Solar Electricity         

Photovoltaic modules (Solar panels) and a wind generator convert natural resources into electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries for nighttime use and the batteries are then recharged during the day by the panels and by the wind generator, when the wind is blowing. In 10 years SMC has never paid an electric bill because it has generated 100% of its electricity from the sun.

Almost every regular appliance can run off of solar electricity. Televisions, VCR, stereos, blenders, bread machines, most power tools, microwaves, vacuums, washing machines, and so on. All appliances function as they would in a home hooked up to the utility grid. Because of the tremendous amount of electricity some appliances consume, dryers, baseboard heating and cooking stoves are run with propane gas or wood. The average American household consumes 25,000 watts over a 24 hour period or 25 kilowatt hours of electricity a day! If you check out your electric bill you will be surprised at how much power you consume. Because of passive solar designs and appliance and light efficiency, SMC uses only 4,000 watts per day - and that's for 6,600 sq. ft. of living space!

Solar Electricity | Solar Hot Water | Passive Solar Space Heating
Cordwood Masonry | Plastered Strawbale Construction | Log Furniture Building
Composting Toilet System | Sustainable Living | Reforestation