My Off-Grid Journey in SE Asia

[Off Grid Andrew]

Hey everyone!

As we continue to grow our Freesteading Community, I will be sharing what I have been up to over here in SE Asia. I am in the processes of building a house. Our land is small compared to most folks in the US. We have about 1/3 a acre to garden on (full property is 3,000 meters which is 3/4 an acre). Luckily the weather and soil here is very good for growing many types of plants and trees.

The raining season is here so I am watching my solar closely. I have 20KW ish in panels and 94kWh in batteries. The days are becoming more cloudy and rainy. Its funny because although its VERY dusty here (see my pic below), the rain at night has been helping to keep the panels clean. The system is not currently grid tied as the grid is so unreliable the power is too low (and dangerous) to connect it to the system. I am looking to buy a power stabilizer to fix that next week. I will share that in the off-grid forum after its installed.

Next step for us is to finally get windows beofre our house turns into a swimming pool! If you have questions I will be happy to answer!

 

[Off Grid Andrew]

Here’s an update on my solar setup -

Thread 'Solar Power in SE Asia (With New Grid Power Stabilizer)'
https://freesteading.com/threads/solar-power-in-se-asia-with-new-grid-power-stabilizer.61/

 

[packrat]

An impressive panel array! I'm envisioning you started out in The States and either secured <a regenerative revenue stream> or a Work-From-Anywhere vocation? I'd imagine healthy food not chemically dominated is acquired easier 'in town' there, than where you started out.

...What motivated you to your *Specific* homeplace in Asia, if I may be so bold to ask?

 

[Off Grid Andrew]

An impressive panel array! I'm envisioning you started out in The States and either secured <a regenerative revenue stream> or a Work-From-Anywhere vocation? I'd imagine healthy food not chemically dominated is acquired easier 'in town' there, than where you started out.

...What motivated you to your *Specific* homeplace in Asia, if I may be so bold to ask?

Great questions! My work is mostly online so living here is not a problem other than I have weird work hours (I’m awake until 3-4am each night).

I met my wife while I was traveling here and decided to stay!

The local vegetables here are more than likely healthier due to less chemical use.

I’m originally from Kansas. People are welcome to ask as much as they would like to know! If there is something I don’t want to share, I’ll just not answer that part of the question.

 

[packrat]

Sure thing! Yes, any questions you aren't comfortable with please do skip.
...Did you and your bride both come into this bilingual, and/or is this another ongoing skill acquisition? I feel like I've read that many Asian countries are significantly bilingual, with English or French being common second languages.
Are you mastering food preparation with regional ingredients, or is your bride handling the 'local expertise' side of things.
Some of these can be saved for later if it's Oh Dark Thirty for you there. What did you find to be the biggest culture shock upon arrival, and were there surprises that continue to be a source of satisfaction.
-I could see having another dedicated array running a couple of 120/240/60cycle appliances, if they are readily available from some nearby US rum facility that curates their own power source. (Importing our 'national standard' in this way used to occur with regularity where reliable power is non existent regionally)