Large Family Retreat with Wind and Solar Power
This well-made mountain cabin sits in isolated beauty, miles from any power line. It is powered by two alternative energy sources: solar and wind. The word "cabin" is a bit simplistic for this 3,000-square-foot structure most of us would be delighted to call home. This off-grid cabin features every comfort of home. It features a state-of-the-art low-power radiant-floor heating system, that uses less than 60 watts of power when operating.
No power lines in sight -- yet it looks like a normal home. None of the energy sources can be seen from the house. A grove of trees blocks the view of the solar panel array, as well as the windmill. The house is powered by 1,440 watts of solar panels; it's also supported by an Air 403 wind generator. It's a 48-volt system that puts its power in eight Surrette 12-volt batteries. During times of heavy usage and little sun and wind, the Trace SW5548 will automatically start the propane-fueled Makita generator, without the occupants even noticing
Beautiful Beautiful autumn foliage in Utah's Cache County, This picture was taken in September 2000. The family moved into the home in early 2001.
A 10-foot wide closet houses the entire power and heating system. The batteries are located on the other side of the outside wall just a few feet away, tucked underneath the deck in an insulated box. The boiler is a 130,000 Btu Voyager, 95 percent efficient. The boiler also supplies all the potable hot water for the home. If the owner decides in the future to add solar-hot-water panels, this system would easily accommodate that.
The Air 403 wind generator that supplies much of the cabin's winter time electricity.
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