Solar Power Shed Project

[3RRL]

going on what 2-3 weeks now...

updates?

Yeah, I know it's going slower and slower as we near completion. Sorry about that. I did make a little more progress but the solar guy has still not put the Watsun Trackers on the poles. He is letting the concrete foundations cure for 28 days. So what do I know? I'll just have to live with it.

He did get the power pulled to a spot near where the home will be. He didn't want to put it any closer in case it interferes with grading or something like that. So it's out of the way. He's left another 150' of wire to get it into the house from here. We are thinking about using the same trench to run pipes for the propane to the house, since the propane tank will be next to the shed.

The contractor can run his electric stuff from this box.



You can tell I'm jazzed because I can plug in my MR Coffee when I'm up there working.

 

[3RRL]

I also cleaned up the tracker meadow. You can see the posts and concrete "tops" that are expose. They are small in comparison to what is holding the posts in.



I also did more grading and clean up on the adjacent site where the well is.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Great project!
Bob

 

[3RRL]

This is where he pulled the power pole for the barn/shop. It will be between the solar power shed and the well.



These are 3 of the 16 Sharp 200 modules. These 3 are hooked up now and are keeping the batteries charged. Since there is no power draw at this time, they keep the batteries full. We are using the system now for charging our 2 way radios, coffee pot, etc. Little things like that.



Just this morning I got a call from Griggs, the propane company who will install the tank next week. Then we can get the generator on line too.

A funny thing happened when the solar guy called for final inspection. The inspectors who are not familiar with "off grid" kept telling him they would need to check the system after the power company hooked up to it. They repeatedly referred to that as he was trying to explain there will be NO power company. This IS the power company. So after it finally sunk in to them, since they had no previous experience with "off grid", they signed off. LOL ... They are now going to let the solar installer help them set up guidelines for final inspection so they have something to "inspect to".

 

[3RRL]

Doc,
I read your thread about your solar project so you know what I'm going through.
Thanks for looking.

 

[monkeymonk]

Your getting me excited!

I completed my shed,pole has been in for months,concrete is 4inches shy of ground level so it can be covered with flowers,grass.
conduit is in place from pole to shed,shed to tanks,shed to house
batteries are sitting pretty covered up.
all the outback goods and panels are vacationing in the outbuilding just waiting to go on line.

AND its raining non stop for days now. Just when I was making the Big push to the finish line!

Thank goodness for Honda! weve been using our 3000eis and propane lights for eions.

You got rain down there 3rrl? sure looks like you could use some vetch,grass,cover crop on that meadow befor the rains come. could ruin your whole day driving truck/tractor on that.

Which reminds me I need to fillin the conduit trenches before they turn to race ways.

Great photos!!

 

[Doc_Bob]

A funny thing happened when the solar guy called for final inspection. The inspectors who are not familiar with "off grid" kept telling him they would need to check the system after the power company hooked up to it.

Great story.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Doc,
I read your thread about your solar project so you know what I'm going through.
Thanks for looking.

I feel you pioneer spirit! You are blazing a trail we all most take when we can.
I am guessing you get some great solar where you live?
Bob

 

[3RRL]

Doc,
We are in a great solar area according to the map. Like in the maximum area.

monkeymonk,
I had the tops put on so I could weed-eat around them instead of what you did. My stuff is wildflowers and it grows pretty tall. I don't plan on having a lawn down where the posts are. It will be a natural meadow after it rains.

We do get rain (I hope soon) and that's when everything starts growing again. I'll stay off it before then. The Watsun trackers should be installed in a couple of weeks.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hey Rob,

In the picture of you standing next to your panel, is that conduit going up into the air? And are those weather shields on top for an ariel line?

I might have the wrong name for them, but it looks like your set up for connecting to an overhead powersource. I'm confused.

What is it that your standing next to?

Eddie