08-19-2020, 10:57 PM
I penciled out these three options when I moved here, costs were roughly the same.
1. Propane fridge + tanks + plumbing.
2. DC-powered "solar" fridge + panel(s).
3. Conventional fridge + tiny off-grid system (2 panels, 6 golf-cart batteries, inverter).
Propane is a better bet if the sun never comes out (eg, Glenwood or similar).
DC fridge is expensive, but the system is very very simple (most are designed to take a panel directly, no batteries). I think the Kurtistown solar shop has them.
Tiny system means it's cheap to replace the fridge as needed (rust, compressor failure) and you get some electricity for other things.
Propane is expensive to begin with, delivery surcharge isn't cheap, and of course the tank/plumbing would have to be permitted/inspected/certified before the gas company will even show up.
1. Propane fridge + tanks + plumbing.
2. DC-powered "solar" fridge + panel(s).
3. Conventional fridge + tiny off-grid system (2 panels, 6 golf-cart batteries, inverter).
Propane is a better bet if the sun never comes out (eg, Glenwood or similar).
DC fridge is expensive, but the system is very very simple (most are designed to take a panel directly, no batteries). I think the Kurtistown solar shop has them.
Tiny system means it's cheap to replace the fridge as needed (rust, compressor failure) and you get some electricity for other things.
Propane is expensive to begin with, delivery surcharge isn't cheap, and of course the tank/plumbing would have to be permitted/inspected/certified before the gas company will even show up.