Off grid set up like this is easy to set up, and to scale up.
1KW Solar Panel Complete Kit: 6*180W Poly Solar Module System for RV Home Power
£792.00Given that an Antminer S7 runs at about 1300w a set up that is say 2kw (2000w) should do it. Ok, so initial outlay is high. But a solar setup doesn't wear out. The batteries need changing about every three years though. In fact, you can get solar systems that will power a house, off grid.
But I don't see or hear anyone drawing power from Solar, or Solar + Wind.
It's not impossible, and the initial outlay would be a one off cost.
Robert
read this thread
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1369207.00 batteries all mixed with grid.
no new battery is cheap enough it dies too fast for its price.
with mixed grid you completely avoid the battery issue.
but mixed grid only works in areas that the power company works with you. New Jersey , Massachusetts are good ... Wisconsin is bad.
The solar setup I am supplying the asic miners too was $$$ to set up more then 100k.
The reason we did this is the home owner solar array owner is in the solar power business. We are in NJ a good solar power state.
If you buy 3x 1000 watt panels get your charger and inverter and batteries for 3k you would be lucky and 3000 watts of panels in the best states are about 6 hours of full sun on average or ¼ or 750 watts net on an all battery system with 3kwatts of panels
So to do 1 s-7 on an all battery system you need about 6kwatt of panels translation $6000 usd and the batteries will be dead in 5 years so add 1000 more so 7000 usd for 10 years of 1.5kwatts what does 10 years of 1.5 kwatts cost form a 10 cent a kwatt power company
36 kwatts a day = 3.60 usd a day or 110 usd a month or 1320 usd a year in
5 years 6600 you spent 6000 so after 5 years you are 600 usd ahead. of the power companies fee to you
10 years 13200 you spent 7000 so after 10 years you are 6200 ahead.
now heres the problem I used 10 cent a kwatt and a s-7 no longer turns profit at 12 cents a kwatt this took about 7 or 8 months.
So while solar may turn a profit with batteries you are talking 6 years out or more.