Digital,
Do your sister a big favour and spend every minute that you have available,
learning about alternative energy, before she spends $12,000.00 on grid lines.
Solar, wind power or diesel generators are very expensive, but for 12 grand, you could set her up with a system that would be far superior to hydro. If a person was already on the grid, payback would be forever. In her situation, payback would start now. Find someone in your area that has a simular situation and ask them questions and if need be, hire someone to design a self supporting electrical system. Your Christmas gift is great, but I feel that it will only convince her to bight the bullet and purchase the expensive hydro lines. There are many experts on this site that could give you enough info to get you headed in the correct direction. Roughly, where is she located? Far north, open field, on a lake, on a hill or surrounded with trees. What is the sun angle in your area? What is the average daily wind speed, etc.? Seems to me, that this would be a dream situation for many on this board.
Fiddlehead New Brunswick