Simple Solar Homesteading

This is my little solar cabin in the woods. It is 14x14 with a full loft upstairs and about 400 square feet.

It cost under $2000 to build and is powered by a 570 watt solar and wind power system.

CLICK HERE TO SEE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE IMAGES

 CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS OF SOLAR CABIN

The cabin is 14  x 14 and approximately 400 square feet with a full loft. It includes a kitchen, dining area, bathroom and living area downstairs and a large bedroom and office upstairs.

I built this cabin by myself from new materials for under $2000 (not including windows, doors, and porch).  I live in this cabin year round. My electricity comes from the solar panels you see on the roof and a small wind turbine. This power runs all my lights, water pump, tv, computer etc. My heat is primarily from direct solar gain through the south facing windows and I use propane for a backup furnace, fridge, stove, and on demand water heater. My propane bill for last year was less than $200. I use a cell phone and have wifi internet. 

My water is from a free flowing artesian well I drilled myself and I also collect rainwater for gardening. My septic system is a solar composting toilet that I designed and is about two thirds more efficient than standard designs. I grow a garden, fruit trees and raise chickens and rabbits.

I also designed a solar methane generator that uses free manure and plant material to produce enough methane to run my converted generator for about 3 hours a day and runs my power tools.

Because I have no house payments or monthly utility bills I can live very inexpensively. I own a small business and now I can work when I want as I want. I only work 9 months a year and spend winters on other projects.

My goal is to live simply and do as little damage to the earth as possible!

This cabin would be perfect as a starter home, vacation cabin, guest house, or bunk house. It is big enough to sleep six comfortably. 

If you have questions contact me at lamar84066@yahoo.com

Here's the back of the cabin before finished                                       Here's my propane fridge, stove and my sink

Living area with futon couch for guests                                         Dining area for 4 people

Lots more pictures in PHOTOS area!

 For high quality affordable solar and wind equipment please visit

Northern Arizona Wind & Sun Inc.    http://www.solar-electric.com/

HERE ARE A FEW BOOK REVIEWS FROM CUSTOMERS:

BOOK REVIEW:
As a professional renewable energy writer, I do review renewable
energy books for various publications, both in print and online.

I bought Lamar's Ebook "Simple Solar Homesteading" the other day. It's
a bargain for 5 bucks, it's completely original, he wrote and
photographed everything in it. The CAD construction diagrams for all
the projects are clear, the book is well organized, and it's easy to
read. You can build all of these projects yourself with just the
information provided in the book.

This book is a really original GEM in a sea of re-hashed online
renewable energy ebooks, and I highly recommend it to everyone here.

Dan Fink

Author and "Ask an Expert" columnist for Home Power Magazine
Author for Back Home Magazine
Co-author of the book "Homebrew Wind Power," 2008

 Thanks Lamar!  This is exactly what I hoped it would be.  Perfect for our lake lot, and lots of projects available for future improvements.  This ought to keep us busy for years into our retirement. 

God Bless,
Kathy and Mike Wilson

 "I just received LaMar's book about simple solar homesteading. The whole book contains finite directions for building a cabin for under $2,000, a solar system for under $1000, a solar water heater for under $50 ,a solar composting toilet, and even a garden cart, plus lots of other info about where to go to get more stuff. It's the best $5 I've ever spent. Just the how-to photos are worth so much. I printed the book off, bound it, and stayed up most of the night devouring it--now I can't wrench it out of my son's hands. I've always said if you know how to build shelter and grow food, it takes most of the fear out of life. If you haven't ordered this book, do it NOW! Thanks, LaMar, for putting this together". Rebecca at Coyote Moon Homestead in W KY

"Lamar has empowered the reader, the seeker, the fed-up, those on very limited income, enabled them to take control of their life. Freeing them from the servitude of a system; that enslaves under 15-20 even 30 years of indenture, the mortgage company. A system that cares not for the Spiritual welfare of its captives, but only the profit it can extract from it’s sufferers. I found this book, to contain a wealth of information. All of it in a format that is usable, by anyone with the most marginal construction skills. Providing plans for more than just a cabin, he touches upon many more of the needed systems, which go along with homesteading. It will become a valuable tool for many, profound in its straight forward simplicity." Rock Trant 

 To see more professional reviews click here

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Copyright 2007