Alternate Power and Propane Systems
About half the people in the non-incorporated areas of Costilla
and Alamosa Counties rely on alternate systems. They usually have one to four solar panels,
one or more wind generators, a 12-v to 120v converter and a battery pack as a power source and that is usually backed up by
a 1000-w- 5000w gasoline generator.
They will have a 200-500 gallon propane tank with propane delivered on a regular
basis by several reliable local vendors ( We use Monte Vista Cooperative).
Propane is used for gas cooking, baking and heating. Many people have wood stoves and
use wood as their main heating fuel. There are regular "Woodfests" scheduled several
times each year, where people go up into private forests and cut down dead trees for firewood, and they are charged $10 per
pick-up load.
Most people are familiar with the propane refrigerators and freezers in recreational vehicles.
Full size propane refrigerators and frezers are available from Servel and other manufactures and these usually cost
$200 to $300 more than the same size electric model. These have a long life, are quite efficient, and actually cost less to
operate, than similar electric models.
A starter power system ( good for 120-watts for 4 hours) costs about $1,500.
This is enough to run a 13" TV/VCR, a couple of 14 watt flurescent bulbs,
to recharge cell phones and lap tops, and to provide a control voltage to the propane refigerator.
A medium system, ( 1500 watt-hours) professionally installed, with the solar panels
on sturdy racks, pointing in the best southerly direction, will cost about $10,000. Sunny Daze in Blanca is a reliable
vendor for these systems- more about them on our CONTRACTORS page.
A full size system, that allows microwave, vacuum cleaners, large electric motors, etc can
cost $20,000+
But all of the people that use alternate systems always comment how nice it is not to get utility
bills, other than propane.
