When you live off the grid, you need to get creative when it comes to producing electricity and other clean energy. Living off the grid allows you to enjoy a more sustainable, eco-friendly, and tranquil life. If this is new to you, keep reading to learn about the three different ways you can generate power for your home.
Wind Energy
Wind energy comes from moving air through a turbine, which produces electricity by spinning the components of an internal generator. Installing this mechanism near your home costs on the lower end of the spectrum, but you must be living in an area that receives high winds. Lack of air movement or inconsistent wind directions will make this energy source impractical.
Ensure that you live in an open space with a decent amount of wind. Check the average speed in your local area to determine if you could benefit from wind-powered electricity.
Solar Energy
There are a lot of pros and cons of solar energy, but it is the most practical way to convert energy. This is because you simply place panels in direct sunlight and watch as they convert the sun to electricity for your home. While solar needs fewer elements to convert energy, it could cost a bit more, and you might not see a return on investment right away. In addition, you will need an area around your yard or on top of your house that gets a lot of sunlight. If you do not see a lot of sunlight or your area is primarily cloudy, solar panels might not be your best option.
Micro-Hydro Energy
The last way to get electricity when you live off the grid is through water movement. For micro-hydro energy, a turbine is placed near a natural, running body of water that uses motion to generate energy. Hydro energy poses the most financial payoff, but you need a body of water in your area that is constantly moving, or this source of electricity will not work.
You may need to make an investment at first, but over time, these sources of creating energy will pay off. Take into consideration the elements that are available to you in your off-grid home.