Buying a new construction, need ideas

[ZombieSoldier01]

We are in the process of buying a new construction home down here in Georgia. We can't have any type of livestock, so I'm looking for ideas for planting. What would you plant? I can do fruit trees, as well as fruits and veggies, remember its very sandy soil where I live... Ideas, GO!

Also thinking of doing some solar panels. How many and what size would I need to run a 2100 sq ft house?

[Tater Raider]

Check county extension on what grows in your area. Take in a soil sample to check pH and if it needs augmentation.

On solar, I'd build with the intent to install solar but not install it. I'd go all electric appliances. I'd then monitor power consumption for a year, keeping one eye always on how to reduce it because that's where you make your biggest gains. After that, take your yearly consumption to some experts and talk to them about active solar and solar/wind hybrid systems.

This builds what you need without the guesswork and leaves you tied into the grid to sell power when you don't need it and buy power when you're short with an eye towards your annual bill being under $25. Toss in an emergency generator just in case the grid goes down on a cloudy (and possibly windless) day to run the bare essentials.

Also when building, if code requires R-25 for attic insulation go R-30 or more. Exterior walls require 2x4's? Go 2x6. And so on.

Now if I misread (me? nevah!) and the home is already built do everything up to the "Also when building" bit.

raptor has a write up on figuring out the money side of solar somewhere in here. It's a very good read I highly recommend finding.

[ZombieSoldier01]

the house is extremely energy efficient. it was deigned with that efficiency in mind. that is why we went with this house and this builder. they did a leak down test on the house. in order to qualify as a high efficiency it had to have a 6 or less. mine scored 4.3

[Kutter_0311]

So it's already built, then? Then I won't bother to suggest hardening it against home invasion...

I hope to build in the next few years, but I have some ideas to work out so my family is safe while I'm gone...

[ZombieSoldier01]

It's already built. We walked into the deal when it was 95% complete

[TacAir]

Looks like you are about 100kM from the ocean. The town airport has an elevation of under 100 ft.
May I assume the roof has hurricane strapping?

How long do you expect to be stationed at Ft Stewart? Any investment should be done with an eye to an immediate payback vs a payback period of 7 to 10 years owing to possible transfer. A solar system with a grid-tie interface will likely give the quickest, but as Raptor has pointed out, solar is rarely a good investment for anything but a multi-year payback.

Congrats on your new home! We were married for nearly 20 years before our first home buy....

[ZombieSoldier01]

Actually the house is 16miles from the physically ocean