Grumpycat
Veteran Member
Par for New England, California, and Hawaii.
Started my solar project
- Thread starter orezok
- Start date
- Views: 14703
Par for New England, California, and Hawaii.
sodamo
Super Star Member
- Joined
- May 20, 2004
- Messages
- 15,793
- Location
- Big Island, HI
- Tractor
- LS XR4140H (Mine) BX2380 (wife’s)
Not our island
“The average residential electricity rate in Hilo is 42.47¢/kW.”
So glad I am off grid (since 2005). 14.08 kw of solar panels, Outback hardware, 45.6kw SimpliPhi lithium batteries, 3 backup generators (propane, diesel, gasoline). If all fail we are in the dark
“The average residential electricity rate in Hilo is 42.47¢/kW.”
So glad I am off grid (since 2005). 14.08 kw of solar panels, Outback hardware, 45.6kw SimpliPhi lithium batteries, 3 backup generators (propane, diesel, gasoline). If all fail we are in the dark
Root Cause
Platinum Member
I am building a house next year and getting more interested in solar panels. I don't live in a location to consider going off-grid but I am interested in how and why campers and motorhomes use 12v systems. (Wire costs and weight) Typically, lights, fans, USB ports, thermostat, and the water pump are wired for 12v that is, critical things you need for dry camping.
I already have a small system to power the lights for the barn and keep the RV and tractor batteries charged. Now, I am thinking about combining solar panels with emergency lighting for the house and the barn. Now, I'm trying to think of what else should be connected that isn't a big drain on a battery that would be of high value during an initial power outage.
Wondering if anyone has taken this approach?
I already have a small system to power the lights for the barn and keep the RV and tractor batteries charged. Now, I am thinking about combining solar panels with emergency lighting for the house and the barn. Now, I'm trying to think of what else should be connected that isn't a big drain on a battery that would be of high value during an initial power outage.
Wondering if anyone has taken this approach?
OP
orezok
Elite Member
OP here. My total cost for electric in my first year was $165 for actual usage. In addition about $12 per month minimum to be connected to the grid.
I switched my water heater from propane because the cost is ridiculous because there are only 2 companies out here and they know they have a monopoly. About $3.65/Gal year round. I added three 380 watt panels and it looks like I will again break about even.
I switched my water heater from propane because the cost is ridiculous because there are only 2 companies out here and they know they have a monopoly. About $3.65/Gal year round. I added three 380 watt panels and it looks like I will again break about even.
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Root Cause
Platinum Member
That is fantastic and I am envious. I am in a wooded area with maybe 4-6 hours of direct light per day. I am using a waterstove to heat the house and the water heater. Wood for me is free. Past that, I hope to follow your lead and utilize solar power where I can. Thanks for starting this thread, I am going back now to thoroughly read each post.
BackRoad
Veteran Member
To those that have implemented solar...
Do you have any trusted sources of information that can be used as a foundation for evaluating the core elements of a solar solution?
The need is to gain sufficient basic knowledge of solar to be able to wade through all the noise and avoid the $$$ seeking snake oil salesmen and marginal or shortlife hardware.
The objective is to install something that is modular and reasonably open source so it can expand or change over time as components get more efficient or improve.
Where is a good place to start?
Do you have any trusted sources of information that can be used as a foundation for evaluating the core elements of a solar solution?
The need is to gain sufficient basic knowledge of solar to be able to wade through all the noise and avoid the $$$ seeking snake oil salesmen and marginal or shortlife hardware.
The objective is to install something that is modular and reasonably open source so it can expand or change over time as components get more efficient or improve.
Where is a good place to start?
MAX-24-Dean
Veteran Member
The link below should be able to give you basic information, and advance information if you want to spend more time on technical installations.
NAZ Solar Electric Forum
Categories - An Online Community For Discussing Solar Power, Wind Power, And Other Forms Of Renewable And Alternative Energy.
forum.solar-electric.com
sodamo
Super Star Member
- Joined
- May 20, 2004
- Messages
- 15,793
- Location
- Big Island, HI
- Tractor
- LS XR4140H (Mine) BX2380 (wife’s)
Yep, that forum is a good place to start. There are others.
First are you looking at a grid tied or off grid system? No, off grid doesn’t just mean you choose not to use the power company some times. Different architectures. I’ve been off grid since 2005 with 3 completely different systems.
My first system was an open system and changed over time. The best change was going to a more integrated system, one that all the parts communicate with each other. Of course they do so in a propriety manner. If someone tells you their component fully integrates with another manufacture make them prove it. The only agnostic component would be the PV panels, maybe the batteries although they are getting smarter as well.
When you reach the point of getting a proposal or even your own design, take the time to get other eyes on it, ask lots of questions. Understand the answers before committing.
My current system is almost 2 years old, I love it, but I also know there have been many improvements in that short time.
Basically I have 14kw PV, a well integrated Outback Radian/FM80 based system with nice bank of SimpliPhi lithium batteries with both LP & diesel generators. I can monitor and control from anywhere in the world I have an internet connection on my iphone. My 1st, open system I had to see it, be able to touch it.
First are you looking at a grid tied or off grid system? No, off grid doesn’t just mean you choose not to use the power company some times. Different architectures. I’ve been off grid since 2005 with 3 completely different systems.
My first system was an open system and changed over time. The best change was going to a more integrated system, one that all the parts communicate with each other. Of course they do so in a propriety manner. If someone tells you their component fully integrates with another manufacture make them prove it. The only agnostic component would be the PV panels, maybe the batteries although they are getting smarter as well.
When you reach the point of getting a proposal or even your own design, take the time to get other eyes on it, ask lots of questions. Understand the answers before committing.
My current system is almost 2 years old, I love it, but I also know there have been many improvements in that short time.
Basically I have 14kw PV, a well integrated Outback Radian/FM80 based system with nice bank of SimpliPhi lithium batteries with both LP & diesel generators. I can monitor and control from anywhere in the world I have an internet connection on my iphone. My 1st, open system I had to see it, be able to touch it.
zoranutt
New member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2021
- Messages
- 6
- Tractor
- Revell Porsche Diesel Junior 108 Tractor Plastic Model Kit
I disagree. That 42.47¢/kW is not common among all regions. We have a rooftop solar installation and this is the best outdoor string light pole for these cases. We never wanted to support a private distributor that sets their own rates as it comes out very expensive. And I still don't like the fact that a lot of people in our sector work with this kind of companies - they put limits on the maintenance of the houses as well as the solar panels. Only one state allows these and by 2025 they have to install them in every house.
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