I've been reading a lot about how to be more green. One of my nasty habits at work is to have an idea occur to me and I obsess over it until I can either do it, do more research on it, or both then forget it once I have a chance to do it. I've decided that this one won't get away from me.

I've decided I'm going to build a minor solar generator. And then based on my results, probably continue to build it larger and more robust until I can seriously supplement or replace my electrical dependence. It could be the first step to moving off the grid. One of my dearest goals is to be off the grid. No phone lines or power lines to muck up the horizon.

Energy from the environment. Pull electricity from the enormous nuclear reactor that has fueled our development. Pull water directly from a well or cistern system. Satellite radio, tv, cellular communications, the fewer wires the better. Water purification and waste water recycling into plants for food.

I know it must sound nuts to most of you to imagine me, the most technologically inclined person I know to consider joining the back to earth movement. What can I say I am Red White and Blue outside but Green inside.

Anyways back to the solar generator.

I've found bulk suppliers for individual solar cells. Say forty or so of these wired in series and parallel can generate plenty of 12 volt juice to charge a bank of batteries.

The batteries will start out with deep cycle high Amp hour marine batteries. The one in your car isn't quite the same. Car batteries are all about cold cranking amps, or in other words large bursts of energy required to turn over an engine and get you running. Deep cycle are designed to constantly supply juice. Now these batteries only put out 12-14 volts.

You may be asking yourself how the hell do I run my 110 volt AC equipment with 12 volt DC. Simple, AC Power inverters. They are in plenty of use right now. They are used for converting low volt DC into high volt AC. They're for running things like your PS3 or tv in a car or van. Get a big enough one and you can run microwaves and hairdryers etc. Handy equipment.

So I got the theory down, now to order parts and build the damn thing. It's going to have to wait a few weeks though with the japan trip coming up and all. Not to mention my work schedule is nuts after my vacation. This will be done, I just don't know when.

If this is viable the first small version will be for camping. Then one to supplement lighting around the house. Use a 400Watt or bigger inverter. that should run a bunch of 16watt (60 watt equivalent) CFL's around the house. Since I have everything off at home during the day and don't use a lot of light at night I should be able to cut my already low electricity bill down to just what I need to run the fridge and minor overhead all houses have and in the summer just add the AC units.. Should be more than enough for me to power some network gear a few bulbs charge my cell and my laptops.

Energy independence here I come..... eventually.