TiFJ
Well-known member
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The Old Man's Farm - Priddis, AB
- Thread starter TiFJ
- Start date
Looks like an awesome place!
My experience is pretty limited with solar, but the "off grid" solar systems I have been around require some pretty large batteries, especially if you are planning on operating power tools like a table saw. Batteries are expensive, and require replacement/maintenance over time. How far are you from a power source? If it were me I would trench in a power supply, I recently did a 250' run for a 200a panel and it cost me around $1300 in material, I did all of the labor myself, the initial cost of solar would take significant time to payoff this difference in price.
Do you plan to keep the building heated all winter, or just as needed? The wood furnace will require attention, and a healthy supply of wood to run it. If you are only using it as needed then the wood burner shouldnt be a problem, however some planning is required as they do take a bit more time to heat up. I keep my shop around ~45F in the wintertime, then heat up as needed when I am out there, NG is the route I went. I also had issues at my last shop getting insurance on a wood stove in my shop, might be worth contacting your insurance agency to check into this.
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but will this be post frame, or a traditional framed building?
My experience is pretty limited with solar, but the "off grid" solar systems I have been around require some pretty large batteries, especially if you are planning on operating power tools like a table saw. Batteries are expensive, and require replacement/maintenance over time. How far are you from a power source? If it were me I would trench in a power supply, I recently did a 250' run for a 200a panel and it cost me around $1300 in material, I did all of the labor myself, the initial cost of solar would take significant time to payoff this difference in price.
Do you plan to keep the building heated all winter, or just as needed? The wood furnace will require attention, and a healthy supply of wood to run it. If you are only using it as needed then the wood burner shouldnt be a problem, however some planning is required as they do take a bit more time to heat up. I keep my shop around ~45F in the wintertime, then heat up as needed when I am out there, NG is the route I went. I also had issues at my last shop getting insurance on a wood stove in my shop, might be worth contacting your insurance agency to check into this.
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but will this be post frame, or a traditional framed building?
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matt_i
Well-known member
As above, tablesaw on solar alone is a non starter unless you have literal megabucks to fund a massive array. Youd be better off with a portable generator that you fire up when you want electricity.
If your parents are older, using wood regularly is not going to be a good idea, and going to get worse every year. As much as we'd all love to remain physically active, cutting, splitting, moving and stacking wood is one of the hardest jobs out there. Personally, I'd rather save my energy for something more productive.
If your parents are older, using wood regularly is not going to be a good idea, and going to get worse every year. As much as we'd all love to remain physically active, cutting, splitting, moving and stacking wood is one of the hardest jobs out there. Personally, I'd rather save my energy for something more productive.
Jess
Well-known member
Nice spread, If I were in that situation and building anything where it wasn't all rock like here, I would trench and place the gas, 3"conduit for electrical, another for water line and a 2" for other future like tel, alarm or LV controls. Your climate will determine what is required for depth on water, and local codes for power depth and separation. Bed them all in sand. backfill and get on with the build. Nobody ever regretted having an extra conduit when they needed it.
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
You have two options:
The first costs $10,000. For this you get a solar system that will be used occasionally. This system will have an estimated 20 year service life and will require periodic maintenance and the storage batteries will require continuing attention and periodic replacement. Situated at a northern latitude it may not be as efficient in winter. There are questions about the system's ability to support high draw power tools.
The second costs $3,000. Properly installed it will never wear out and require virtually no maintenance. Adequate power will be available day or night and through cloudy days and stormy weather.
I think I could find a better use for $7,000. Of course it is your Dad's money and that is easier to spend than your own.
The first costs $10,000. For this you get a solar system that will be used occasionally. This system will have an estimated 20 year service life and will require periodic maintenance and the storage batteries will require continuing attention and periodic replacement. Situated at a northern latitude it may not be as efficient in winter. There are questions about the system's ability to support high draw power tools.
The second costs $3,000. Properly installed it will never wear out and require virtually no maintenance. Adequate power will be available day or night and through cloudy days and stormy weather.
I think I could find a better use for $7,000. Of course it is your Dad's money and that is easier to spend than your own.
FJ 432
Well-known member
First off, beautiful place.
I believe that your first paragraph is where most people will have an issue-that being the warranty, no maintenance and to some degree Alberta's future plans.
More intelligent people will speak to the "costs" of solar but one thing I know for a fact is that nothing man made these days lasts 25 years including warranties.
I think most people want to believe in Solar but for most of us, until they solve the battery issue, believes that it is a long way off.
Nice choice of the FJC.
I believe that your first paragraph is where most people will have an issue-that being the warranty, no maintenance and to some degree Alberta's future plans.
More intelligent people will speak to the "costs" of solar but one thing I know for a fact is that nothing man made these days lasts 25 years including warranties.
I think most people want to believe in Solar but for most of us, until they solve the battery issue, believes that it is a long way off.
Nice choice of the FJC.
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