Solar living, sustainable living, living off the grid...Getting off the grid "...Looking to wean yourself off the grid? The savings -- to you and the planet -- can be astronomical.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Off the Grid in Hawaii

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Ono Organic Farms follows four generations of a family that got its start on Maui by chance
"...farm in Kipahulu, on the southeastern slopes of Haleakala Volcano, is off the power grid. They use propane and solar energy, draw water from a spring, recycle bottles and cans, and make compost from grass clippings, wood chips and manure...."

Reference: www.starbulletin.com

Monday, October 27, 2008

One Block Off the Grid

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One Block Off the Grid
"...1 Block Off the Grid is a nationwide community-based purchasing program for residential Solar energy. We drive large savings by aggregating groups of residents and negotiating discount pricing with installers and manufacturers. Our comprehensive vendor selection process guarantees access to the best vendors and the best terms there are..."
Reference: http://www.1bog.org/

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Solar-powered home ‘off the grid’

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Solar-powered home ‘off the grid’
"...Roger Priddle and his wife own a Tiny Township home that will be a featured stop on this Saturday’s Renewable Energy Tour of “planet-friendly” homes...."
Reference: www.midlandmirror.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Generating Off-Grid Power: The Four Best Ways

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Generating Off-Grid Power: The Four Best Ways
"...no more utility bills and generating all of your own power, but what's involved in that? It isn't as easy as slapping a few solar panels on the roof and calling it good; when it comes to generating off grid power, there are a handful of methods that can combine to generate all the energy you'll need to live comfortably off the grid...."
Reference: www.treehugger.com

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Homeowners turning to turbines for power

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Homeowners turning to turbines for power
"...in some places, people like Sue Wallace are putting smaller turbines on their roofs to generate energy...."
Reference: www.king5.com

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Living Green In Earthships

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Living Green In Earthships
"...The freezer and refrigerator are powered by the sun. Reynolds says the utility bill for the 6,000 square foot, four-bedroom home complete with high-speed Internet would be $100 per year. ..."
Reference: www.cbsnews.com

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Movie: Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa (2007)

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Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa
"...This engrossing documentary examines the unusual and often conflicted lifestyle led by a ragtag collection of teenage runaways, veterans, dreamers and political radicals as they scratch out an existence in the remote New Mexican desert. The residents may share a vision for a new way of life, but filmmakers Randy and Jeremy Stulbert don't shy away from the collective's underside, such as the steps taken to stop a series of robberies on the mesa...."
Reference: www.netflix.com

Monday, October 6, 2008

solar-powered refrigeration system


Cheap, Off-Grid Cooling - A hybrid refrigerator will bring efficient, cheap cooling to India.
"...A startup based in Cambridge, MA, has developed a new solar-powered refrigeration system for food storage in Indian villages that are off the grid. Promethean Power Systems' design is a hybrid of conventional compressor-based refrigeration and thermoelectric materials--semiconductors that convert electricity into cooling and vice versa..."
Reference: www.technologyreview.com

Friday, October 3, 2008

Off the Grid Water...

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Water: a safe supply when you're off the grid
"...Although there are many commercial water purification systems on the market, most are either too large or require more electricity to power than most off-grid solar electric systems can provide. After further analysis, we designed the simplified site built system..."
Reference: www.backwoodshome.com

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Woody Harrelson Chats Up His Off-Grid, Solar-Powered Lifestyle

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"...The UK Times recently caught up with the actor and discussed his love for the all-electric, dicontinued, Toyota RAV 4, his solar-powered community in Hawaii (which Owen Wilson will be moving to shortly), and the inspiration of his wife and children. ..."
Reference: www.ecorazzi.com

Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record At 40.8 Percent

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Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record At 40.8 Percent
"...U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have set a world record in solar cell efficiency with a photovoltaic device that converts 40.8 percent of the light that hits it into electricity. This is the highest confirmed efficiency of any photovoltaic device to date..."
Reference: www.sciencedaily.com