Off Grid Solar After Four Years: Building a Solar System That Works!
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2024-07-09に共有
Other appliances, such as our standing freezer and water heater, run on propane. Basically, we enjoy all the modern conveniences that we used to have in town but with a different mindset. Utilizing the power of the sun demands an awareness of our system’s limitations and mindfulness regarding our usage.
Everyone living off grid does it with their own goals in mind and everyone does it differently. Some families require more than our 2700 watts to run their home, while others need a lot less. Some people chose to have someone else design and install their solar system while others, like us, prefer to do it ourselves – and pay a lot less!
Four years and many Kilowatt hours later, we’re going to share the details of our system, what we’ve learned, mistakes we’ve made, and how it’s going running our own personal utility company.
コメント (14)
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The biggest argument I've heard against lead acid battery banks is the required maintenance. When you consider that power companies have entire teams of people working 24/7 to maintain a power system, spending a few hours one day per month doesn't seem like that much to ask for energy independence. For us, it works. What kind of system do you have? What kind are you thinking of getting and why? Thanks for watching!
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Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.
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I understand working on a budget and doing what you can. I have been researching the last few years on what I want to do, but when I think it's time to pull the trigger, prices have changed, new technology has come out and then it's back to the drawing board. I am looking at about a 12-16Kw of PV input, with 48volt 120/240 inverter(s), and about 60Kw of battery storage. Prices are coming down on solar panels and LiFePo battery technology is getting better, and able to store more amperage. Always thinking ahead and knowing it would be best to build in stages. First stage would be to build a system about half the size to get it up and running (need the 220v for my well). And if you plan ahead, it's easier to upgrade. One 48v 314ah battery unit, can be put together for about $2,300, less if you build your own case. Add a good All-in-One inverter/charger (120/240) that can handle 6,000 watts can be purchased for ~$1,400. Then it's getting (16) 400 watt panels for ~$2,500. The panels I'm looking at are a little more expensive, because I'm planning on getting Bifacial panels. Adding these figures together sounds great for around $6,000, but I know better than just putting those numbers together. There is the cost of building a racking system to mount the panels, I don't plan on putting the panels on my roof. It would save me money, but direction and the boost in home insurance isn't worth it. Plus, Bifacials will give you power off the backside as well as the front. Adding all the wires and miscellaneous small hardware that would go into putting it together, I figure at least another $1,500, and that is just to get stage one up and running. Stage two would be adding another 16 panels, another inverter, and one, two, three more batteries. I'm one of those DIY type of guys with enough background to put it all together, just getting up in age. I figure after it's done, I will have invested about $15k in a system that will give me a 100 amp service, and after that I can even build onto even more if i need more power.
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Great video! Lead acid is basically freeze proof. Lifepo4 is coming down in price and they do have low temp protection. The problem with the low temp protection is you can’t charge or discharge if it is too cold 41 degrees for charging, 0 degrees for discharge. I have a desert cabin (weekend off grid), it gets below 41 degrees in winter so using lifepo4 concerned me. I went lead acid but have since added lidepo4 systems. My main bank is LA to run a full size fridge/freezer. I have a Victron 24-24 volt dc to dc charger. If I’m using a lot of watts on my lead acid system the Victron will add charge overnight from the lifepo4 to the lead acid batteries. It’s the best of both worlds. The lifepo4 can hold a charge for a long time so it makes a great backup power supply.
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A great DIY setup that suits your needs. I will be looking to do the same, However, I am looking at 220v only, not 110v. My only concern on your system is the coils of wire ygat you have. If you have high currents through those coils, they might overheat and eventually break down the indulation I have experienced a wire overheat and breakdown. When it was touched, it caught fire. My suggestion is to remove any excess coiled wire.
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I GA I have to have alot of panels 9 wow I have to have double that
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Make sure your wife understands the system and what you would replace things with. Maybe keep an eye out for used solar equipment. You have some good equipment but they might have problems.
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I am 4 minute into the video,and i did the oposite what you are telling there.....i went from propane to electric oven,and cooktop BECOUSE i have solar power.....it was too expensive before,now its free...system spec 5600w/h solar,5kw victron inverter and 20kw battery,built by me and father,more than enough for everything...oh also got 2 air conditioner that works every day all day,except the nights after 2am,when i go to bed.On mornings we wake up with around 74% battery...so i dont undersyand what you talk about so far xD oh,mine was 12k euros total,down to the last screw and cable.
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Nice ssytem tho,i have lithium,but i built only last year...i like your lead acid bateries too! also the things is that we got grid here,so i didnt need to invest in the generator,it didnt make much sense,so i use the grid as backup only in vinters ofcourse...
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wowooowowo isnt 32 Volts are a bit too high for lead acid charging??? i chatge my lead acids with the victron recommended settings with 28 volts on absorb,and it goes back to 27.1 on float...but 32? never seen that before anywhere else O_O
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Solar got cheaper for me, 2023 my 2790w array, mount, wire, fuses etc $2000 CAD , July 15 2024, 3.3kw array $2000 CAD. If you ever need to replace those batteries or add more, Pb C batteries are Agm glass mat but the lead is covered in carbon. Nareda tested their batteries, 100% discharge, 2 hr rest , 100% charge and repeat 800 times passed the extreme test or 3200cycle@50%. Even safer than lead acid and these can't thermal runaway like every lithium product made, and you could charge/discharge 11kw, no bms , equalizers, or heaters. 48kw $9600USD , 15 year life on average. 6v 400A available, I use 12v 250A. Pb C battery maintenance is full charge every 30 days. The amount of overcast power I can get from a 2790w array is over 750w, a few more panels you could let your generator take a few years off.
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They use lithium ion in cars, they can burn and explode ... lithium iron phosphate is what you mean, I hope
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https://youtu.be/NFpAigNkqTk This may be helpful if you have a battery to die/short out. He used a 100 watt solar panel to recover old batteries. Signature solar in Texas has 100 watt panels for $50 at times, grape solar. I am thinking about using the luxpower all in ones and the eg4 batteries. Things have changed over the last few years. Keep up the good work and stay young.
