I thought that I was all alone! Didn’t realize that there were others around with those funny looking blue panel thingies on their roofs except me..

I am in the Northern part of Tuscarawas County living “The Life” as an OffGridKindaGuy and have been for the last 10 years. I collect rain water for most of my everyday needs except drinking and cooking. (I get that from the little machine up the road for a quarter a gallon)

I’m at the very low end of the spectrum as for system size. I survive with 512 watts of Unisolar 64’s (8) that provides me with plenty of energy to supply my meager needs.

My whole system is designed to operate on 12 volts D.C. direct from my battery. (4-6 volt golf cart batteries connected in series/parallel) I have very few A.C. loads but I can operate them via small inverters when needed. I built all of my lighting fixtures which are fluorescent and L.E.D hybrids. I use some cold cathode fluorescents here and there and they are fantastic! (same technology as back lighting of LCD’s)  Lots of light for little current.

Enough of tootin’ my own horn. Just wanted to let ya’ll know that I’m around. Maybe when I get this place done I’ll have an open house.

If it’s ok, I have a web site. Enjoy!

http://www.12vman.com

Tour a solar electric home at the Jim Schafrath residence, email tuscsustainability@gmail.com for address. The residence is located between State Route 39 and State Route 212, just off Tabor Ridge Road.  The 2.4 KW solar electric system consists of twenty 120-watt photovoltaic panels, sixteen 120-pound batteries, and a 5,500 watt DC to AC inverter.  The system provides supplemental and backup electrical power and is also interconnected with the Carroll Electric Cooperative. 

RSVP below

Make your own Rainbarrel! With Dave Acker. 

Starts at 1 and goes til….

Bring an afternoon snack to share.

RSVP below before April 3rd…

Feb. 12th, 28th; 12:30-4:00 pm.

Hosted by Wayne County Sustainability Energy Network (www.wcsen.org)