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llanitedave
super member
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 473
Location: Amargosa Valley, NV
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 Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Wind Power |
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We have a lifetime's worth of plans and projects for our Amargosa Valley place. One future goal is to become as energy-self-sufficient as possible. We've been just browsing and dreaming so far, but for anyone interested in getting set up with your own wind generators, http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.html has a wealth of great ideas!
Last edited by llanitedave on Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Erik
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3089
Location: Big Island of Hawaii On the slope of Mauna Loa 4500 feet mag 7 sky :)
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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That's an informational site, Dave!
We would have considered wind power, but it's not windy enough where our place is in Hawaii to take advantage of it. So solar is our best option, and being so close to the equator, it's a good one. It's also sunny most days, so it's the most efficient alternative power for us.
About 20 minutes from us, at South Point, it's extremely windy. The trees grow sideways from the constant wind. There are some old, large windmills in that area that help power the grid. If we'd bought a place there, we'd definitely consider wind power as a more viable option.  |
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Gary
super member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 113
Location: USA Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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I drafted a lengthy post for this section, but the site logged me out before I could finish the thing and it disappeared - 
Basically, I was reporting that I'd done extensive research on off-grid power and heat generation a couple of years ago, but haven't been able to solve the potable water problem for the high desert sites I've been considering. I installed a couple of basic catchment systems in Louisiana salt water marsh locations years ago, but those had the luxury of a minimum of 60+ inches of rain per year. I need to figure out whether I can capture enough fresh water to provide for basic needs in a climate that produces at best 1/4 of that precipitation.
Yes, Erik. Hawaii looks better and better. Is there anything available at 6,000+ feet? |
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Erik
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3089
Location: Big Island of Hawaii On the slope of Mauna Loa 4500 feet mag 7 sky :)
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| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry about your post, Gary. I need to figure out how to override the 5 minute logout default. I've had it happen to me as well, and hitting "Back" on my computer until I can copy the post usually retrieves it.
Above 6000 feet elevation will be tough. I know there's nothing available at that elevation on the southern part of the island- 5000 is about the max on Mauna Loa, but it's available and inexpensive. The weather and sky also are perfect for astronomy. So above 6000, the property would probably have to be up near Waimea, on the slopes of Mauna Kea, off Saddle Road, etc. That would probably be very expensive land- it's hard to get anything near Waimea for under $400,000.
_________________
-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous |
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Gary
super member
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 113
Location: USA Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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I think I'll just start composing replies in Word and will cut & paste from there - it happened again.
What I was saying is that below 5,000 is probably better for a number of reasons. One of my reasons for looking at high desert locations is that, after the better part of a lifetime of living at or below sea level in the heat and humidity of the Deep South, I'm looking forward to retreating to a spot with more modest, dryer highs. I really don't like sweating into an eyepiece.
Your place is at app. 4,500"? What are the typical highs there? |
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Erik
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3089
Location: Big Island of Hawaii On the slope of Mauna Loa 4500 feet mag 7 sky :)
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| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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Usually around 77 degrees every day, and in the 50's at night. In the winter, it occasionally gets into the 40's. BRRR! 
Typically, the weather is clear almost every night, and rainfall is only about 40" per year, which is usually in hard spurts. It does cloud up quite often in the early afternoons, but clears up before dark.
_________________
-Erik Wilcox
Homebuilt 16" Truss Dob
SV 80mm ED Nighthawk NG on M1 ALT/AZ
Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotter on Trekpod
Konusvue 20x80 binos/Peterson pipemount
Orion 10x50 binos
Homebuilt 80mm f/5 refractor
Mirador 60mm f/12 1960's refractor
Evolution is both fact and theory. Creationism is neither. -Anonymous |
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llanitedave
super member
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 473
Location: Amargosa Valley, NV
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Gary wrote: |
Basically, I was reporting that I'd done extensive research on off-grid power and heat generation a couple of years ago, but haven't been able to solve the potable water problem for the high desert sites I've been considering. I installed a couple of basic catchment systems in Louisiana salt water marsh locations years ago, but those had the luxury of a minimum of 60+ inches of rain per year. I need to figure out whether I can capture enough fresh water to provide for basic needs in a climate that produces at best 1/4 of that precipitation.
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At best? Try 3.5-4" per year! The earlier natives of the southwest "solved" that problem by only farming on the shores of permanent streams, or at the very least by damming the larger washes and using any spring runnoff as their catchment. Those in the upland regions simply didn't live anywhere permanently. They divided their time seasonally between the mountains and the valleys, and knew where the reliable springs were. And of course, they were devastated by the "Little Ice Age".
We major energy users will have to be able to either transport water from remote sites or pump it from deep wells.
Our local water level is at about 170'. Our well goes down to about 230'. It's a very good producer, but it's not ever going to be mistaken for an energy saver.
If we can ever get enough wind and solar power to run our well pump, then I'll know we've "arrived"! |
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