The transition to being off grid...

Photowhit
Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I went gradually into having electric last time I was off grid. I lived with a minimal system (200watt array) and added until I was at a 2000 watt array as I added things I wanted/needed.

1st day back off grid after a year and a half back on the grid, getting use to doing one thing at a time again, laundry (washer only), vacuum, microwave, water heater (running at 900watts 120v). ...but it has all gone well even with the rainy morning, the batteries are nearly full and will top out today. I have enough reserve to run more at once, but only have an 1800watt inverter for now, hope to add a second 1800 watt Prosine, dedicated to running an air conditioner.

Cooking might be the biggest change, can't run microwave and induction plate or toaster oven at the same time. Might even have to be sure the fridge has cycled before running the toaster oven.

The 240 volt water heater, running at 120 volts @900watts will be slow, but replacing the shower head with a low flow .5 gpm, will, and I think has, helped. I've taken 2 showers and done some dishes, and water appears hot yet. It's too big a load to leave on but I hope to hook it up to an opportunity load feature of the charge controller so it runs once the batteries are full. I only ran it for 15 minutes today to see how much energy it draws and to let the fridge cycle on to be sure there was enough 'overhead' for the high energy draw of the compressor starting up. I may turn the water heater back on after the laundry is done and see what an hour feels like. Wish I had a high temp thermometer.
Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • NorthGuy
    NorthGuy Solar Expert Posts: 1,913 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    Congratulations!

    Looks like you have much more power that is necessary for this one-at-a-time approach :D

    Are you going to setup your second inverter with AC on it as an "opportunity" load too?
    · Share on Twitter
  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    maybe the title here should've been, "learning how to unspoil myself."

    i'm curious why the complete offgrid and not do gt and sell back to the utility?
    · Share on Twitter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: The transition to being off grid...
    niel wrote: »
    ...I'm curious why the complete offgrid and not do gt and sell back to the utility?

    Utility really doesn't want to do it. Missouri is pushing for utilities to get a % of their electric from renewable sources, so things may change.

    When I checked into it 6 years ago the monthly costs were;

    $25 monthly line fee for use meter
    $25 monthly line fee for feed meter (purchased by me)

    Annually;

    Insurance for feed (unknown)
    inspection of feed meter

    They had an article in their magazine about being more welcoming, and it appeared they only wanted a single $25 monthly fee.

    I already had the large forklift battery before I purchased the 'new' place. So I can actually show it cost effective over 30 years or so after tax credit if you consider the battery free. With all costs I was around 26 cents a Kwh.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
    · Share on Twitter
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    Hi .. whit,

    Congratulations on "placing this system in service" last year, and for now just cleaning up the those remaining details. Fine work, looks nice. Now to find a really big inverter and to get on to thinking of ways to consume the inevitable excess power that comes with off-gridness. Have Fun, Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
    · Share on Twitter
  • ChrisOlson
    ChrisOlson Banned Posts: 1,807 ✭✭
    #6
    Re: The transition to being off grid...
    Photowhit wrote: »
    Utility really doesn't want to do it. Missouri is pushing for utilities to get a % of their electric from renewable sources, so things may change.

    Gosh, IMHO if you're willing to spend the money to do it and make the sacrifices, being off-grid is better. Way better. Yesterday was our off-grid anniversary here - 11 years. Frankly, if I had to live in a place with grid power today I'd be so nervous I wouldn't know what to do with myself because I can no longer comprehend depending on our power coming in thru some wires stretched to who knows where.

    You got a really nice system, a really nice battery, and you'll be just fine :D
    --
    Chris
    · Share on Twitter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    Thanks Vic, Chris, Northguy, I had been off grid with the cabin system for 4 years and 6 years before that with a tiny system. I was just celebrating 10 years when I got a heck of a deal on the 'Tin Can' and a couple acres ($12,000) and I had a change in covenants requiring me to move (residency exemption based on employment, nothing to do with Solar)
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
    · Share on Twitter
  • ChrisOlson
    ChrisOlson Banned Posts: 1,807 ✭✭
    #8
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    I was going to ask what you got for a forklift battery - a GB or Crown, or what? If I had it to do over, that's what I'd get.
    --
    Chris
    · Share on Twitter
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: The transition to being off grid...

    .......Gb.......
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
    · Share on Twitter
  • YehoshuaAgapao
    YehoshuaAgapao Solar Expert Posts: 280 ✭✭
    #10
    Re: The transition to being off grid...
    niel wrote: »
    maybe the title here should've been, "learning how to unspoil myself."

    i'm curious why the complete offgrid and not do gt and sell back to the utility?

    I got mixed-grid. Sell back and when the grid goes down (rolling blackouts due to hyperinflation & draconian government regulations), or want to load-shift TOU on-peak (inverter has daily schedule for this), or just need to cycle-exercise the flooded batteries, can operate part of the house off-grid (all 120V circuits minus kitchen & laundry plus refrigerator & chest freezer; no 220V circuits - range, AC, pool pump).
    · Share on Twitter

Categories