Lighting, Post 2: Off grid lighting... finally, I depart style for technical musings ; )

You may have noticed I've been musing on lighting.

Despite silly recycled lamps documentation, I am technical in nature and have been mulling over lighting, wiring, and outlets for our off grid casa ti we're building as soon as it's warm enough to pour the foundation.

Here are my thoughts:

We are doing everything possible to minimize expense and maximize efficiency.

By advance planning for outlets/wiring, we can designate it into our SIPs panels, therefore increasing efficiency and decreasing further labor.

As an off grid house, by using DC power wherever possible (not just in lighting), it is more efficient than using the inverter and eliminating the less efficient pull between the power source and power consumer.

By proposing in advance where you need lighting, you benefit by using lower voltage.

We plan to further expedite efficiency by hanging our lights from the ceiling where needed-- but the switch is not in the wall, it is in the wiring to the lamp itself! (Swag lighting) That bypasses all of the complexity of wiring, saving energy daily in use, as well as initial construction expense.

Think of the flexibility! If you want to move the dining table (uhm, I do that sometimes...) and then, the light, you simply move the hook in the ceiling and re-hang the light.

On a design note, this is a perfect opportunity to use interesting wires/steel cables that are so popular with halogen systems for visual *and* practical effect.

Taaaa-daaaa! (stands up, brushes off jeans with a satisfied smile)
Whew. My lighting musings are over.
Onward!