I live in rural Ecuador (see the ecolodge we have built:
www.blacksheepinn.com) and we currently have a submersible pump connected to two 85-watt solar panels that are lifting water up over 200 feet. We are using this water for irrigation of a garden, also for a 100 meter long water slide and a small fountain/sheep watering hole.
I have been researching the possibility of converting our entire property to solar power; we are currently connected to the grid. Instead of creating the typical battery based system, the idea struck me to build a large reservoir high up on the property and to pump water on a larger scale (with a larger pump or a series of small pumps) during the day, and then run the water back down through micro-hydro to create power. This would avoid save the expense and the hazard of a large battery bank; as there are no recycling programs in Ecuador.
If we can replace 4 refrigerators with propane, then our daily electrical use is approximately 5 KHW. My questions are how much water would I need to store? I have seen micro hydro plants but I do not understand if there is some sort of electric relay that would physically open and close a water valve when there is a specific electrical demand.
Have you ever heard of anyone using water to store energy for a small home based system?
Thanks for any advise that you can give.
All the best from the Andes,
Andres