The owner of this home and business has been working with renewable energy for more than a decade, and decided to go on his own in 2002, when he registered his business. He incorporated in 2009.
The choice to live off-grid was natural given the background of the owner. They built their home in 2001 and installed 750 W of solar PV in order to meet all of their electricity needs (lighting, appliances, instant hot water, etc.). This system meets all of their electricity needs, except for during the darkest months (Dec. to Jan.), when they use a diesel generator as a backup. They have a wood boiler to provide space heating (via in-floor radiant heating) and water heating (to preheat the water for the instant hot water system). They also use propane for cooking.
The owner has recently started building an office to provide space for storage and to act as a store front. The office has insulated concrete for the foundation, as well as straw bale walls for extra insulation. The office is also off-grid, being powered by 3 kW of solar PV. It is expected that the office will be finished by the summer of 2010.
