Mode Electrical

I presented Martin with a significant challenge; to design and install a power system for a new house which was to be totally off-grid (for all power, waste, and water) and genuinely emission free (either directly or indirectly), yet had all the appliances, convenience, and comfort expected of a modern home. As such, it would need to be all-electric, with no generator backup, and no use of gas, oil, coal, or wood for domestic hot water, heating, or cooking. And to make the task even more challenging, the system would have to be robust enough to withstand use by occupants using it for short term holiday rentals, who may have no interest in or understanding of how the electricity was supplied. In essence it had to be bullet proof, and functionally indistinguishable from a normal grid-connected dwelling. Plus, the system had to be maintenance free for at least ten years. Most renewable energy experts told me this was virtually impossible, especially through a cold, wet Tasmanian winter, and hadn’t been done before in this sort of climate. However, with the assistance of a house designed to exceed German Passivhaus energy-efficiency standards, Martin met the challenge, designing and installing a system which so far has exceeded expectations. The house can be viewed at www.greensbeachsolarhome.com.au