Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Off-the-GridMobile

Mobile Packaged Sustainability
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The OGM is a trailer designed to take much of the hassle and risk out of making alternative energy upgrades to your current home. The basic OGM is a trailer with solar cells batteries and an inverter mounted in a single insulated weather tight unit. To install the unit all the homeowner needs to do it call their power company and have one of the newer two way meters installed with a power feed service (may be free or near free with rebates) the unit is then towed, jacked and grounded at the optimum location on the property and a pigtail run to the service connection. Depending on the location this basic unit will allow the user either entire independence from the grid for basic power consumption using natural gas for heating or basic independence from the grid with 220v provided by the utility (range and drier). The units would be wired in such a way to allow multiple units to power houses requiring high output (shutting down inverters when not needed but feeding DC between the units)

For windy areas a trailer mounted turbine could stand alone or supplement a solar unit.

But why a mobile unit(?) you may ask.

1) Home owners are excited about the benefits of alternative energy but not the risks of investing in a home that they do not own, or may wish to sell.

2) Battery solar systems are bulky and somewhat dangerous.

3) Installation costs are significant even when rebates are available.

4) Resale value rarely compensates investment in stand alone systems.

5) Such a system could be sold on terms or leased thus avoiding the initial investment hurdle.

6) Users could "try before they buy"

7) Battery array can be of an industrial design without impairing serviceability.

8) Unit maintenance and repair needs could be externally monitored and service and upkeep contracts could be made without the need for personnel to enter the home. The end user could treat the unit as a black box (much like new cars). A professional would be called out, by the unit, for needed repairs. End users could receive a computerized status for the unit showing potential power output and their energy consumption pattern with advice for more economical operation.

WcW, Sep 08 2009

An example, not widely known to exist http://www.solartrailer.com/
I happened across it, thought it deserved some sexing up. [WcW, Sep 08 2009]

[link]






       Good one, +
afinehowdoyoudo, Sep 08 2009
  
      
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