That's it- We are going OFF the grid!

Hopefully it won't be that primitive!

We would have preferred to have grid power however the neighbor was not willing to grant an easement for the line extension. So, we are going with alternative power- solar with generator backup. As far as cost goes, the cost for the line extension was going to be $21,000. The cost of the solar system/generator is almost exactly the same. 

After fully charging, the system will have enough capacity to power the entire house for 2.5 days if there is no sun. The generator can then be switched on and will run the house while recharging the battery bank. The monthly cost to operate should be pretty small.

The solar panels will mount on the south facing roof of the solar shed:

This weekend I will be working on framing the shed using the lumber I milled the last two weekends...

Roof and Sawmilling

The roofers finally came back and finished the roof. I ended up doing the lower roof on the back of the house. 

Two weeks ago when I had he excavator here and dug the trench, I also transplanted a cottonwood tree. You can see it in the photo below, just to the right of the house and in front of it.

Some photos of milling lumber for the solar shed...

concrete and trench

Finished forming the slab for the solar shed. I had a gravel truck come and place about 6 inches inside the forms so I would end up with about a 5 1/2 inch slab (about 12 inches thick around the edges.)

I ordered 8.5 yards of a special concrete called self consolidating concrete. It is normally used for bridge beams and costs about $15 more per yard than regular. The concrete supplier has never seen anyone use it on a slab before and they were interested in trying it. It is very fluid and was very easy to place and finish. I completed finishing before the truck driver pulled away. No screed, bullfloating or vibrating needed. I just used a simple two by four with a handle, jiggling  it up and down in the top inch or so of concrete across the entire slab.

It worked great and produced a smooth finish.

I was careful to keep the dogs away but Smokey managed to get his initials in it.

Yesterday I rented an excavator and dug a trench and hole for the propane tank and lines.