Additional solar for the generally expected global famine?

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
The world received 30% of its fertilizer via shipping through the Straight of Hormuz. Even US farmers report being unable to buy fertilizer. My uncle recently paid $800/ton. I said “Is that high?” He said it used to be $300/ton. 

Almost all of the experts were expecting renewed aggression as of a couple days ago. 

I am a fan of frozen food for three reasons:
1) Stores for years generally speaking.
2) Tends to be high in nutrient and protein value.
3) Often easy to prepare.

Problem is the need for additional solar. I have one extra solar rack. It would not be too difficult to mount ~750 watts of panels to the west and 750 watts to the east. Being a prepper I have most of the supplies. Total cost ~$300. 

I have three unused older freezers and refrigerators that still work well. One is an extra large Maytag fridge/freezer from the 90’s. This was the Cadillac of fridges in the 90’s.  I’m sure it gobbles the energy. Especially since testing shows it drew down the inside temps quite quickly. One is a commercial freezer that also draws down temps very rapidly. One is an Energy Star Samsung fridge/freezer made in 2007. The compressor often woke me up around 430am. Possibly a defrost cycle? The frozen food always looked perfect. No ice crystals. 

If preparing for a famine one probably needs years worth of supplies. 

Got a better idea?

I tried gardening. Rabbits ate everything. They even dug up the bulbs. This area to too dry for gardening unless utilizing rainwater run off from the roof top. About 1-2’ of productive yield.

I tried hunting as well. At 67 I have pretty much lost my interest in bagging deer and elk.  

I have five fenced acres. I could feed a couple cows. But I’ve never been able to eat a critter that I took care of. Animal lover for the most part. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
· Share on Twitter

Comments

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 23 #2
    PVWatts shows 10 degree tilt to be the most productive when comparing 10 degrees vs 20 and 30 and 40 and 50 degrees. 
    750 watt array yields 1,170 kWh/annually when oriented towards the east. At 10 degrees
    750 watt array yields 1,134 kWh/annually when oriented towards the west.  “””””””””"
    750 watt array yields 1,027 kWh/annually when oriented towards the north. “”””””””””
    750 watt array yields 1,265 kWh/annually when oriented towards the south.  “””””””””"

    So adding “stilts” to the racks, for a higher angle. would be counter productive. 

    With both an east and a west array the combined total is 2,305 kWh/annually. Not bad for ~$300 and a few days of work. 

    Interesting that a south and north array at 10 degrees yields 2,292 kWh/annually. Less than a 1% difference. Within 99.4% actually. Pretty stunning I think. 

    I don’t think I need to use the usual bracing I have done in the past. The panels should be capable of holding the bottom rack and top rack in one place. Especially at 10 degrees in a protected area. 

    The PV charge controller wiring will be pretty long due to using the west side of the roof. #10 PV wiring isn’t real bad. Open Circuit Voltage is 37.3V so 112 volts combined from three panels. That will help with wire resistance losses. 

    Sound OK? 


    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 25 #3
    Flat panels give the same ~ yield.

    1,157 kWh x 2 

    But would not be as effectively self cleaning during a good rain.

    It seems that south facing panels at the proper orientation offer significant performance capabilities. If that is not an option then flat or pretty flat is generally ok. 

    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    750 watts are up though not hooked up.  At 67, this all seems a lot like work. Wind makes roof work a challenge. 

    They say that our special ally can’t quite seem to quit doing what they do. That will very likely plunge us back into war. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 25 #5
    Since the angle is only 10 degrees I am wondering if all six panels could go through a single charge controller. 
    At high noon this would be ~ 112 Volts and possibly between 30 and 40 amps. 

    Would the west panels defeat the east panels early in the morning?

    Would the east panels defeat the west panels late in the afternoon? 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter
  • mike_s
    mike_s Registered Users Posts: 169 ✭✭✭
    #6
    softdown said:

    I tried gardening. Rabbits ate everything. 
    Eat the rabbits.
    · Share on Twitter
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,078 ✭✭✭✭
    #7
    mike_s said:
    softdown said:

    I tried gardening. Rabbits ate everything. 
    Eat the rabbits.
    They are very skittish due to being constantly hunted by my dogs. When I do see them they are running away at full speed. 
    Then I have the risk of a dog incidentally intercepting the package. Or a ricochet doing damage. 
    Plus I’m not really into dressing a rabbit. A deer is worthwhile on the other hand. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
    · Share on Twitter

Categories