batteries

We Rednecks are an independent bunch. We like to do it ourselves and owe it to nobody, and this holds true when we start using solar and wind energy. So it’s not surprising that for many of us, the idea of living off the grid is attractive. But before you invest in enough batteries to light up your homestead like a Wal-Mart parking lot, it pays to stop and reason out exactly what your needs and priorities are. The most common reason to be off grid is location. If you’re way out in the boonies, you may not have a choice. Here are some other things to consider:

Efficiency – When your batteries are full, they’re full. No matter how hard the wind blows or the sun shines, you can’t harvest anything more. A grid connection allows you to harvest all the power from your system. When you have extra, you sell it to the grid so someone else can use it. When sun or wind is scarce, you tap in and buy some back.

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