Dog of the sun, cat of the wind: a primer disguised as a fable -- Beyond the grid : A new philosophy of freedom: learning to think beyond the grid -- Grid-tied or off-grid?: Should you jump in head first, or just get your feet wet? : Grid-tie systems, with & without batteries; Comparison of systems -- Beginning considerations: building smart to keep the power bill low : Passive solar design for efficiency & comfort ; Non-living spaces ; Solar and wind considerations ; Backup generators ; Evaluating your electrical demands -- Sizing the system: a short, no-tooth-pulling course on practical electricity : Beyond Ohm's law ; 12, 24, 48 volts, or more? ; How much generating capacity? ; How many batteries? -- Solar photovoltaic modules: how to capture a ray of sunshine : Types of solar modules ; Finding a place for the array ; Where is north? ; Tilt angle of the array ; Mounting the modules ; Wiring the array ; Leaving room to grow ; How do solar cells really work? -- Wind turbines: making good use of the stuff of clouds : how much wind is enough? ; Wind turbine basics ; Will wind power work for you? ; Turbines ; Towers ; Turbine comparison chart -- Micro-hydro power: developing a meaningful relationship with gravity : Sizing-up the possibilities ; Components ; Getting down to particulars -- Charge controllers: processing your batteries' diet : Battery charging ; Equalization of batteries ; A charge controller for the wind turbines ; MPPT ; Other uses for charge controllers ; Sizing for the future -- Batteries: care and feeding of the beasts for the job ; Pampering your batteries ; The battery box and keeping your batteries warm ; Wiring the batteries ; Homegrown hydrogen -- Inverters: the last stop on the DC trail : Off-grid & grid-tie inverters ; Inverter functions -- Putting it all together, safely: protecting you and your system from each other, and nature : Grounding & bonding ; Lightning protection ; Solar array, wind turbine & micro-hydro safety ; Charge controllers ; DC disconnect ; Wiring it safely -- Heating of house and water: staying warm without busting the energy bank : Propane wall heaters ; Forced air heat ; Geothermal ; Heating with hot water & solar hot water ; Wood & masonry stoves ; Wood-fired boilers ; Corn & pellet stoves ; Heating domestic hot water -- Pumping water: getting it from the ground to your house, without overtaxing the system : Should you install a cistern? ; Rainwater collection ; Well pumps: AC & DC -- Final thoughts: learning to trust mother nature : Changing with the weather, a metaphor -- Personal power companies: homeowner profiles -- Appendices : A. Checklist of equipment ; Illustration: components of renewable energy ; Power consumption of appliances ; Notes on appliances ; Energy conversion formulas -- B. System sizing : Shopping for a PV system ; Steps to sizing your system ; Our system/hopowerwer consumption ; U.S. wind map ; Your electrical needs worksheet ; Insolation maps (solar radiation) ; Solar array sizing worksheet ; Battery sizing worksheet -- C. Micro-hydro formulas & conversion factors -- D> Electrical formulas & helpful information ; Wire size/loss tables : 12-volt; 24-volt; 48-volt -- E. Resources -- Glossary.
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