Solar Powered Pond?

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rainbowcharmer

AC Members
Jul 30, 2007
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East Coast, USA
So I am really starting to plan for the pond we'll be *hopefully* building this coming spring, and I'd really like to have it be sustainable - i.e. solar powered. Is this possible? I've seen some solar powered pumps, but they are not quite what I'm thinking of since they ONLY work when the sun is out and on them. I'd need batteries to store solar power in to keep it running 24 hours and on cloudy days. Is this a realistic idea? If not, what is the best way to run electricity to a pond? I really don't want a power cord snaking across my patio and down the yard to where the pond will be. I could bury it, of course, once it's off the patio (nearest power supply is on the patio), but is that the best course of action? Really I do want to see about the solar power thing though. Just not sure where to start with that.

Thoughts?
 

GoldLenny

Senior Member? Do I get a 5% disc.?
Anything is realistic... but whether it's cost effective is a whole 'nother story. With renewable energy sources, the up-front cost is high and could take years or even decades to see a payback... if there are no other maintenance/repair costs associated with the renewable energy source. Sometimes, people think that with tax credits, etc., it makes it more affordable but they fail to remember that they still have to pay them taxes... or their neighbors, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids do.

Now, as far as running your own electricity from your home to your pond, you would have to dig a trench, run wiring through conduit in the trench and then cover the trench. Of course, that's the simple explanation. It should all be done according to proper electrical code and standards. You can do it yourself. Electricians aren't rocket scientists.... unless they are electricians actually working on rockets. ;-)

That would be MUCH cheaper in the short run compared to buying an array of solar panels and batteries... and depending on the cost of the solar panels and batteries, you could figure out your payback and how long it would take.

If you do decide to go solar, you might want to build a pergola over part of your pond and put the solar panels on the pergola. This would also provide shade to that area of the pond if you have hot summers. You just have "East Coast, USA" in your member info so you could be anywhere from Miami to Maine. ;-)
 

rainbowcharmer

AC Members
Jul 30, 2007
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East Coast, USA
I'm in Georgia - northern Georgia. What that means for a solar powered pond, I'm not sure though. We do have longer summers for sure. And shade for the pond is probably a good idea.

I'd rather have someone who knows what they're doing mess with the electricity if I go that route, which won't be cheap either. Ideally what I'd rather do is solar power my house. :) Though that will most definitely not be cheap. Haha

I'm still in the really early planning stages though. I need to get some books on pond building and start to really get it down on paper. I have a pretty general idea of what I want, and I've got the gallons calculated to about 1500, if I did the math right. I think it will be a nice setup, if I can just get it all figured out.
 

GoldLenny

Senior Member? Do I get a 5% disc.?
I have a blog with LOTS of free online or downloadable e-books on building your own pond.
 

ITHURTZ

BIG BOSS
Apr 19, 2007
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Lake County IL (north of cook)
honestly I would go wind turbine. We all know days where the sun never comes out, but there are not many days where the wind does not exist.

Id love to one day own a house if the world doesnt end, and just run a free tank powered by wind and go nuts.

You have your regular blades, then you have your vertical turbines.



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rainbowcharmer

AC Members
Jul 30, 2007
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East Coast, USA
We had considered wind power here, but according to all the wind maps, we are in a terrible spot for wind turbines. We're in a valley and it is often not windy enough to generate any power from the turbines, at least according to the "experts". That was my initial goal with this house when we bought in this area was to make it sustainable via wind power. It would have worked great where we lived in RI, or even where my parents are in OH, but here in north GA, the wind power is very minimal. :(

It may be something to look into again, but when we were researching last summer we had very little luck with the idea.
 

rainbowcharmer

AC Members
Jul 30, 2007
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East Coast, USA
I'm in a one story surrounded by 2 story houses. Not sure how the wind would be there? And my yard is all downhill from the house, so even putting it on a tall pole wouldn't get it real high. The bottom of my yard is probably a good 30 feet lower than the yard where my house sits... Hmmm... Decisions decisions.
 

Sploke

resident boozehound
Staff member
Oct 20, 2005
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South Windsor, CT
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Matt
If the pond was large enough, you probably wouldn't even need a pump running 24/7...just having it circulating water when the sun is out would most likely be sufficient.
 
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