On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:52:43 -0700 (PDT), John Nagelson
wrote:

Hello, I am considering taking a house 'off grid', and would be
grateful for help with some of the following questions:

1) how easy is it to run an generator fuelled by PARAFFIN(known in the
US as 'kerosene', i.e. '28sec', the type of oil used in most oil-
powered domestic heating systems in the UK)?

Diesel generators are available that will run on some grades of
paraffin.

2) how easy is it to get hold of, and run, a generator fuelled by
SOLID FUEL, e.g. coal or wood or both?

At the size you need, almost impossible.

3) how easy is it to run a generator fuelled by DIESEL? And surely if
you do, you don't have to pay petrol-station prices? Is there a legal
way to avoid paying the excise?

Easy to get a diesel generator - I have no idea whether you could
legally run it on red diesel, but it is quite likely that it would be
legal.

4) what about running an oil-fuelled generator on cheapo COOKING OIL?
Is this practicable? Is it legal?

No matter what fuel you use, it will almost certainly cost you more
just in running costs to supply a single domestic dwelling than buying
from an electricity supplier in the normal way. A big problem with a
single genny is that it must be large enough to supply your peak load.
A generator that size is very inefficient most of the day when the
load is low. There are ways to overcome that issue, but the required
equipment is so expensive that it would not save enough to pay for
itself over its expected life.

Other things to consider are cost of servicing and whether you can
install the generator in such a way that its operation 24/7 will not
disturb your neighbours.

For premises that need more electricity than a domestic dwelling,
there are ways to save on cost by *augmenting* the grid from
internally generated power. There are generators that "bolt on" to
the back end of a (very large) gas central heating system to use
energy that would otherwise be wasted, for example. An on-site
generator can also be used to sell surpluss electricity back to the
national grid. This needs arrangements to be made - not least of
which is ensuring that you do not power the grid when the mains has
been isolated by the electricity company so that they can work on the
lines!

In most locations, about the only cost-effective energy you can make
at home is from a solar powered water heater. AFAICS any other scheme
availabe at the present will cost you more than you could hope to
save.

--
Cynic