Life "off the grid"!

You don’t have to travel very far outside Port au Prince before you find people living “off the grid”, outside the power grid that is. There are no power lines in the villages, no gas or water lines either. In many ways a walk through the village is a step back in time. The people live as they have for generations; kerosine lanterns provide light and charcoal fires are used for cooking.

women buy & sell charcoal in the market 

Here in Gros Morne we live “off the grid”. For that matter, our house needs to be self sufficient when it comes to all our utilities: electricity, gas, & water. Unlike the villagers we do not rely on kerosene and charcoal. Our primary power source is 15 of solar panels on the roof of the house. Many of our energy needs are in the kitchen. Our solar refrigerator and freezer have a battery “back up” system that insures electricity 24/7. Our stove is fitted with a propane tank. Other household electricity needs include indoor & outdoor lighting …bedroom fans during the summer months …and a plethora wall chargers for, but not limited to, computers, cell phones, & iPods. In addition to the solar panels we also have a diesel generator. We run the generator approximately 45 minutes a day to supplement the solar power during our peak usage time; when the non-potable water is being pumped from our well & cistern to the roof for use throughout the house. Keep in mind the house has no central heating or cooling system …no hot water heater …no dish washer or microwave …no clothes washer or dryer …no TV. So far I’ve not experienced any power outages …although I have had a couple opportunities to change the gas tank on the stove.

Larger of two solar arrays on the roof

Solar freezer with battery back-up

Our house is not the norm in Haiti. Unfortunately, solar power is still beyond the means of the average person here in Haiti. Hopefully, as the technology becomes more affordable the Haiti people will have greater access to healthy, environmentally sound, sustainable energy sources.