We Make The Pieces Fit 
 On or Off Grid ~ Outside the Envelope

There's an envelope? Welcome to Off The Grid Energy Solutions, your home for alternative energy planning.  On or Off Grid, we can help you design a system to save you money, as well as help improve the environment. We are strictly a design firm, we do not sell hardware. This puts us in a unique position to advise customers on exactly what they want and need, not what we are trying to sell. Unscrupulous companies do exist, especially in an emerging field such as alternative energy. We help insure customer satisfaction with the end result.


 Solutions are important, but at Off The Grid, the most critical exercise is to ask the right questions. Only then can the most effective solutions be identified.

 The objective of any business is to make a profit. Today it seems that the standard business model is to make an obscene profit. One way to achieve this is through “planned obsolescence”, the need for product replacement at regular intervals. Regular repeat sales and a continuing customer base are the goals.
 
 At Off The Grid, we hope you will be our customer as few times as possible. If we work with you to design and commission a system, we hope that system will supply your needs trouble-free for many years to come. Upgrades and expansion are the exceptions to this philosophy. 


 As examples, the Wizard brand lawn tractor we currently use is 29 years old and still works very well. Our Sears Craftsman cordless tools are over 15 years old, and we will use them until we can no longer obtain batteries for them.

 Our goal is to identify solutions that will exceed your expectations, and continue to do so for many years of service, with as few problems as possible. If we do business with a customer one time, and that customer remains satisfied, we have accomplished our objective.

 Our most important goal is to supply true and accurate information. This must be done to further the “green” philosophy. What we do not need are unhappy customers whose systems fail to meet expectations. 

 If you do decide to join the “green movement” and install an alternative energy system, and you choose a company other than ours that is honest, knowledgeable, and puts your interests first, that is the next best thing. We are similar to Harry Houdini, in that we love to expose frauds and incompetence. 


You do not have to have the perfect site to develop an alternative energy plan. Using solar power, our location is less than ideal. It is heavily wooded, has a true northern exposure, and is highly successful. You can alter your lifestyle as little or as much as you want, but you will considerably alter either the amount of money you spend or your desired outcome.  We can discuss your lifestyle, the end-result you wish to achieve, the budget you have to work with, and engineer a plan just for your home, business, or entire existence. 

The road to energy independence is very complicated. There are countless considerations. The first being how you currently live. Are you the type to flip the switch without ever thinking? The vast majority fall into this category. Electricity is there, most of the time, and it's cheap. But, this will not always be the case. Please inform us if your electricity rate has ever decreased more than a few cents! All citizens presently do not pay the true cost of electrical power. One utility has coal ash spills in at least two states that are yet to be paid for. All public utilities have costs that have not yet been fully passed on to ratepayers. What is being done with nuclear waste? Some politicians have the audacity to refer to nuclear power as safe, or clean. This is a vulgar statement. No one has yet developed a practical or cost effective solution to this problem. Where have the residents of Chernoble gone to wait out the half- life of that accident?

This is another very important fact to consider. In our area, there is only one industry that spends huge sums to advertise against the use of the product they sell. These ads advocate electricity conservation measures, which we agree with. But why would they do this? There is only one logical explanation, that the infrastructure to support the electric grid is operating at, or near, capacity. They do not like individual power generation because that diminishes their sales figures. Also, in our area, it is illegal for anyone but this utility to sell power. That's fine with us. We do not want to sell power, but we do not want to purchase it, either. We believe this concept is key to a sustainable future. 

When I discuss renewable energy with most people, the first thing they mention is wind energy. Few sites have a cost effective wind resource present. Along those lines, micro-hydro (water) generation sounds even better, a 24 / 7 power source for those with running water on their property. Both of these approaches have a major drawback. They must be shut down periodically for maintenance and repairs. Moving parts need attention, and eventually wear out. Solar has no moving parts, and requires very little maintenance. In nine years of use, our entire solar power system has had 0 problems. Our electricity has not went out, ever, yet. That is an unbeatable track record. At some future point, the system will need repairs. I will report when that happens. Also, the cost has not increased over nine years! Wind can fill a niche, by being a nice supplement to solar generation. Usually, when the weather is stormy and the sky overcast, the wind is blowing. During these times, a small wind generator will fill the gap beautifully. We do advocate solar as the backbone of the system, and sunshine is currently abundant, free, and non-taxable!

We would be remiss if we did not mention, at this point, the role of politics in all this. We have never been political, in any way, but have had to deal with certain ramifications of what we are doing. Once one begins to do something unconventional, political forces' way of life is threatened. We are sorry for that, but if we can't afford a $200 + energy bill every month, then our way of life is threatened! Guess who is going to be disappointed? If you don't have a problem with us, we will not have a problem. The very bottom line is, we have to live. And if we find a better, less expensive way to do so, and anyone doesn't like that, tough!

In our series, Living Offgrid Affordably, we will explain truthfully some of the issues we have encountered along the way. You, the reader, can decide for yourself who is reasonable, and who is not. We have strenuously tried to avoid the political aspects of this journey, but that is impossible. Hopefully, this climate will improve over time. The sad fact is, anyone that travels our road will have to deal with this, to some degree. Please do not be discouraged. Living offgrid can be done successfully!

We would like to convey one more thought. Everyone is attempting to sell something. It is true that we are a business, but it is also true that we will not be disappointed if we do not have even one more customer. If we can do this, anyone can, and that is what we promote. We would love to see everyone take control of their personal energy situation. (Please see the "case studies" page.) This single event will lead to true sustainability!

Learn more at:  Natural Power & Light        Visit us at:  Mother Earth News, & Facebook

Contact us today!
                  

Question: I want to begin installing a solar system. Can you give me an idea of the lowest price for a starter system that's expandable?

Answer: This seems like a simple question, but the answer is very complex. There are numerous considerations and decisions involved, but the bottom line is that all systems are expandable!
   The first point to establish is whether this system will be grid-tied or stand-alone (off-grid). Each option has pro's and con's. Some of the advantages of a grid-tied system are: It does not require a battery back-up, therefore can be less expensive, the grid functions as a back-up; it does not require lifestyle changes, and it utilizes all available generation capacity (all electricity generated goes into the grid). It is also a "plug & play" approach, to a great extent. It does not require lots of attention or user input, as long as you don't mind paying the bill. Disadvantages? The only obvious one can be the type of arrangement that the power provider offers. A "net-metering" contract gives you all the benefits of what you generate (your meter slows or spins backward, depending on how much the system is generating at the time), while a "feed-in-tariff" contract (pays a premium over the retail price you pay) can rob you of insulation against future rate increases, depending on the terms of the contract. A "tariff" contract can instantly destroy the pay-back time period, and return on investment (ROI), contingent on it's terms. Consequently, this type of contract must be scrutinized very carefully. 

   There are huge pluses to going off-grid. Never having to pay an electric bill is a wonderful, freeing concept. Not being susceptible to the utility director's desire to buy a new Jag or summer home, and raise your rates to pay for them, is real nice, too! Your power hardly ever going out takes some getting used to. These days, with climate change and it's consequences, not worrying about a power outage during a storm (thunder or snow) is quite comforting. The disadvantages are the higher initial, and continuing, cost of the system, due to the need for a battery bank and it's periodic replacement. Autonomy costs money! The biggest con is that if one lives normally, and wishes to continue to do so, a very large and expensive system must be utilized. For an off-grid system to be cost effective, one must first not waste power, then use what is needed very wisely. Conservation measures, combined with the use of highly efficient appliances and loads, must be incorporated. In a small stand alone system, there will be times when usage must be scaled-back. Even though the addition of a small wind generator will supplement the system at these times, they can not be completely avoided. To us, scaling back usage periodically is a lot more attractive than having service disconnected by stormy weather or nonpayment.

   Living offgrid looks very attractive to everyone, and it is. It is NOT easy, unless you have a large budget. Few people realize just how much energy they consume, and waste. If you attempt to go offgrid, you will become acutely aware of this, and you will pay attention to how much power every single device uses. A good example of this is when I was in high school, my friend and I had a contest to see who could get a week's worth of geometry homework on the smallest amount of paper (I won with half of the front of the sheet!). Lacking an unlimited budget, one must be that obsessive about the entire exercise, for it to be successful.


   So you see, the very first answer is highly complicated. This entire process encompasses a myriad of correct decisions to have a hope of being successful. All the right questions must be asked, then answered. One simply can not call a company, purchase a system, have it installed, and be completely pleased. That's where we come in! We do not make outlandish claims or try to "blow smoke". Through brutally honest consultation, we inform of the realities of the situation. The more the customer knows about what they are getting into, the better the odds of satisfaction when the system is commissioned.
  
  One does not need to worry about whether a salesman is truly concerned with the customer's continuing satisfaction with the system. That is why we do not sell systems. We purely advise the client as to what may be best suited for their particular situation, and accompany them through the entire journey. When you decide to begin, please contact us.

If you have a question about alternative energy, send it to us via the contact page. If we don't know the answer, we'll find it, or someone that has it!                                                                                            

                                                    Current Project
   We are presently in the planning and design stage of a monumental undertaking, the "Eagle" project. The Eagle, named after the Apollo 11 lunar module, will be a seven hundred twenty square foot, one bedroom/one bath chalet style vacation rental cabin, very similar to our residence. Located 50 miles from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, Tn., the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and 75 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway, this cabin will be completely self-sufficient.
   The Eagle will incorporate solar and small wind electricity generation, solar water heating, geothermal space heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting system with deep well backup, composting toilet, and supplemental wood heat. 
   The Eagle will include in the experience an electric vehicle, with charging facilities, capable of transport to the Great Smoky Mountains park. We will partner with a business in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, or Gatlinburg to install a charging station there, as well. 
   Two features of the Eagle project are that all materials, products, and furnishings used will be made in the U.S.A., and no illegal alien labor will be allowed on-site. Eighty percent of the lumber to be used has already been harvested from the site.
   This endeavor is our attempt to get anyone firsthand experience with the technology that will save everyone money. Lots of people have thought about and discussed using this approach, but question whether it will work. This project will prove, beyond any doubt, that it is highly successful, and hopefully inspire some folks.
    I will publish a series of articles chronicling the Eagle journey from beginning to end. If you wish to discuss a stay in the Eagle, or investing in the project, please let us know! 


     Please assist us, we need your help! We are trying to gauge interest in a vacation island cabin. It will be a two bedroom, alternative energy powered, accessible by boat only (with ferry and secure parking, your boat welcome also), very private piece of tranquility just 30 minutes from Gatlinburg Tn. and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It will be situated on a private island peninsula on a local lake known for it's great fishing opportunities. If you would be interested in this experience, please let us know using the "contact us" tab. "If we think they will come, we will build it!" Thank you so very much, in advance, for your feedback!!
     

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   Have comments, questions, or just want to update us on your project? Let us know via the contact us page.

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