Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Alternative Energy Feel the power! www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

What we will be talking about Solar – electric Solar – direct Wind – Electric Wind – other Water Biomass What we will be talking about www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Reduce your carbon footprint Take back the ability to produce your own energy Learn stuff Get an appreciation for the energy you consume Make yourself and family more resilient It’s interesting and fun Save money (Maybe) Why bother? www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Solar Electricity Production Photovoltaics – produce DC when light falls on them (light not heat) Generally wired for 12 or 24 volts High technology 20% efficient at best Performance degrades 0.5%/year Use output direct or through and inverter Static or tracker Daytime only Solar Electricity Production www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Back to the Grid via inverter Direct into batteries 12 volt; 6 volt; 2 volt Power lights, appliances, almost anything DC or through inverter for AC House supply is AC; 240v; 50 hz Car supply is DC; 12v DC – you can wire yourself, safe What to do with it! www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Using the suns’ heat directly Active or passive Heat water (evacuated tube; flat panel; garden hose) Cook food (oven; parabolic reflector; flat reflector) Dry produce (direct; indirect) Heat air (sun lizard) Passive solar Using the suns’ heat directly www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Wind generators – becoming smaller & cheaper Can be home made 12 volt – 32 volt Need to be mounted high up (council) Turbulence a problem 24 hour production Engineered mounting Usually horizontal shaft Wind Power - Electric www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Pump water Grind flour Compress air Similar problems to electricity production Can be vertical shaft Sacrifice speed for torque Wind others www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Direct to grind grain – overshot undershot wheel Turbine for electricity production Pelton wheel can be home made Fitted to water pipes Water www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs Plant material, vegetation Twigs Logs Straw Dried bean plants Faggots Converted by Pyrolysis Fermentation Specific type of heater/cookers Cob oven Rocket stove Slow combustion Biomass www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Sustainable Living in the Suburbs www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

For more details check our website www.underthechokotree.com Sustainable Living in the Suburbs For more details check our website