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Watlington, UK

Calling all off-grid growers out there! OK I have some new land with no facilities ie no water nor electricity.

I can harvest water ok that's not a problem, but I am in two minds as to whether to connect to the electricity mains or use solar power which will charge a set of batteries.

The reasons for electricity is for fans & pumps, but also for heating, but my understanding is that solar won't be powerful enough to provide that. Unless someone can tell me otherwise?

4/17/2022 6:09:05 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Solar would work however you would need a huge battery which would probably cost around $10000 or more for the setup...not really worth it. I've built myself a huge solar system but mine requires an electricity main. So I would say an electricity main is your best bet.

4/17/2022 11:24:29 PM

Springfield, VT

Electric heating would be a problem without a large system. Fans are not a problem and a small load, small pumps are ok since you will use them for a short time.

Now the big question how many hours a day of full sun. Cloudy weather really kills power production and usable power.

4/18/2022 8:37:06 AM

Grittyville, WA

Talking pumpkin patch here, or a cabin?

I figure I'll be getting 500 watts of heat from my two barrels of grass clippings. Which are at either end of my pumpkin hoophouse. Provides C02 also. Propane would do the same thing. Surely a propane tank of the correct size would cost less than 10,000. Whether the propane might cost less than the devaluation of the batteries IDK.

4/18/2022 10:09:51 AM

Syracuse, NY

if u can make heads nor tails from all this, too, lol:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=716374

4/18/2022 1:33:49 PM

Watlington, UK

Pumpkin patch

Yes I thought as much, the cost of batteries for heating plus all the extra hassle that goes with it is more than it's worth. I reckon I will go with mains. If it wasn't for that then pump + fans would work just fine.

4/18/2022 3:06:15 PM

Midway, UT

Consider a hybrid solution: https://www.primuswindpower.com/solarwind-solution/

4/18/2022 7:29:39 PM