Hi,

i am the proud but confused owner of a very small island in the atlantic ocean off the coast of panama.

the island has no services and we need a system that will provide us with adequate power to run significant airconditioning, lighting cooking etc for a planned 2600sq ft home.  it is fair to say that a combination solar and geothermal system is the way to go?

for costings and getting materials there from the US its no problem, i am still resident there.

other island owners in the bay are using gas generators etc which really destroy their enjoyment, imagine the peace and quite but then the racket of the generator and having to bring in the gas by 5 gallon drums by boat.  and the cost works out to about 6.50 a gallon after delivery etc.

also, any suggestion as to water?  we will have a rainwater catchment system but would love to be able to generate more water somehow....   help!!  best answers get an invitation to come visit!

  

Click on the advertiser sites on this page for a place to start, regarding solar power. You may want to use a Reverse Osmosis system for some of your fresh water production. Cooking might best be done with propane gas. Your house design will have a dramatic affect on energy requirements. I would think natural breezes might keep your home comfortable if they can flow through the house. This is the time to meet your neighbors and see what works for them and what does not. Good luck, and have fun!

Let me know if you're in the market for solar LED accent/pathway lighting. We've done some great stuff in remote locations.

Yes, and maybe no. I would Super Insulate to reduce your cooling needs. Solar is the way to go, and possibly you can augment that with some wind power. An attention to design, may be your best bet. Possibly semi-underground, and eaves to prevent direct sunlight. Geo requires copious amounts of electricity, so I would concentrate on ways of eliminating the heat gain first.

In the Bahamas most are built on top of the ground. I've been in one that was cut into a cliff - with a wow! view. that one was quite cool and they opened it up to ventilation in the evenings to cool it down. (Eluthera, Northwest end)
Check the water temp of a dug well (at the bottom) or a drilled well (run the tap for 2-3 minutes)(water the tomato plant)
that might give you an idea of possible temps. Goggle Malcom Wells as he was the modern "father of underground homes"
and you may have an interesting option to a conventional home. (Build a screen room above ground to have an entrance area and provide a ventilation air chimney.)
Moisture control will be your biggest problem. As mentioned above - trade winds may indeed give you 365 days of windpower. You may live long enough to become tired of maintaining batteries, but they will be needed for either wind or PV. Heating water is a good way to dump excess electricity - also running a dehumidifier/heatpump/airconditioner or refrigerator.
As correctly stated above - geothermal is complex, energy intensive, and maintenance nightmare in the islands. I shudder to contemplate running it with PV or wind. Treat a passing retired couple in their sailboat to a dinner and hear tales of how to live with less.
I talked with a Bloke on Eluthera that had been fixing his powerboat for over 2 years! He kept getting the wrong parts and also waiting - and waiting --- and waiting. Keep it simple!
Propane for cooking and for the refrigerator and one gas mantle backup light is another must in the kitchen.

You own the whole island? Or do you mean you have a plot of land on the island? What is the elevation of where you planning to build your dream house.

Looks like this thread may have died but there is a new technology which might make the project feasible. There was a link some time ago on the SIP site. It looks like they have not gotten to far along, but perhaps they are close to delivering solar at a fraction of the cost: http://www.johanna-solar.com/en/index.shtml