Bucking the System: Page 4 of 4

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Last Updated:

04/19/12

Beginner

Inside this Article

Appel-Lowrys Tech Specs

Two Wyoming wind turbines

These two Bergey wind turbines provide part of the power at the Appel-Lowrys’ ranch near Crowheart, Wyoming.

Rob & Marcia

Happy homesteaders Rob and Marcia, with their dog Luke.

PV Array

This PV array is one of several that provides electricity for the ranch.

SHW collectors

Two solar collectors mounted on the roof provide almost all of the household’s hot water. A small PV module (to the left of the collectors) powers the system’s pump.

In the living room

Marcia and the author peruse old photos of the ranch while enjoying the warmth provided by the pellet stove.

Sheep for Marcia's knitting

Sheep on the Appel-Lowry ranch provide wool for Marcia’s knitting projects.

All PV arrays

Four PV arrays generate electricity for the house and for water pumping. Power-conditioning equipment is housed in the insulated outbuilding behind the arrays.

Bergey & tower being raised

The wind turbines and their 82-foot-tall towers were raised into place with the help of a pickup truck.

Working on Bergey

Scott Kane of Creative Energies tightens down the blades on one of the Bergey wind turbines.

Rob, Marcia, and Willow Creek

Willow Creek, which runs through Rob and Marcia’s property, provides water for livestock and irrigation.

Beginner

Access

Molly Loomis • 208-354-0242 • molly_loomis@yahoo.com

Robert Appel & Marcia Lowry • mml245@wyoming.com

Creative Energies • www.creativeenergies.biz • RE systems dealer/installer

System Components:

Bergey Windpower Co. • 405-364-4212 • www.bergey.com • Bergey XL.1 wind turbines, controllers

Blue Sky Energy Inc. • 760-597-1642 ext. 101 • www.blueskyenergyinc.com • Charge controllers

Bogart Engineering • 831-338-0616 • www.bogartengineering.com • Battery monitor

BP Solar • www.bpsolar.com • PV modules

Conergy • www.conergy.us • Pump

Heliodyne Inc. • 510-237-9414 • www.heliodyne.com • Flat-plate solar thermal collectors

NRG Systems • 802-482-2255 • www.nrgsystems.com • Wind turbine towers

SolarWorld (formerly Shell Solar) • www.solarworld.de/sw-eng/products • PV modules

Southwest Windpower • www.windenergy.com • Air-X wind turbine

Sun Ovens International • 800-408-7919 • www.sunoven.com • Solar oven

Trojan Battery Co.• 800-423-6569 • www.trojanbattery.com • Battery bank

Xantrex • www.xantrex.com • Inverters

Zomeworks • 800-278-6342 or 505-242-5354 • www.zomeworks.com • PV array pole mounts

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