From the 2004-2012 season I was off grid. (my 2003 season was on my patio at home and I had grid power). I used a generator for power in 04-07. Then I started adding solar and ran on a combination of solar (battery bank) and then the generator as the battery bank started to run low. The generator also recharged the solar bank.
Then in the summer into fall on 2012 I tied into the grid, and added more solar, grid tied so I now have 6320 watts of solar, 4840 watts grid tied and 1480 watts on battery back up and grid tied. Just yesterday I turned on my second battery bank, the first one (8 @ 6v each, Trojans finally ad to be replaced). My new bank is 16 cells Lithium Iron Phosphate in series for 48V. If I have everything programmed right that bank should last longer than I will be alive.
The battery bank is only for 1 circuit, a back up heater in the RO room, used only if the propane furnace (uses no electric) and the Grid go down at the same time.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.