Getting started with getting off the grid cannot be easily summarized. Such an undertaking would require much planning and coordination prior to implementation. However I will attempt an adequate walkthrough of achieving such a goal. Three stages are required when getting off the grid; Planning, Implementation and maintenance. Of course you can get off the grid, but can you stay off the grid.
Planning to go off the grid can take some time, however it is not impossible and such a daunting task should not dissuade you from your goals. First you must pinpoint your reasons for going off the grid. Such a thing takes sacrifice and discipline. Taking on this task will require compromise at first and does not happen overnight. Some would say "truly going off the grid is full independence of food, energy, water and every aspect of modern life.". I however believe this is wrong. One can still partake in the modern commodities and comforts of life, while remaining "off the grid". Planning to do so would incorporate an appropriate planting season for enough crops to survive for a year and three months. This will require mapping of moon cycles, to coincide with planting of certain crops and the stockpiling of organic waste for compost/fertilizer. Your energy independence can be won through many means. Being close to any fast running river and one can construct a hydroelectric generator from youtube videos. Wind turbines and PV solar panel installation can also be easily found via the same media medium.
Implementation of any plans made in the previous step should be conducted by or under the supervision of an expert or someone with expert level experience. Organic farming and animal raising is not an easy task. Taking months to see returns and crop failures can dissuade even the most enthusiastic of "greeners". There are some simple ways of combatting several crop complications and easy and free food sources for animals. For instance predatory insects such as wasps, lady bugs and several beetles can keep your produce pest free. Nematodes, a microscopic worm, is capable of curing many bacterial diseases of fruits and produce. Even innocuous materials such as wood ash, crushed sea shells, fish bones and sulfur can be used as fertilizers, ph balancers and botanical illness cures. Food for animals should always be natural. No grain pellet feeds can truly replace an all grass or natural seed diet. This is most easily accomplished by allowing animals to freely roam and eat as they please. For fish farming, "duck weed" is an excellent source of freely grown and harvestable food. A list of such materials is easily found on the internet. Energy independence, is much harder to implement and much more dangerous. This is the aspect of going off the grid that most people either skip or think is far too expensive, to attempt. However there are several DIY options available to the average citizen. Such an option would include an investment in some magnets, some used or broken washing machine motors, some batteries and an electrician. With these few ingredients you can create a wind turbine array or a water wheel (if you live near a river). Pv Panels are much more expensive to buy, but are not expensive to set up if you have the help of an electrician.
Maintenance is key when going off the grid. If your PV system or wind turbine array goes out you must be able to fix them as soon as possible. Not fixing your energy source may result in the spoiling of your food, the loss of water pressure or even a potential injury. When adding new systems to your household, you must make a habit of learning everything you can about these systems. True independence comes when you rely on nobody for your needs. The only way to accomplish this is to be able to maintain and repair any power generation systems, power distribution systems, water pumping and distribution and any maintenance or farming equipment. Some would say the essentials for modern life include food, water, shelter and electricity. Some would put those priorities in a different order. Having a working knowledge of fixing anything attributed to these essentials should be of the top priority. |
Getting off the grid is no easy task, but hopefully one that I have made a little easier. Following these steps would lead your to an off the grid lifestyle, as well as maintain that lifestyle. Planning may be one of the most important stages to getting off the grid, but maintenance is most important when staying off the grid. If the beginning is difficult, sleep worry free, knowing that the end will be worth the crescendo. Don't allow mistakes and minor failures to deter you from your goal. Learn from those mistakes and failures and continue on your path to off the grid living.