When I lived in Nevada I encountered individuals (aka 'desert rats') from time to time who lived off-the-grid. I've also met some off-gridders in northern California and, of course, there are homesteaders here in Alaska. Here's a sample of what living off-the-grid can be like:
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For some insight into why a person might go off-grid, this article -- How Living Off the Grid Works -- by Charles W. Bryant at HowStuffWorks gives a few reasons:
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There are gentler ways to go off the energy grid than John Wells', such as Elaine Brook's revamping of an older house.
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If you'd like to keep track of developments in the design of solar, eco-friendly homes, there is a world-wide biennial solar decathlon sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Here's a recent video:
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Take a look at this walkthrough of Caltech's entry in 2011:
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Whether it's freedom from the power company or from the social environment you want, you have company.
-- Marge
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For some insight into why a person might go off-grid, this article -- How Living Off the Grid Works -- by Charles W. Bryant at HowStuffWorks gives a few reasons:
Around the same time each month, millions of Americans go to their mailboxes seeking the comforts of a handwritten letter or their favorite magazine only to be greeted by white envelopes with miniature cellophane windows. We're all familiar with these mailers -- power, water, gas and telephone bills, all conspiring to take your hard-earned money. For most people, paying utility bills is a tiresome and frustrating task. What if there was a way to get out from under the thumb of public utilities and produce your own sustainable energy? Well, there is. Going "off-grid" is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people looking to reduce their carbon footprint, assert their independence and avoid reliance on fossil fuels.Some people are most interested in the independence part, particularly freedom from the current social environment, constant reminders of corporate greed, or the frustration of unresponsive government. Off-Grid.net, byline "free yourself," offers a wealth of information. Living off-the-grid is possibly a growing social movement:
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There are gentler ways to go off the energy grid than John Wells', such as Elaine Brook's revamping of an older house.
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If you'd like to keep track of developments in the design of solar, eco-friendly homes, there is a world-wide biennial solar decathlon sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. Here's a recent video:
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Take a look at this walkthrough of Caltech's entry in 2011:
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Whether it's freedom from the power company or from the social environment you want, you have company.
-- Marge
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