights!” fell on deaf ears until you’re generating your own power.
I completely understand which appliances draw the most wattage and never used them at night. To simplify-all appliances that heat stuff- electric heaters, -cooktop, ovens, driers, toaster, Instant pot, Crockpot, electric curlers, blow drier, electric water heaters- all -draw tons of wattage.
They are not compatible with this type of energy.
When the sun goes down, you’re using batteries. Just like a flashlight, it all depends on how big and how many batteries you’ve got.
Our latest off grid system, in our log cabin, is the most sophisticated we've ever had.
We are completely off grid yet I have a regular double- door electric refrigerator, and all the modern conveniences. Mini-splits in every room! Although appliances have become a lot more energy efficient, we still use a propane gas cook stove, water heater and clothes drier, rather than electric. It’s possible to do so much more with the latest technology in panels, inverter and lithium batteries.
Although we’re located right next to a power line, we do not sell back to the power company, because when the power system goes down so do you! A lot of our friends in the community found this out during the ice storm a couple of years ago and suffered the cold for weeks before the lines could be restored.
Having an “off grid” solar system is not for everyone, but with prices of components coming down and appliances becoming more energy efficient every day, it may be an option worth considering.
I remember Texas winters with icy prairie winds straight out of Canada nearly blowing me away! So "mild" but far from California's balmier temperatures! (Smiles) Thanks for walking us through your off-grid life with solar panel life, heart soul that you are!
Many years ago a close friend shared his observation that once you have climbed a mountain, it is easier to climb it again. And I would add, once you have climbed a few mountains, they no longer appear as formidable obstacles but more as opportunities. Thank you for sharing some of your opportunities, Anita. Your solutions help us all think outside the box.