wiring new house for DC in Madagascar: is it worth it?

[Sambeeton]

We are building a new house off grid in Madagascar. Is it worth putting the tv, computers, and lighting on a DC network, or will the cost be more than using an AC network and a convertor?
Thanks,
Sam Beeton

[inetdog]

We are building a new house off grid in Madagascar. Is it worth putting the tv, computers, and lighting on a DC network, or will the cost be more than using an AC network and a convertor?
Thanks,
Sam Beeton

If the power requirements of the electronics and lighting are very low and are at a voltage which makes sense for your off grid system (in other words probably 24 or 48 volts rather then 12 volts!), then you can use reasonably small copper wiring.

If you have to power larger loads, the cost of the larger copper wire throughout the house and the lower efficiency because of the voltage drops will cancel out the higher cost and power drain from using an inverter and supplying AC. You will also be less limited in the electronics you buy if you can supply AC to them.

[Sambeeton]

If the power requirements of the electronics and lighting are very low and are at a voltage which makes sense for your off grid system (in other words probably 24 or 48 volts rather then 12 volts!), then you can use reasonably small copper wiring.

If you have to power larger loads, the cost of the larger copper wire throughout the house and the lower efficiency because of the voltage drops will cancel out the higher cost and power drain from using an inverter and supplying AC. You will also be less limited in the electronics you buy if you can supply AC to them.

Thanks for your help,
Sam