I have an sustainable issue that maybe ya'll can help me with...*
I moved into the forest, and there is only scarce amounts of sunlight coming to the Luck Cabin. While I would love to get off the grid entirely, when it comes to doing anything solar related... well the trees are blocking out the light. It seems crazy to me to cut down trees to have solar energy, but which option really is the most environmentally sound? I mean, how much is destroyed when I use up all the electricity... more then 10-20 trees?
I have a small hot water heater, run by electricity - it's small enough to fit under the kitchen counter. But I long to have a solar tank, that uses the sun to heat up the water. I have a stove and fridge run by electricity too... but I use maybe 30-40$ a month total, so switching to solar should be somewhat easy.
That is, if i had sunlight (and $).
I would love to open a discussion here where people can share their ideas of better ways to live Off Grid without using electricity generated by the electric company. Do I even need solar panels (sunlight heat), or is there a truly efficient and realistic way to live with no electricity year round without solar energy?
My suggestion box is open!
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Here are steps I have already taken to be sustainable::::
- Gravity fed spring water
- Organic gardening (planting fruit trees, herbs, veggies etc to feed myself)
- Using wood to warm the cabin (also can cook on the wood stove too)
- Building my gray water system, instead of a septic tank
- Composting toilet
- My donkey! (using her poop as garden fertilizer and I plan to train her to take long rides, carry pack saddles, hike etc...)
- Rarely drive a car (i have a bike too, but don't have the strength to ride it in my area)
- Wear only organic, vintage, fair trade, used, thrifted clothing and shoes
