Off grid new build

[Rascal]

We have PP for a new house, trouble is we have been quoted 56k to get electric to the site! So are thinking of going off grid.
We have a big heifer shed in the same field with a south facing roof and we are in quite a windy spot. Do not think generation is the problem but storage for dull windless days is. Obviously the new house will be well insulated and we will have oil fired under floor heating, an Aga and lounge wood burner! Over kill I know but hate getting cold and of course will only use what is required. This means not many pumps for air or ground source heating which would help.
We are looking for good ideas,advice and really recommendations of a company who would be able to sort something like this out.

 

[br jones]

Got any running water ?

 

[Grass And Grain]

CHP plant?

 

[Puff]

You can get 8kw off-grid system for about £5k, batteries are £1k per 100ah about. Wind turbine another £2k maybe and then GSHP £12k. £25k and you'd have the complete solution, be envirofriendly and able to get RHI to pay some of it back.
IMHO

 

[rogeriko]

You will never be able to run a heatpump on an off grid system. When you need heat the most there is no solar power. Oil boiler for heating or log batch boiler with a large storage tank. (thermal store)

 

[Bury the Trash]

Batteries

Windy?

Back up Generator.


Got a lot going for it, relative freedom.....

 

[Puff]

You will never be able to run a heatpump on an off grid system. When you need heat the most there is no solar power. Oil boiler for heating or log batch boiler with a large storage tank. (thermal store)

That's what the batteries are for plus add a wind generator. Insulated enough and the power demand will be low. There's always a way.

 

[Bury the Trash]

You can get 8kw off-grid system for about £5k, batteries are £1k per 100ah about. Wind turbine another £2k maybe and then GSHP £12k. £25k and you'd have the complete solution, be envirofriendly and able to get RHI to pay some of it back.
IMHO

Where can you get an 8kw system for 5 puff? Ebay perhaps?

 

[Rascal]

Sorry no real running water. Small brook, no head on it at all and would not be able to engineer a head. Dried up last two summers.


Thanks.
Rascal

 

[carpenter1]

I am interested how you get on, as I may need to go the same way.

 

[scotston]

Do you own a farm but the house is far from the main buildings which have the grid connection? If you're not too far from your own Low Voltage grid, you could build your own? Or connect to somone elses with a meter.

 

[Exfarmer]

I think to be honest, if you were going truly off grid a small CHP plant would be the most reliable back up in the depths of a bad winter. No matter how big a battery you have , it is going to struggle in a prolonged period of high pressure in the middle of winter. These conditions which can combine overcast still days are the killer of off grid systems

 

[Poncherello1976]

Might be worth speaking to these people. I spoke to them at the Farm Business and Innovation show in November.
www.hybridpower.co.uk
Their systems have a battery and a back up generator, while connected to a solar/wind/water system.

 

[Rascal]

Exfarmer. I completely agree with you about winter conditions.

Poncherello 1976 That is the sort of thing we are thinking about

 

[f0ster]

for an off grid system you will need a backup genny, it might not be required too often but it will be required at some point, there are inverters that can close a contact to start a genny when excess power is demanded from the renewables you might have installed.

 

[pauld]

As well as insulation look at the design of windows and aspect to maximise solar gain and natural lighting in order to reduce electric demand.

 

[oil barron]

If you are off grid what happens to all the extra power generated by turbine / solar that you don’t use.

are there any super cheep off grid solutions for low frequency use at a shed?

 

[TripleSix]

If the house is built and insulated correctly it'll need very little heat to keep it warm.

Simplicity is to have a wood stove with a built in boiler for heating and a thermal store to provide heat for mornings.

But this requires chopping logs building fires etc

Or you have a normal setup with an oil boiler, solar and a turbine.
Put money into storage of electricity.

I'd still have a small diesel Genny ready to go,

 

[Rascal]

We will definatley have a generator back up.

 

[Puff]

Where can you get an 8kw system for 5 puff? Ebay perhaps?

Indeed. It'd be supplied not fitted. Not sure of the OPs level of input into his build and likewise sure there'll be any number of people looking to charge £10k for supply & fit of the same kit.

Its what I'm looking at to bring solar to my property.