How do I Get Off the Power Grid in Scott County, Virginia?

Get off the power grid with renewable energy solutions

• 1

  Identify your energy source. If you are going to get energy from a source other than the power grid, investigate your options, which may include solar cells, hydropower, or wind turbines. You may be eligible for an EnergyStar federal tax credit to help pay for the cost of alternative energy technologies, including the purchase of the technologies and their installation costs.

• 2

  Learn about local building codes and requirements for your particular energy source. For example, you may be able to install a wind turbine on a qualifying farm, but you may not be able to install a wind turbine if you live in a neighborhood and have limited land. Also, there may be specific permits you need in order to build, install, or operate certain energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels.

• 3

  Install your alternative energy source. Be sure to have the appropriate permits, if necessary. Work with an experienced contractor and electrician to complete the installation of your alternative energy system safely and according to code.

• 4

  Connect your energy generator to your electrical devices using the appropriate electric wiring system for your energy source. With most systems, you will need to connect your energy source to a charge controller, which will control the amount of energy that is emitted to your devices from the energy source. The charge controller should be connected to a battery, which will store unused energy for later use. Connect the battery to an inverter, which should have a grounding circuit on it. The inverter with the grounding circuit can then be directly connected to your electrical devices (your electric load).

• 5

  Notify your power company of your electrical changes. If you are eliminating your connection to the utility grid, the power company may wish to completely shut off power to your property for safety reasons. You may also have the power company remove power connections, including the utility meter and power lines. If your power system is going to be a hybrid with the utility power system, you may want to have the electrical company install a new electricity meter that enables you to "power share" -- or sell the unused power generated by your solar system back to the power company. In either case, your electrical company will provide you with instructions for properly managing your particular situation.