- All
- Community
- Energy
- Events
- Food
- I Am Off-Grid And I Want Others To Join Me
- I Want To Go Off-Grid
- Land
- Mobile
- Off-Grid 101
- People
- Self-Sufficiency
- Solar
- Spirit
- Urban
- Water
- Work
- Energy ·
Best Inverter Generators
We recommend the best buys in inverter generators - preferring the latest, quietest technology
- Water ·
Living on a canal in the Great Loop
There are only 24 canal boats in America - this trip around the system of waterways circling eastern North America plans to change all that.
Ram pumps: too good to be forgotten
Ram pumps can transport water long distances and up hills with no outside help. Yet they are often unknown and ignored
- Energy ·
We won’t kill again, promises National Grid
National Grid shut off power to a New Hampshire woman who needed oxygen. She died and an investigation continues. The company changed its policy on disconnections after learning that it faced possible criminal charges
- Solar ·
US Army trials off-grid living
US Army tests off-grid living quarters, as well as preparing major bases to become energy self-sufficient and therefore secure.
- Events ·
Foreclosed home? Here is a solution
Foreclosed homes are the number one issue for millions - going off the grid can solve the problem and save you money
Relationship (Part 1)
In a post TEOTWAWKI or SHTF world, having a loving partner will make live much more enjoyable as well as safer. You know the old…
- Mobile ·
Cargotecture – shipping containers find new life
Old shipping containers find new life as commercial space or as durable homes
- Water ·
Water price gouging in Queensland
Water and sewerage in Brisbane averages AU$2.59 a day. Off the grid its $2.30 a day.
- Events ·
Killed by the Grid
National Grid escape charges after woman has power cut off to her home oxygen supply. She died
Escaping the rat race
Vonnie left a top job to live a quiet life off the grid near Taos - video interview
- Energy ·
Australia comes around to composting
Anaerobic digesters use human waste to make power. Sending it to landfill is a waste of waste
- Work ·
Green UK bank nears launch
Green Investment Bank with billions of government funds, as well as tens of billions of private money, nears launch
- Energy ·
London Mayor – from hogwash to greenwash
London Mayor Boris Johnson is full of hogwash and greenwash
- Urban ·
Man Maketh the Clothes
Make your own clothes - Book review of Through the Eye of a Needle by John-Paul Flintoff, about a middle class guy who makes his own Y-fronts to prove he has not been infantilised by consumer society
- Land ·
Greek Islands for sale
The world is waking up to the potential sales of thousands of tiny Greek islands as bug-out locations or even permanent residences. Off-Grid.net first reported…
- Urban ·
Your Money or Your Life
Your Money or your Life - which would you choose - earning money or having fun?
- Events ·
Photos win prize
A collection of photos we reviewed in May has won a prestigious prize. The photos of Maine off-gridders by Keliy Anderson-Staley won the Griffin Award…
- People ·
Model flees toilets
Eco hotel launch in Rome - Model Helena Christensen could not handle the toilets
- Events ·
Hearing of the House Science & Technology Committee
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE HOUSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE – 18th June REP. BAIRD: I thank you, Ms. Woolsey. I wouldn’t expect…
- Events ·
Gas Attack
Gas drilling threatens to damage the US environment as much as oil drilling
- Events ·
Renewable Energy needs to grow in America
The case for localised renewable energy
- Events ·
Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government and True Independence
Meet some of the characters from my next book – Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in…
- Mobile ·
Let’s go Boondock
If you are in an RV, Boondocking is the only way to go—it’s cheap, eco-friendly, and adventurous. And remember, an RV does not have to…
- Land ·
No Math Island
Denise de la Cerda lives off the grid out of choice. I visited her during my research trip writing Off the Grid: Inside the Movement…
- Solar ·
New Jersey solar incentives the best in US
New Jersey is the sunniest state in America, offering solar energy incentives for residential systems that can pay for themselves in as little as three…
- Urban ·
Vincent Kartheiser – Beyond Stuff
Vincent Kartheiser lives without possessions
- Spirit ·
Flee the City – join the Field Lab
John Wells lives in a shack he has grandly titled the Southwest Texas Alternative Energy And Sustainable Living Field Laboratory. When I visited he told…
- Land ·
Service charges for off-grid buildings
SEATTLE (AP) – Why should off-gridders pay the same rate for County services as those who are on the grid? King County in Washington State…
- Mobile ·
Tesla in the boonies
Off-Gridder buys a Tesla and charges it from his renewables
Water storage barrels
Water storage just got easier. Tuff Tech has unveiled a range of flexible water storage barrels.
- Events ·
Spooky Cambridge eco-homes
For the next two weekends a few private households in the ancient University town of Cambridge will be creaking open their doors for an eco-home…
- Mobile ·
Vodafone/Verizon lead 3G and MiFi deals
For mobile broadband, Verizon has the best deal in the US, and Vodafone in the UK
BP – Buttkickers Paradise
I have a confession to make. I’m British. But before you lynch me – please listen to my problem. Penguin will soon be publishing my…
LandBuddy
[landbuddy]
- Urban ·
Men need Garden Sheds
The Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA), has been beavering away for some years now, trying to help depressed, lonely males. They call themselves Shed Men…
US road-trip video – Eustace Conway
August sees the release of my new book, Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America…
- Land ·
A flat roof could be your new home
Need a free place to stay? Try a flat roof
- Solar ·
Solar Hydrogen building
A zero-emission and self-powering building to be driven by solar-powered hydrogen energy is planned for Griffith University in Australia. Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Ned Pankhurst described the $33…
- Urban ·
Poland Off the Grid
Dear readers of Off-Grid.net, My name is Krzysztof Lis, I live in Poland, and since 2005 I am interested in off-grid living. My off-grid journey…
- Spirit ·
Can advertising save the world?
Advertising is arguably responsible for more damage to our planet than any other human activity. More than manufacturing. More even than oil and coal extraction.…
- Spirit ·
Plenitude
Many, including writer Juliet Schor,question the underlying assumptions of the consumerist mentality. She has just written a new book about it – Plenitude: The New…
Christians Unplugged
Summer Lake, Oregon (CNN) Looking at this beautiful lake in the western U.S. state of Oregon is to understand the meaning of the phrase “God’s…
- Energy ·
Renewable Energy training
Here is a listing of some of the best Renewable Energy training courses around the United States. For a more thorough list, visit the Renewable…
- Energy ·
India’s off-grid whiz-kids
Off-Grid ideas are flowing from the classrooms of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford and Virginia University into commercial products in rural India. Here’s…
- People ·
Green Tories
With a couple of hundred new members of Parliament in the British House of Commons, the work has started to identify which of them are…
- Energy ·
Giant UK Green Investment Bank
The UK Government plans to launch a £1,000 billion ($1.44 Trillion) Green Investment Bank today. The Queen’s Speech, setting out the legislation for the next…
Urban Bushcraft
A new book, How to predict the weather with a cup of coffee: And other techniques for surviving the 9-5 jungle, takes the survival tips…
- People ·
On board the Plastiki
Two of the world’s leading environmental campaigners have passed the halfway point on their voyage across the Pacific in a boat made from plastic bottles.…
- Energy ·
Dow’s chemical home – its green, but is it toxic?
Midland 21 May — The Dow Chemical Co. has launched a show-home that it contends will eliminate utility bills, but at what price? The 3,400-square-foot…
- Spirit ·
Daryl’s Travels
Daryl Hannah is on a world tour raising awareness of The Green Wave and the loss of biodiversity in the International Year of Biodiversity. First…
- Solar ·
Solar lanterns for Africa
NAIROBI, May 18 (Reuters) * Africa spends $10 bln per year on kerosene * Cost of solar alternatives declining steadily * Some 700 mln Africans…
- Energy ·
Piggy power (aka Anaerobic digesters)
Anaerobic Digestion could transform the economics of livestock production and save energy, according to a packed workshop at the 2010 British Pig & Poultry Fair.Across Europe there are more than 4,000 anaerobic digester plants, but only 25 in the UK.
- Spirit ·
Portraits of Maine off the grid
Portrait photographs of off-gridders living in Maine - intimate documentation of how off-gridders really live
Off-grid electricity: produce, save and store
Off-grid energy supply is a task that has to be analyzed on three levels: producing the energy from any off-grid source, preferably renewable reducing energy…
Carrizales, no cloacas
Este artículo fue traducido del original por Nicola y Jaime a www.pisaligeramente.es Melvyn Rutter es Consultor de Calidad del Agua y Tecnologías de Filtración Carrizal.…
- Solar ·
Off-grid solar to provide 1% of world electricity
Solar PV from off-grid sources will account for 1% of global electricity says the IEA, and 25% in total will be solar
- People ·
Mr and Mrs Sting and their carbon footprints
Sting and Trudie Styler's carbon footprint does not include the industrial sized Ocado deliveries for their daughter Coco
- Energy ·
Sydney to move off-grid
Sydney, Australia wants to end its dependence on centrally generated electricity for public buildings - it has started planning six tri-generation power plants with more to come
- Energy ·
Smart Grid doubts grow
Smart Grid not living up to its name - costly upgrade will likely increase profits of Utilities without saving customers money or energy
- Events ·
UK elects first Green MP
Caroline Lucas the UK's new Green MP -- her performance in the next parliament will be crucial to the wider acceptance of Green politicians.
- Events ·
Low-tech medical revolution
Vinegar, a salad spinner and a toilet plunger are some of the everyday materials being used in a low-tech medical revolution that is transformomg healthcare…
- Energy ·
Solar power boost for India as German companies move in
India, one of the biggest markets for alternative energy technologies, is being targeted by German businesses. Berthold Breid, CEO of the German Renewable Energy Academy…
- Energy ·
Solar cell breakthrough
Solar cells using new tech breakthrough will deliver same power at 10% of the cost - Caltech
- Events ·
The Simpsons go off the grid (just)
The SImpsons have gone off the grid because of high electricity prices - but they did it wrong
- Events ·
Dugout Dick RIP
Dugout Dick dies in his Idaho cave at 94 - an iconic figure from another age
DIY washing machine and homemade laundry soap
What do you get when you combine a 5 gallon bucket and a toilet plunger? An off-grid washing machine. Well, maybe not a machine in…
Off-grid play is global hit
Success of smash hit play Jersualem has focused minds on off-grid themes in a way no other medium could. now it transfers from London to Broadway
- Events ·
New Canadian eco-village
Canadian village boosts its population by offering free lots to those willing to live off the grid
- Events ·
Green Party attack central power
The UK Green manifesto promises major redistribution of income and less reliance on centralised power.
- Energy ·
Big energy firms dominate UK Labour party
Big Energy firms avoid grilling for price gouging during cold winter
- Energy ·
Green home loans
SAN FRANCISCO — Locals will use home loans to finance green improvements now San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new financing program, Green…
- Energy ·
60% of energy lost in the power grid
UK academic says the UK loses 60% of power in generation and distribution
- Solar ·
Net zero solar home – video
Here is an example of how to make the best use of the home you have – however un-eco it was to start with. Pete…
solar panels- group buying
After 20 years without electricity, I have off-grid solar electric power system up and running for a year-and- a–half. Want to add to my solar…
- Energy ·
Oil to peak in 2011 – official
When considering Peak Oil, the US Department of Energy usually stands among the most optimistic sources regarding the depletion of world oil reserves. Now its senior…
FP&L block attempt to secede from the grid
COCOA BEACH — Florida Power & Light has along history of anti-community, anti-environment behavior. Now Cocoa Beach officials say FPL has not responded to their request…
- Energy ·
Lease solar panels says Mike Holmes
HGTV Holmes on Homes star, Mike Holmes says homeowners with a sunny roof should lease solar panels, both to futureproof their technology and to feed…
DIY-Loom knitting
Round loom knitting, have you heard of it? This is a type of knitting that uses a loom instead of using knitting needles. I never…
- Food ·
Compost tumblers for best results
Compost is easy to make but it happens much faster and easier with a compost tumbler because you need to turn compost regularly to get…
- Energy ·
Fuel Cells ready for mass market
Oorja Protonics, which specializes in methanol fuel cells, is soon to release a product able to run a home or small business. Check out the…
- Solar ·
Solar heating your home
A sunspace can make a dark room into a bright living space. It is also a source of solar heating for your home and a…
- Energy ·
Community Power in the UK
The UK government has issued a draft policy document empowering town halls to bring in decentralised energy schemes. A 12-week consultation exercise on revised planning…
Southern Oregon Off-Gridder
We are a family looking to move off-grid and become self sustainable. We would love to share the experience with like minded people, and relish…
How to choose the right solar water pump
A free guide to choosing a solar water pump has been published by scientists from Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Agricultural engineer Brian Vick drew on…
- People ·
Alone in the Wilderness
Dick Proenneke is the star of Alone in the Wilderness, a grainy super-8 film he shot himself. It chronicles his life in the wilderness and…
Solar hot water for pennies
The Townhead Collective in the North of England is a group of twenty men and women who live off the grid in comfort on very…
Daryl Hannah reveals second off-grid home
Hollywood icon Daryl Hannah is already a poster girl for the off-grid revolution. The interview she gave www.off-grid.net in 2005 made her Colorado staging post…
Video-clips from “How to Live Off-Grid”
The Off-grid channel on YouTube has a growing collection of clips showing real people living and working off the grid. Please send us your clips…
- Work ·
Data management and other off-grid technologies
Going off-grid sounds exciting. Many people approach it with a sense of adventure as if they were living in a camper van, trailer or small…
- Energy ·
Peak Oil back in the news
The world’s oil reserves have been exaggerated by about 33%, according to Sir David King, the UK Government’s former chief scientist, who warns of shortages…
- Spirit ·
From soft porn to Disney doc
A former soft porn writer and her film director husband have developed “a passion for living off-grid after three years in the middle of the…
- Energy ·
Waitrose to open first ‘off-grid’ store
One of the UK’s most successful retailers ,The John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose supermarkets and John Lewis department stores, is to open its first…
- Events ·
Better Off
If you cannot wait until Earth Hour on 27 March to switch off power in your house, try making this weekend your Power Off Weekend. …
Off the grid living a “top ten” idea
Support from Reihan Salam Time Magazine has called living off the grid “one of the most important ideas of the next ten years.” Time Managing…
- Events ·
Off-grid real estate, Phoenix
On March 13, 2010, bidders will have a rare chance to acquire Vulture Ranch, a sprawling 80 acre compound, and “an absolute jewel among Arizona…
- Events ·
Beware of 1BOG
The company recently raised $5m, a step forward in its aim to become a major corporate player in the solar panel market. But this tiny…
- Land ·
Time to buy an island
The Greek government is being urged to sell its uninhabited islands to bail itself out of bankruptcy, and the UK is likely to find itself…
- Events ·
Building the off-grid revolution
Ecobuild has become the most important building exhibition in the UK.Off-grid picks its favourite products.
Off the Grid and the prepared
So, just what does that mean? I can tell you from personal experience and from the responses I have received from people over the years…
- Energy ·
Monbiot anti-micropower rant is anti-green
Everybody in UK eco-circles is talking about George Monbiot this week, which is just the way he likes it. George Monbiot is an unashamed cheerleader…
- Events ·
Off-grid Olympians
American Olympic snowboarder Hannah Teter has returned to Vermont — to live in her yurt. “Mom has a huge garden and fruit trees,” she told…
- Land ·
Real Estate, Cincinnati
Talks are afoot in Hamilton County about building what could be the first subdivision in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that is completely off the grid.…
- Events ·
Pacific Power Seeks grid-tied Renewable Energy
From March 8 thru May, Pacific Power will accept applications for community-based renewable energy funding from its Blue Sky renewable energy program. They cover the…
Fox buys John Twelve Hawks
Is there really a John Twelve Hawks? The author of a bestselling sci-fi series called the Fourth Realm Trilogy lives off the grid, according to…
10 acres near Durango — trees,spring
Brian writes: Hello! I own two separately deeded 10 acre parcels side by side. Both border 9000 acres of public land and are secluded and…
Emergency Power: engine-driven generators
Living off the grid, generators have a place. There comes a time when some backup power is needed. In most cases this means using an…
LandBuddy – link with others off the grid
Welcome to the beta launch of LandBuddy ™, a place where you can find new off-grid friends and form groups to share land, acquire real…
- Energy ·
Government grants create turbine debacle
The UK Government’s energy conservation watchdog has admitted that consumers were duped by inappropriate grants into buying wind turbines that never stood a chance of…
- Land ·
US Embassy in London to be off-grid ready
For decades the residents of elite Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair had to contend with overbearing security along the entire side of the square occupied…
- Energy ·
Bloom energy box enables off-grid living
More details of the Bloom Box have been revealed at a carefully managed press conference in California. The much-hyped off-grid source of cheap electricity will not lead…
Class of its own
The first off-grid classroom with a revolutionary solar-powered rainwater harvesting and filtration system, has been opened. Exclusive Benenden School in the UK, a girls-only boarding…
- Energy ·
Boom time for Bloom Box
A new but still unseen fuel cell technology that its creator claims can be an off-grid source of cheap energy, and clean power, is about…
- Energy ·
V2G will sustain microgrid
Micro-grids could operate reliably without the need for a national grid backup if they tapped the vast amounts of power stored in the batteries of…
- People ·
Rocker who lives in a shed
Tim Barry has been rockognised. The singer songwriter from Richmond VA lives back of his girlfriend’s house in a shed with a busted kerosene heater…
- Events ·
Where have all the engineers gone?
A common theme running through many if not most if the current crop of discussion threads dealing with alternative lifestyle and off-grid living is a…
Must simplicity be minimalist?
To date most efforts at living the simple life, off the grid seem to be an exercise in minimalism — doing without amenities most people…
Truck as a generator?
Over at diesel-generators.org, opinion is divided over whether to use a giant old diesel truck as a generator. Assuming you get the truck for next…
- Events ·
Here comes the sun
Because we live off the grid, people seem to think we live in a shack without modern conveniences. Totally not true, but we do have to…
Cómo construir panel solar para $100 – Usted puede también
En este artículo voy a describir cómo construir una foto de paneles solares fotovoltaicos para una fracción del precio que se pagaría a un fabricante.…
- Energy ·
Big Power’s green energy scam blocked
The UK power regulator has introduced a new certification scheme aimed at stopping power companies from marketing 'green' tariffs that arent really green.
- Events ·
Walking house, Air-borne hotel – Welcome to eco-prop
The world’s first walking home set off on vacation early this morning. The box-like dwelling which uses six hydraulic legs powered by solar panels left…
- Energy ·
Smart Grid – the pain begins
Only the rich will be able to afford energy for heating/cooling when the Smart Grid goes nationwide. At least, that is the logical conclusion to…
- Events ·
Take a walk on the wild side….
…..Lou Reed sang the song; now he has gone back to the wilderness. The archteypal New York heroin rocker,Reed,together with his wife, performance artist Laurie…
- Events ·
Freeconomy founder talk tonight
A UK green weekend in Nottingham will hear a keynote speech this evening from Mark Boyle, who has been living without money for more than…
- Work ·
Robin hood tax pressure grows
Ewan McGregor, Radiohead and Bill Nighy are the latest to join the campaign for a Robin Hood Tax on the financial sector. McGregor and Radiohead…
Independence or a new dependency?
Off-Grid forum has a new moderator – meet Elnav, and listen to his wise words – he has walked the talk for many years. “To…
- Energy ·
More cash for Big Power
At last – the UK energy regulators have woken up to what everyone else has been saying for months – Britain’s energy infrastructure is crumbling…
- Energy ·
UK low carbon winners
M2 Presswire – LONDON – Twelve communities from across the UK are today celebrating after winning up to GBP500,000 each to help install new green…
- Events ·
Haiti rebuild starts
Off-grid technologies, such as lights and cookers has been a major feature of the Haitian relief effort. And as the international aid effort is finally…
- Events ·
Lori Ryker speaks
Lori Ryker, architecture professor and author of two books about Off The Grid living, will speak at Louisiana state University college of art & design,…
- Events ·
Off-Grid art show in Dehli
The Anant gallery in Dehli had a group show last month called Living off the Grid. It was about ways to escape the many grids…
- Energy ·
Fight to stop the new Super-Grid
Actor and broadcaster, Griff Rhys Jones has joined the battle against the Grid. He opposes the new electricity towers,or “Super pylons,” which are supposedly needed…
- Events ·
Haiti may rescue Venezuela
At the same time as the Venezuela government introduces measures to ration electricity, President Hugo Chavez accuses the US government of deliberately engineering the Haitian…
- Land ·
Off-Grid HQ in UK
If you want to go off the grid in the UK, Pembrokeshire is where its at. It now has recognised over 50 off-grid homes. Officials…
- Food ·
Vegetable factory in a box
The world’s first portable, containerised vegetable garden is set to be delivered in April. The scientifically developed “vegetable factory”, from Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. is…
- Spirit ·
Up in the Air
George Clooney’s starring role in “Up in the Air” is a movie about a special class of off-gridder – the business traveller – living in…
Reedbeds, not sewers
Reedbed Filtration is a natural approach to human waste water treatment. International environmental scientist, MELVYN RUTTER is a born-again reed-bed enthusiast. Here he describes his…
- People ·
Soccer’s swampy bugs out
MANCHESTER United defender Gary Neville is building an earth sheltered eco home that promises to become one of Britain’s leading environmental showcases.
- Events ·
Greed is US
For years we have been taught to measure the quality of our lives according to how much we can consume – bigger house, grander cars,…
Details of my Off-grid Plan
Oki doki folks! Jenny here. Hello out there once more! Continuing on from my previous article, which can be found here, I shall now home…
- People ·
Living for free
27-year-old Katharine Hibbert is a nice middle class girl. She writes book reviews for the Times Literary Supplement, and volunteers for the Food not Bombs…
- Solar ·
Solar for Haiti
Solar-powered equipment for water, lighting, and communications is being sent to Haiti as part of the reconstruction efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake. Solar manufacturer…
- Spirit ·
Medical self-reliance
by Susan France Bonner, Author of Opening a Registered Nurse’s Eyes: A Life Altering Journey Across North America. The health care debate in the United…
- Energy ·
New wind power for ships
The world’s first cargo ship to be powered with high altitude kite-like sails tethered on lines 100 metres in the air was “Theseus,” last year.…
- Events ·
7 green building trends for 2010
From web-based displays that track energy usage in real time, to the downsizing of the American home, here are the key trends that will affect…
- Events ·
Home hydrogen to spark energy revolution?
Hydrogen fuel cell technology takes a great leap forward with the launch of the first domestic hydrogen generator
- Work ·
Land prices set to collapse
Be prepared for the next phase of the recession and keep watching land prices – if you are nimble, there will be an affordable moment…
- Events ·
Saved by the neighbours
An off-grid equestrian and her family had their Christmas dinner delivered by a Welsh police mountain rescue helicopter today. The family was stranded for two…
Cabin Fever
By Tia Meer My dream home is an oddball. It doesn’t quite fit it. It’s unlike anything in the surrounding neighborhood. It is, in fact,…
- Events ·
Johnson & Johnson zillionairess dies, ignored by family
BABY-oil heiress Casey Johnson had been living off-grid in the months before her drug-fueled death. British model Jasmine Lennard, a friend of the troubled heiress…
- Food ·
Economy Gastronomy is low stress
Slow cooking is the best way to eat off the grid. Here is the philosophy for successful slow stews. It’s an icy winter’s day in…
- Food ·
Cool Tools
This site does not talk enough about the great new gadgets and technologies which make off-grid living ever more comfortable. Here are two – your…
Blueprint for sustainable living
An off-grid Community in the UK has been awarded £350,000 of central government money to help it spread its low-carbon lifestyle to families across the…
- Events ·
Bloomington preppers
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Dec. 21 — The city of Bloomington issued a press release fully endorsing a report into post-peak oil scenarios. December, 2009, “the Bloomington…
- Events ·
Survivalism vs the media
Cody Lundin, the survivalist author, spent two years spent living in a brush shelter in the woods where he slept on pine needles and cooked…
Free solar calculators
Free tools online to calculate the amount of sunlight you have and the solar panels you will need
- Solar ·
Slow spread of 1BoG
Anyone considering solar power probably has a green outlook. If the deal you do is good for the planet yet not so good for your…
- Events ·
Bankers nixed Copenhagen
It was obvious from the start that the Copenhagen climate conference was doomed. World leaders were trying to square an impossible circle. They had to…
- Events ·
Eco-villages now in 70 countries
In 1991, Robert and Diane Gilman co-authored a seminal study called “Ecovillages and Sustainable Communities” for Gaia Trust. Today, there are ecovillages in over 70…
- Events ·
Lo-energy xmas
The outside of your home may be a shining example of the Christmas season but there are ways to be energy efficient and still light…
- Solar ·
Electric filling station
New York’s first solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station is open for business. It is the first in New York State and one of few…
- Events ·
Nick Rosen on CNN
Off-Grid founder Nick Rosen is interviewed on CNN today. The article puts Off-Grid living into the context of Copenhagen. In the interview given at the…
Humanure – sawdust toilets
Sit, flush and forget, that’s what most of us do, multiple times a day. Composting toilets are the answer. We use perfectly good, drinkable water…
India’s cleantech start-ups
We all know that China is the world leader in relatively low-tech solar panels. Now a clutch of tiny Indian start-ups are proving that global…
How I built a $100 solar panel (2)
DIY expert Mike Davis provides a detailed account of his experience of building his own solar panel
How I built a solar panel for $100 – You can too
In this article I am going to describe how to build a photo voltaic solar panel for a fraction of the price you would pay…
Off-Grid update
What a great early Christmas gift, I know that to those who get snow every winter, it’s not that exciting, but for those of us…
Propane Appliances, or Electric?
The Department of Energy reported in 2007 that natural gas or propane is still the cheaper form of energy compared with electric. Comparing previous years…
- Mobile ·
Portable battery chargers
Battery charging is an important part of off-grid life. Some of the devices I rely on when I’m on the road are ones that basically…
- Mobile ·
Hot springs holidays
Top tips for eco-travel this Xmas
- Events ·
Copenhagen’s off-grid tree
With international climate change talks less than a week away, the host city has taken its Christmas tree off-grid with a rack of bicycles powering…
- Energy ·
How Big Power will keep control
The man who runs one of the largest Energy retailers in America (and Britain) has signalled the death of the traditional utility company. He is…
Off-Grid questions
Every now and again, I get an email with some great questions, this evening I received such an email from a new ‘net friend, Marcy.…
Foreclosed? Move to Rio Rancho
Architecturally, the dwellings run the gamut — railroad cars, travel trailers, plywood shacks, doublewides and two-story ranch-style homes.
Here in Rio Rancho outside Albuquerque, residents are beyond the reach of power lines and piped water. A few have solar panels or small wind turbines. For others, like a shanty built by Liz Owens, 57, the cost of renewable power sources and drilling a water well is prohibitive. Generators and plastic water tanks are common yard features.
The local County is concerned about the proliferation of informal development. Sandoval County's long-term planner said home styles in the area range from railroad cars to travel trailers, plywood shacks and ranch-type homes.
A few stocking fillers
SO much pointless stuff gets passed around at Christmas. We've tried to suggest a handful of gifts which are both useful and unlikely to be things you have seen before.
- Spirit ·
Grid pollution kills 24,000 Americans a year”
A new report from Environment America names power stations as the biggest polluters in the US. It lists the dirtiest facilities and the dirtiest states.
- Events ·
Don’t get frustrated – be inspired
We are honored to welcome a serving member of the US Armed forces as our newest regular contributer. Laurie Tamminen is currently in a theater of…
- People ·
Real-life Canute fights coast ruling
A retired engineer who built his own sea defences is trying to reverse a legal judgement which would result in his home being washed into…
- Water ·
Wish we thought of that!
The rainbeers are coming! An Atlanta Brewery which was making beer from rainwater has been told to stop gathering the water by city officials. Probably…
- Land ·
Sanyo’s packaged life off-grid
Sanyo is has started producing homes that go off-grid at the flick of a switch
- Energy ·
Senators back mini-nuke
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 — The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following news release: Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mark…
Possum Living-How To Live Well With (Almost) No Money
I wish I could say that I had read this book way back when, and that was what inspired me to live my off-grid life……
- Events ·
Australian Eco gifts
Here are a few ideas that will help, or at least not hinder the Australian environment Oregon Scientific Solar Weather Clock $139.99 THIS tidy unit…
David de Rothschild loves life off the grid
David de Rothschild has revealed he prefers life off-grid and can’t stand carbon off-setting. “There is just something more satisfying about living off-grid,” he told…
- Energy ·
$35,000 gets free energy for life
By investing $80,000, and getting back $45,000 in subsidies and tax credits, a Massachusetts family has reduced its energy bill by $3500 a year. That means they will payback the investment within ten years (less if energy prices rise).
- Energy ·
Grid fails in Brazil
Massive power cuts in several Latin American countries highlight the dangers of relying on centralised power production
2012 and the age of stupid
2012 is perhaps one of the stupidest movies ever made - it has no basis whatsoever- its just an experiment in computer graphics with a few false assumptions about the Universe
- Energy ·
Scrap carbon targets – they’re unachievable….
UK carbon reduction targets are a fairytale, a fantasy, says report from influential Institition of Mechanical Engineers. UK would have to build 30 Nuclear power stations by 2015 to achieve planned carbon cut
Getting canned
No, I’m not talking about your last job… I’m talking about canning. It’s all but becoming a lost art. But it doesn’t have to be…
Palin speaks her brains
A verbatim account of Sarah Palin discussing energy and the enviuronment with Rush Limbaugh
- Events ·
An Eco-village is born
A new eco-village won zoning by giving locals what they wanted
- People ·
A Freegan Feast for 500
Freegan Mark Boyle is marking Buy Nothing Day with a lunch for 500 that will cost him and his guests absolutely nothing.
- People ·
Peak Oil is now says IEA
THE world will have to find four Saudi Arabias by 2030 if it wants to maintain its oil consumption habit, says the International Energy Agency’s chief economist, Dr Fatih Birol.
Under the Dome – book preview
Stephen King's latest novel is about a small town that is suddenly and mysteriously taken off the grid.
- Energy ·
States’ resources beat Fed grid
A new study by the Institute for Local Self reliance finds that most states could be energy self sufficient tomorrow if they had the political will. Thereport analyses 7 different forms of renewable energy state by state
Daryl Hannah interview
Daryl Hannah talks about her eco career
- Mobile ·
And so farewell G-Wiz
The G-Wiz car was the first green icon. Now it is being withdrawn from the market.
Top govt advisor attacks Big Power
One of the most important attacks on the power industry ever made by a serving politician
My Off-grid plan
Treetop Jen has returned home to the UK, and now she is wondering how to reshape her life. Aim: to live off-grid in the back…