Build a Solar House on Wheels

Contest Info:
My name is LaMar Alexander. I am  a long time off-grid homesteader, architectural draftsman, designer and builder of small efficient off-grid homes. I have published several books on building small solar cabins and installing solar and wind power and creating passive solar appliances. My website is (www.simplesolarhomesteading.com)

I started designing small inexpensive solar cabins because I have seen a real need for people that do not have much money to own a home and there is a need in rural areas that are not grid connected for homes. With the housing market meltdown and many people out of work and many people moving where the jobs are I now see a need for a mobile solar home on wheels that will be better than a camper for long term living and has the same features as a conventional home but much less expensive and is big enough for 4 adults or a family of 5 with children.

This design could also be used for emergency housing and would be more efficient than the campers that were used after the Katrina disaster and it would provide sleeping, cooking and shelter space for 6 adults. Aproximately 90,000 US soldiers may be returning home in the next few years from Afghanistan and the jobs and homes they had no longer exist and they will need a place to live and start over where there is work. This design would be perfect for that purpose.

The Solar House On Wheels is designed to be built by anyone with basic carpentry skills for under $20,000. It utilizes an 8 X 20 tandem axle HD trailer commonly available. It has a full bathroom with shower, galley kitchen with propane stove, microwave, full size fridge and over/under washer dryer.

There is a living area with a pull out queen size couch bed. Under the bed is water tank and pump storage. There are lofts on both ends for two more queen beds.

The power system would be solar electric and six 200 watt panels are attached to the roof. Batteries and propane tanks are stored in the nose at the front of the house.

There is a huge amount of interest in these small houses on wheels but the plans being sold are too expensive and the designs do not allow for enough room for a family and would require a grid tied power system. My design is more open and has more sleeping space and full size appliances with a built in power system for rural areas, off-grid or emergency shelter use.

Other home on wheel designs are generally not useable by older people or people with disabilities and I have designed the Solar House On Wheels to have wider walkways, walk in shower, wider doors and a bed downstairs so older people and people with disabilities do not have to climb into a loft bed.

I am a writer and I have published Ebooks and I own a small local business so I have the business experience to make this venture work. My plan is to create an Ebook and printed book that includes step-by-step plans for constructing the Solar House On Wheels including installing the solar electric power system, propane system, water, sewage, and appliances.

The plans will include detailed schematics for all systems, step-by-step construction instructions, lots of options and I will inlude the complete Sketchup file so anyone can use the free Google Sketchup drafting program to modify the Solar House On wheels to fit their needs. You will be able to change colors, materials, dimensions, and add any feature you desire. You will be able to walk through the design and see it in 3D and make changes before you build!

I need $20,000 to build the prototype Solar House On Wheels and $5,000 for Ebook and printed book creation and marketing/advertising.  The prototype solar house on wheels will be used as a demonstration model and this would also be used as a traveling marketing tool at fairs, home shows, colleges and events.

I have a website already set up to market the plans with over 30,000 subscribers and will also create a series of DVD videos of the building process and market the plans as an Ebook, printed book and on DVD.

I have a youtube account (www.youtube.com/solarcabin) and presently have over 2 million views and over 100,000 subscribers and potential customers for these plans and I am an active member on numerous small house and solar forums to promote the ebooks and I intend to use paid promotion in magazines like Mother Earth News to promote the plans. I will also use my youtube, websites, forums and facebook to promote the plans.

I plan to sell these plans very inexpensively so everyone can afford them and the Ebook would be $10. Printed book $25 and DVD $15. This is a reasonable amount that most people can afford.

I will travel with the solar house on wheels to colleges and events and use the house as a teaching tool to educate people to this style of living and to the use of solar electric power and alternative energy systems.

I believe this project will give many people an opportunity for independence from a house payment and utility bills and freedom to live where they want in a comfortable and efficient home at a reasonable cost.

This is a very worthwhile project and I hope you will help me with this vision.

Sincerely,

LaMar Alexander