OFF-THE-GRID, CHEAP SOLAR MONTANA CABIN IN A FOREST GARDEN

Renovating a 100 year old Montana Cabin in a meadow surrounded by pine forest: Living radical simplicity in an off-the-grid, passive solar design cabin with a cheap, simple, and efficient solar electric system, food-producing forest garden, and root cellar. There is a spring above the cabin that provides gravity flow water for the cabin's one sink and the garden, two 135 W solar panels, two 275 amp hour batteries, 80 acres of pine forest to manage for wood heat addition to the passive solar gain, and a blending of old technology and new technology.
Email solar@Slate Creek Engineering.com for details on the solar system. For more on the forest garden system go to veganicpermaculture.com

[@ichoose2bhappy]

This is how these videos should be made. No smoke and mirrors just the facts. Thank you very much for your time and insight into living green.

[@adventureaisle]

How awesome is this?! I love that you're showing other women that we're also very capable of understanding things like electrical / solar systems! You're inspiring in every way!

[@MormonAll]

What wisdom and inspiration in just over 7 minutes. Enjoy Montana, we did for a while. Now we are back on the "flat land" and back to our farm. We are thankful. Thank you very much for a glimpse of your world. What a wonderful place.

[@vancamerawoman7399]

I love the gentleness and kindness evident in your life.

[@2012spacetraveler]

There are several comments left about putting a tarp of sorts over your panels which is a good idea, every time you sweep the panel you run the risk of scratching the glass and over time your panels will become less effective. Another option and I see it was mentioned was putting up a small wind mill, they are affordable and would help during those long cloudy periods during winter. Of course your bottom line is living simply and with minimum impact on the environment around you. Well done

[@kenputer56]

Panels are able to withstand 1" hail so I don't think a broom will harm them.

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

I love the idea of the indoor root cellar and the sunroom for heating. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@tr2461]

Thanks

[@Pyroduck547]

My Dream home

[@earthangel8730]

Love the cold box. EVERY home with a 4 season climate could benefit from one. I use my 2nd floor attic for something similar. Especially when the power goes out. Your respect for the creatures you share the planet with is spot on. You are living the dream.

[@mcartr2003]

Greetings, Love your video! I retired in 2010 have taken up off the grid living and love it. I now know my life goal is "Radical Simplicity". I knew what I wanted but just didn't know what it was called. Thanks

[@goose2die4]

What a beautiful place....You are so lucky to have it !

[@healthfullivingify]

Excellent video,Helen! This gives everybody, including myself who has studied all this for years but not yet DONE it a great proven PATTERN. Thanks, Helen. Love, Johnny

[@jeffreykreiley7265]

Thank you for sharing how you live, gently in the world and with dignity.

[@Love2TravelAway]

Wow I admire you for making your dream come true...its a blessing how you live...wish many of us had the courage of getting up and living life like we desire...Your fuffy friends cute,,,adorable pet...

[@rubyokosi8377]

Wished I knew how to do it.live like that😊

[@michellechristineaugust9494]

my daughters live in Missoula. Seriously thinking about making a big move and living a better life..in peace and tranquility!

[@magentaangel5531]

I absolutely love your house, and the Windows are lovely. What a peaceful, serene and close to nature life you live. Thank you for sharing.

[@tallulahbell2844]

You should have more videos. Love it and love the way you present yourself.

[@rkansas1]

Great way to live simply.I see the dog loves living that way too...lol.Nothing like the warmth of a wood stove.

[@Hilshere1]

All I can say is this is awesome! You are living the dream!

[@Ahntara123]

Your cabin and setup rules! I congratulate you and covet your lifestyle. You're an inspiration

[@mebhi2]

Of all the off grid videos I've watched, I like this one the best.....

[@bruceforster1756]

My compliments on the Propane Stove. Only 20 gallons per year to cook is FANTASTIC! I REALLY want to learn more about that filter for the Modified Sine Wave Inverters. I have ONE light in my home that does not work with my 1500 Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter. I DON'T buy the Carbon Footprint Bull Squat, OR the "Peak OIL" crap. I KNOW otherwise where Oil is concerned. That having been said, I genuinely applaud what you're doing. In these uncertain times, ANY thing we can do for energy independence is Right On!

[@Laura32562]

Please do more of your place, alot of us are trying to go simpler and your video shows us a glimmer of how to, one of the best videos i have seen. You have simply done it and minimized the technology of the idea of solar and simplicity to something easily understandable, please do more videos. Of you, your garden, your green house, your cooking..

[@americanbluejacket209]

A very nice setup. I have a similar one and understand how much work and effort it takes to get it working so well. Once a person is properly setup, it's a breeze. Thanks for sharing.

[@charlesfulmer6482]

This is one the best videos I've seen on this topic, very well organized, informative, and aesthetically pleasing.

[@StarryHilder]

some real neat simple ideas. i love the cold box and the root cellar idea. we live off grid and place our fridge outside during the winter. for the most part it does pretty well, but then the issue is warmer days and or too cold freeze days. so i try to clean the fridge out and keep just the necessities in it. We are your neighbors in idaho. Should do more videos and udates

[@angiekrajewski6419]

Starry Hilder hi Starry .i have heard that in idaho people can’t grow gardens..is this true?...

[@frankleon-guerrero2461]

My new dream of living out in the country completely off the grid. You have done an incredibly a Beautiful job! I hope to continue learning more. Blessings

[@SoulSurvivorX2]

Fantastic place you have there. Thanks for sharing :)

[@jrnjacobsen3999]

I couldn't call it 'radical simplicity', but I would call it *AWESOME*, and exactly what I would do if I could. thanks for the tour.

[@SoulSair]

Absolutely in love with this setup. Updates would be so easy to make if you wanted to. Amazing.

[@gamingSlasher]

Very good presentation. Well done and a beautiful house.

[@judichristopher4604]

Yes... Very Cozy... she has a warm Heart too.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Interesting. And her eloquence is very much appreciated. I can't tell you how many times I've had to listen to others interject "uh" ahd "umm" in their speech which makes me want to pull my hair out.

[@charlesgraham9954]

When have alil 18×24 cabin. I ruff cut all my 6×6s. I did use cement to get the cabin 18" off the ground. I also used spray in foam in between my 10" floor joyses and between the rafters i have 10" and ontop of that i blow in the rest. Over kill iknow. Im not getting younger so i want low maintenance. I like how simple ur solor set-up is. Good for u guys. Looks awesome. U should be proud and happy.

[@MrsMika]

Love your home and the simplicity of your solar set up.

[@jalleman61]

This is impressive.I live in central Pa. and have a hand dug cold cellar that we have used for years.Anything from our fall harvest goes in there including all root veggies to apples that stay thru the winter.You may ask why, and I would have to say that I can and that its free.Just one of life's simple pleasures.Job very well done. Jack

[@AgrarianDreams]

I sold my organic vegetable farm of 18 years, work 1/2 time consulting and live on 80 acres of family land.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Please make more videos. You have a lovely way of speaking and sharing ideas.

[@sunsensational]

Very nice and cozy. I love the independence and solitude your lifestyle provides.

[@farnorthhomested844]

very impressed! I like the fact that a women is showing this whole video. not many women can deal with this way of life. hope to see more of your videos!

[@franek_izerski]

And such an attractive woman..

[@blairbushproject]

They have industrial size window squeegees and you can get a pole for it and run a screw to attach it. And viola. We use it for a tarp that we have for rain catchment. In the winter the snow collects. When it melts we squeegee it and use the ice chunks in our cooler. And scraping the panels is so easy breezy. We also use the snow and shovel for watering the plants in our greenhouse.

[@michaelfrazer1807]

Beautiful beautiful thank You for sharing. Oooo how I miss Montana.

[@Tarten46]

very,nice marriage of old school and new. strikes a really cool balance. well done!

[@miracleshappen4483]

Great woman, amazing dog and perfect dwelling for a person like me!

[@missmamtube]

What a beautiful home you have. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you and yours !

[@jaronensley]

I demand more in depth videos from you at once. Love your place!

[@popoqwer]

Radical Simplicity! LOVE IT!

[@dobe762]

Great video, I love your cabin, nice to see things done on a practical budget, please do more videos!

[@larryjacobs5713]

Absolutely amazing and simple. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate your sharing.

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

What a great system you have there. I admire you for what you have achieved.

[@normbograham]

Cool. I like that you have two systems in the house, ac and dc and do not needlessly convert from DC to AC. I'm sure you also have the generator somewhere, for those times when you need alot more power.

[@saidharrachi4344]

I'm a fan and hope to do this very soon. I will be referring to you. thanks for sharing and spreading organic living w/ the rest of us. May the sun shine on your house and your garden always!

[@TheMrKrause]

Very nice cabin. Simple solar setup. Good use of solar heating too.

[@YlvaBjarnson]

I love that cabin. I love everything about it!

[@LaikaMuttnik]

That looks comfy and peaceful.

[@InvisibleCitizen]

Thanks for the very well organized simple video. I love your cabin and its simple off grid foot print. I purchased a 60 year old cabin about 4 years ago and have added a 12 volt wiring system to it along side the 120volt. I am not totally off grid but but very close. I have been reducing my foot print over time and will be there some day. After a bad tornado a few years ago I got to experience true off grid for many weeks and all went well.

[@kjkbnapier]

180 amps is not5 bad really. I would prefer to have around 350 or more but living basic your doing awesome. I love to watch your videos.

[@hasdrubal121]

Why not cover the solar panels at night with a tarp. It would be easier to just pull it off in the morning and protect the panels for longer. Nice vid thnx

[@theopinion9452]

hasdrubal121 She is getting some excercise while cleaning the panels?

[@yonmoore]

Haha a fine option that simply begs the question would you rather spend your time dealing with a tarp morning and night or booming off your panels after a snow in the morning. Either option will provide the same results.

[@CriticalRoleHighlights]

@@theopinion9452 She could just walk a few laps around the cabin instead.

[@CriticalRoleHighlights]

@@yonmoore "Dealing with a tarp"? How much work do you think it really takes just to remove a tarp and put it back again? First off, she still has to walk out to the panels regardless Secondly, solar panels need to be pretty much pristine in order to run effectively so it takes a lot more time brushing them off properly than it does removing a tarp from the now already debris free panels.

[@johnmendoza5907]

Food for thought.

[@Parmesana]

I love your place.. just watching this made my soul happy

[@sliverson2114]

Thank you for sharing your home with us! I look forward to convincing my husband to move our 6 person family off the grid!

[@jeanineadele]

Yes, it is you, I saw this video on your website vegan permaculture. Good to see you are still making videos because you always share good information.

[@hobokengar]

That was quite enjoyable to watch. I wish you continued good luck.

[@OffGridInvestor]

reminds me A LOT of me. i am in a place over 100 years old, surrounded by nature ( had a koala here a few weeks ago ), with a small solar rig. got a separate solar rig for a 12V fridge (used only 1.1Ah for the whole day a few days back). got the wood heater going behind me right now ( autumn here in oz and getting cold ).

[@FreeLovingAmerican]

Love the off grid idea. Been doing it myself for about 3 years now. Your solar is in great need of a proper charge. To adequately charge a 370aH system, you should be bulk charging at between 7% and 13%. Generally 10% is used, so you should be charging at 37 amps. At your current rate of usage and with that setup, your batteries will die FAST.

[@BillMontana]

Wonderful. You're doing great and living the good, clean life. Excellent and inspiring video. Thanks for sharing.

[@AgrarianDreams]

Not much wind, good idea. Integrated systems are the best.

[@TheBillythekid2010]

This is the best off grid 12volt living I have ever seen! Thanks for sharing and I hope to see more of this type of living from you.

[@KB1EPA]

I love the solar panel set-up. The video is very informative. Thank you for sharing,

[@rosenwo]

I like your doggie..the dog stole the show..and the deer..

[@stevew8191]

You've done a very good job there. The one thing I'd suggest is to build a box or baffle around the batteries, and vent them outside. The electronics in the same space , especially directly above the batteries is a safety issue. Flooded lead batteries expel flammable hydrogen gas as they charge, and any spark could cause a fire or explosion. Your place is beautiful.

[@58_Powermaster]

Very nice setup you have there. Thanks for sharing!!

[@kristenthebarber2505]

I love it. You are getting away from the damage of the modern day. My husband and I want to get off the grid too =) Thanks for such a wonderful and educational vid!!!!!!

[@MrEndz00]

Really admiring what your doing I wish we all could do the same.

[@TheBill70800]

whimsical exterior looks good

[@towlebucket]

This is my dream and you have done a fantastic job of both harvesting resources, as well as utilizing them. Color me jealous!

[@DickPoleman]

one of the more interesting videos on this topic and i would love to see/hear more from her regarding the garden, root cellar, cold box, greenhouse/front room, acreage, cost, etc.....at any rate, informative video and very nice cabin

[@AirMarksman]

I love it. I would love to have something like that. I have been designing something like this for myself for a few years. Including the 12v light set up. I have lived on sailboats off and on for years and I just figured I would implement that electrical system right in to a nice small cabin. So happy to see another person doing what I want to do.

[@rebeccasmith9536]

I love Montana summers! Thanks for sharing.

[@dassschuppen4712]

I agree with 1962moe, would love to see more about your simplistic lifestyle. We are not there yet, but working our way to live debt-free and to simplify our life in Texas.

[@_haabb_]

Beautiful! I am planning on selling my apartment and buying a cabin, that I can renovate to be simple and off-grid. Very nice setup!

[@michaelplesch]

I"m very impressed and I take my hat off to you for brave enough in doing it. LIving off the grid. Thank you for sharing and woof!

[@homesteadformyfamily]

we are currently building our own off grid cabin and are using your root cellar in the floor and cold fridge in our kitchen design! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@MsSomeonenew]

You could also put a couple of large mirrors next to the solar panel for winter time. much cheaper option and should provide a decent boost of light onto the panels.

[@FISHBREATHH]

Excellent video and a great message. Less in many cases is more. Take care

[@northwoodstrapper8778]

Great video, I have a cabin off the grid I plan on living in as soon as I can get my loose ends finished. This was great help.

[@cathyknight7981]

Nice Self Sufficient cabin! Perfect !

[@reahalea1]

Wonderful vid! We have been giving much thought to moving to that area and want to live off grid as well. You show that it can be done. Thank you!

[@marywebber854]

In the early 1950's, living in San Francisco, we had an Ice Box. The Ice Man would deliver a big square of ice! Us kids would run after him and catch the drips. He swung it over his back, which he had a rain coat type jacket on. :)

[@NoProGoPronto]

Absolutely beautiful! I can feel your spirit thru my computer. (not solar powered sad to say :) ). I wish we ALL could come together as a country and live this way. We have taken enough from nature. Now it's time to give back!

[@susanhoward2906]

Love your place, so smart. Well done.

[@runimashley]

I love your home. I want to live like this when I'm old enough to buy my own house.

[@josephdupont]

You could also use reflectors to help enhance the the amount of energy you get in the winter

[@andreawiggington4655]

Thanks for the video, gave me some wonderful ideas as did some of the comments. LOVE the idea of the passive solar greenhouse and am going to implement it at some point..am about a month away from starting my off grid living adventure.

[@cindimiller290]

Thank you for the great info. We are planning to move to MT from WA, to a very rural house in the mountains. There is so much to learn. Thanks.

[@PauloFerreira-wp2it]

Thank you for sharing. Greetings from Brazil

[@katv3607]

Very nice. Looking to do the same - solar, lrg garden and living with nature. Wonderful job ❤️

[@silviavoss6411]

thank you for sharing,wow!

[@gaetanproductions]

Really nice, good going !

[@alisonaddicks1584]

A glass squeegee is more effective for cleaning snow from solar panels.

[@econewpower]

Excellent design, you're an amazing woman for sure. Thanks for sharing

[@josephdupont]

During the winter you can use heat pipes and Freeze ice inside your home the minimize the use of your freezer

[@elhijode3543]

A lucky woman: off the grid and with a dog company!!!!!...God bless you...

[@brunningwolf]

Living in big sky Montana is like living in heaven really