Posts by — dhamotharan

Sacred Power Inc. of Albuquerque has got its hands on half a million dollars of stimulus funding for off-grid power.

It has been awarded a USD500,656 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help bring solar- powered electricity into homes on the Navajo Nation currently without electric power. (more…)

We can learn from them The mobile phone industry is big in off-grid power usage.  But not for any ecological reasons.  In fact a close look at the cell companies’ power consumption proves their talk of green is just that – talk.

The wireless network, due to the distribution of its infrastructure, is an ideal candidate to test out new ideas in decentralized power. But for the most part, cellular services  turn to alternative energy solutions where there is no access, or unreliable access, to grid power.   And they avoid building towers in isolated areas because its not cost-effective, although that is precisely where their consumers most need them. (more…)

Katsuhiko Machida (right) At a trade show in Yokohama in May, Sharp Corp.’s booth was swarmed by visitors from African countries, including embassy officials and businesspeople, who wanted to know when the company was going to launch its new solar power system and at what price.

The system, which combines solar cells and storage batteries to generate electricity had some innovative features.

The consumer electronics maker aims to sell the system for less than one-tenth the 2-3 million yen ($18,100-27,200) charged for comparable home-use systems currently available in Japan, by designing it to supply power only for lighting equipment, radios and electric fans – items it regards as the most basic necessities for off-grid users. (more…)

Its lonely in Northern Canada

Thanks to guest writer Tenzicut from Down to the Roots magazine for penning this off-grid diary:
I looked out the window this morning and saw the cattle at the fence waiting for their meal. I had not yet had my own. Before the cows started pushing on the fence, I got into the thick wool sweater from the second hand store, wool army pants I have had for the last 15 years, a heavy winter coat, a touque and my fur hat. Last to go on were the (more…)

One man & his turbine

A Welsh family have had their dreams of living off wind power blown away by a ruling from the National Parks Authority which refused to allow Bob and Daisy Robarts a small wind turbine at their Crosswell home.

“How to Get Planning Permission” – buy it from Amazon UK

The Robarts highlights our campaign to change planning laws in the UK and speed the introduction of green energy can be introduced.

The three metre turbine and 11 metre high mast in a nearby field would provide all the electricity needed for their home and office. Despite letters of support from (more…)