I'm just beginning my journey into solar, but I was recently given some advice on location that many will overlook. Placing the panels on your roof is often the most aesthetic and space-saving. However, the panels will need to be cleaned at least a couple of times a year, and as you age, you probably don't want to keep climbing up and down ladders.
we had a storm with softball size hail and there is a house local that had solar un till that storm on there roof now they have a lot of busted up solar pannels
@@ShalomShalom-d5c I know of a solar installer in NC putting in ground mounts all the time. Do you live within city limits? I don't think they can force you to put them on your roof if you live out in a rural area.
I got into solar as a hobby when my wife bought me a 100 wat kit, I found it brilliant that I could light up all my garages and sheds and only one light in my house I also have a led 12 v infra red light in the garden that uses a lot of the power because I have a bat which keeps turning the light on which I’m presuming for insects attracted by the light,, I bought a cheap diesel generator for £50 an old nackered but it’s so reliable, I make my own diesel from chip fat oil, so it costs virtually nothing to produce I have to recharge my battery’s in the winter about once every 3 days but it cost virtually nothing, I’m having so much fun with this setup and I’ve just bought some more panels and a couple of battery’s so more fun to come,
Very well done video Eric. My background as a electrician/ controls technician in a large power plant was very beneficial when I got into solar, but even so I studied the systems for a couple years before actually purchasing and installing my system.
A lot of great info, however... I'm in year 7 of operating a 15kw pv, 121kwh battery, 24,000w inverters off-grid system and agree with everything you said plus there's more to learn. However, for a beginner... and I mean this in the most kind way I can as you are rock solid / honest info / the best!.... this was too much info with too little structure / links to resources. I've found over the years that joining a good forum such as Will Prowse's "DIY Solar Power Forum" and diving into reputable youtube channels such as yours! (Will Prowse, and others) and following along + self educating for a while can lead to a better understanding of all these topics and why they matter. Perhaps you could follow up with resource links, forum(s), channels that you would endorse for self-education. And, if one finds they aren't interested in self-education / solar topics - then perhaps lean toward hiring someone to do the work rather than DIY.
Thank you. I totally understand. I do have over 50 videos on solar where I have broken down some of these individual topics and given references. In this video I was trying to do a summary. I have covered every concern you have in this comment. Will's solar form is amazing and I learned a lot from reading the threads there. Sometimes the discussions can be so advanced (electrical engineering level) that beginners can get lost there easily. I will add more resources in the description of the video but TH-cam is having trouble (again) on it's back end allowing creators to add some links, etc in the description. I will continue to work on that for this video.
I have been looking at solar for the last couple of years and have decided what my plan is. I am setting up solar as primary and the grid as backup and trifuel generators as backup of my backup. I installed an Ecoflow Ultra 18000 watts for battery because it gives me all the automations and remote access I need and meets all my needs for one day of power discounting Central air. Here in the north - central air is nice but unnecessary. My goal is to have the system pay pay for itself in 7 to 10 years while being able to maintain my life style in case of a grid down situation. My perspective is to have an insurance policy that will keep me comfortable in my own house when the grid goes down and pays me back for my investment. I don't know of any other insurance that will do that.
This is great information! I designed and installed my own small system 3 years ago. My intention was to have a backup solar system that would lower our electric bill and provide emergency power. It's a 240 volt split phase system with 3800 watt adjustable ground mount system. Coupled with 14kw battery backup it works extremely well. I can double the PV arrays and allowed for that expansion when I design it. We are still grid tied and will continue to use the grid because it runs our heatpump for AC and electric clothes dryer. Best advice for beginners is well represented in this video. Understanding the importance of wire sizing and the effect of temperature to solar panel output is essential to understand for anyone installing their own system. Even though our system is small it works flawlessly and produces about 65% of our electric consumption yearly. Our next step will be to add another 3800kw of PV arrays and a soft start switch to our heatpump. This will allow us to operate 100 % off-grid if needed. Solar is not a perfect energy solution but it does give you an option to at least have a good backup system for emergencies and lowering your grid power consumption. We did on a fixed income and have to save to purchase all the components before completing our system. It's a good investment and we are pleased with the end results. This is a great video and every beginner interested in Solar system installation can benefit from the information GREAT 👍 JOB
On a safety note.. It should be said and reminded to anyone working around lethal quantities of power (voltage x amperage). IT IS WISE to remove any and all of your conductive bling (rings, bracelets, pendants, bondage chains.. etc..)! One incidental, yet inattentive cross of a wedding ring between a hot terminal and a ground wire or terminal and you can say hello to the ER and good by to that troublesome finger!! Better yet.. wear non-conductive, insulating gloves.
Good job covering pretty much all the basics. I'm about five years into my PV setup, and this year is the first year since it was installed that I haven't tinkered with or added to it. However, I have considered adding 6 to 8 more panels to my ground mount. My grid tie buyback is about 1:6 now. They give me ~ 2.4 cents per kWh and charge me ~ 14.5 cents per kWh. I can zero out my bill and then get credit for next month. But now that I have an EV that also charges, that EV truck sucks down a lot of Sun!
Most solar DIYers are looking to save money first and foremost. I am an avid DIY guy and I buy my stuff off ebay and marketplace and have found excellent deals. I have found it is best to over panel and not stress so much on checking every efficiency box. It seems that most important thing to learn is to get way more batteries than you think you need.
Great video..... I live in the Philippines and am building a small house in an areea without electricity. I only need 12k per day.,... I feel very overwhelmed trying to learn all this stuff ...
For low to no electricity bill, think it depends on where you live and how big your system is. My sisters hasn’t had an electric bill for over 3 years. However, she has a massive 16KW system and most of her appliances run off natural gas. Just goes to show you that you need to set your expectations very low from get go. For most of us, Solar can only be supplemental…
Very helpful, I would like to make one addition, when you talk about changing usage habits it can also be changing when you do things. Instead of doing laundry or other high usage activities in the evening do it in the middle of the day when you have the most solar.
6:35 yeah most PV systems loose output as temps go up. Passive cooling for PV panels is worth discussing. They also fall off once you get below freezing too.
If some one hasn't said it already watch out for copper clad aluminum CCA wire. If the wire on eBay or Amazon seems too inexpensive avoid it it's likely CCA and that comes with its own set of hazards
Good info here. Might add that there are apps out there for conduit fill and wire sizing. As far as over sizing your wires, I kept all of my voltage drops under 2%, which has worked out well. I’ll also add that when designing my system I downloaded and studied the owners and installation manuals for each piece of equipment I was considering. This was very helpful.
As always, excellent advice and well presented for the first timers, My off grid protocol; in Mississippi we have the winter time monsoon season also. What I have initiated these guidelines for My situation. 1. All in normal up to 50% battery capacity 2. 30-50% capacity. Very limited showers/ baths, use propane hot plates 3 adjust the thermostat to low heat or high temperature seasonal 4. 15-30%. No hot water, no heat from system or cooling 15% backup generators
As someone who has designed and built my own and other people's systems and has been 100% off grid in Wyoming for over 3 years. This was one of the best intro to the basics videos I've seen. I would only add if you build your own ground mount rack to take into consideration wind and snow loads. Make it so you can clean your panels off and that the wind won't send them to the next state. Here, we get winds that can reach 100 mph gusts and not be a tornado.
As part of my build I am designing a new shed for summer furniture storage specifically designed for solar panel mounting. this is a win/win. It gives my wife a convenient place to store the summer furniture and frees up the garage in the winter.
I’ve been researching all this for my very windy farm where I plan to install next year. The one area where I’ve found the least amount of info is ground mounts for high prevailing wind areas. If you guys can make any recommendations, I would be forever in your debt 🙏🏼
The tip on the power meter that goes into your distribution board is vital for everything. I have an Energia monitor with 14 ct clamps so it can monitor 14 power circuits. It’s amazing!!!! I can monitor the power consumption second by second, with graphs and totals by minute, hour, day, week for each circuit, and I can download the results as a csv file!!!
CANADIAN SHIELD Poli here, dear sir, first thank you for your kind words on my previous posts,...im currently upgrading my solar system, my exhisting system is moving to supply barns and sheds for i am involved with animals now and its the old school design. im not familiar with lithium setups so im overjoyed i found your site and subscribed to help me with purchasing newer design equipment and installation. when i built my log home on my mountain i angled the roof for max sunlight at 32 deg, in my geographic location so ive put years of thought into this, we get high wind way up here so stands arent practical etc etc. im going thru all your previous vids and always find at least one thing helpful,...thank you so much for all your help sir, take care....your neighbor from the north.
You're very welcome. Glad I could help in some small way. Nice that you have been so thoughtful in the design and planning. That will help a lot when installing.
Like most I started small and it's been a long and expensive journey to 48 volt. What a helpful video, just wish I watched it 2 years ago LOL. Thank you for your efforts and and. Have a safe journey
I haven’t yet figured out the advantage of moving to a 24 or 48 volt system. Seems to me like you have to buy more batteries for the same capacity, then buy step down inverters to get things back to 12v appliances/lighting. In my case, I’m running as many 12v appliances as I can to reduce the energy loss from the inverter. I use a generator to run heavy loads like a washer
wow. so much to learn. I've read over and over again that you can't just add more solar panels as you have to be within a certain range, or you will fry the components... but others say to "over panel" in order to charge while you use the system... it's all so overwhelming.
It is a lot, I know. For panels, you can overpanel, however you just need to stay in the proper voltage range for your inverters mppt charge controller. If the amps are too high on any of the solar strings coming in, your inverter will clip them.
Another piece of advice: go bigger on your battery bank. The batteries are rated in terms of cycles (complete discharge + complete charge = 1 cycle). So they will last longer if you're not discharging them completely (like don't go below 20% or so). We try to not go below 40%.
@@studbaird7649 buying those is a massive waste of money, they can't be discharged more than about 10% unless you want to replace them every month. There's a reason deep cycle batteries exist which only cost a little bit more but have like 5-7 times the usable energy for the "same" capacity.
My setup is pure custom. I have a 1485 sqft home on top of a 3560 sqft underground bunker. And a 2200 sqft steel building. This adds up to in the following 1. 1000 sqft of grow space in bunker has 34k btu of heat pump. 2. 1482 above + 1560 below of living space has 38k btu above 28k btu below. 3. 2200 sqft above 24k btu and 1000 sqft below 12k btu of workshop / storage. All heat pumps are geothermal multistage with a cop of 3.4-3.8. My solar array is 48kw my battery bank is 416kwh all eve MB31 cells. Will be expanding to 1Mwhr over time. I have propane and diesel fall back. I'm in the California desert and I see outdoor Temps well over 110f for over 50% of the year I'm currently digging to build an underground garage with a lifting system. As for why all this I own heavy equipment and had a bunch of empty land and watch too much colinfuze. I also build crap for burning man so I'm kinda odd
Eric, like you I upgraded from the 6500ex to the 6000xp. With the 6500ex (x4) I was 100% full charged within 3or 4 hours. With the same setup and house consumption I find the 6000xp (x4) will not charge my batteries at the same rate. May take full day with no load to fill the batteries to 100%. (Lipo4x12) So I’m adding 32 more panels to take up the slack.
I have noticed the 6000xp does charge a bit slower but not as slow as you are describing. I wonder if it is a setting somewhere that got messed up. Adding panels is always a good call.
I may have missed this topic in your discussion but it's worth mentioning anyway. Batteries have a listed maximum current output. For example with my 24 volt battery system the 4,000 watt inverter requires approximately 170 amps to deliver 4,000 watts properly. The battery has a 200 amp BMS system so it looks like the right battery. However, that 200 amps is a peek delivery rating. The continuous delivery rating is only 150 Amps which creates a problem for running high power loads, at the same time. The inverter shuts down due to lack of current supply. The solution is to add a parallel 24 volt 200 amp battery which also has a 150 amp running current rating. With the added battery in parallel the total current delivered is going to be twice as much as needed at 300 amps.
Most overlooked part of the system is the battery float charge and equalize charge. These voltages are dependent on battery type and temperature. Get ot right and the batteries will last years.
Thank you for a most excellent primer on solar power. I am an engineering tech getting started in off grid solar myself, and I thought you did a good job hitting the bases. My experience has been that if a panel is rated 100 watts, plan on only getting 65 or so. Reason being that a 12 volt panel rated ar 100 watts puts out something close to 5.5 amps at around 18 volts. Because of the way solar panels work, when I plug in a 12 volt battery to charge, I STILL only get the 5.5 amps AT BEST, while the system voltage is at whatever the battery is. So 12 volts nominal battery voltage at 5.5 amps is 66 watts! NOT the 100 spec'ed. So I will plan on installing 40% more capacity than the solar panel ratings would seem to dictate. Thus, 1400 watts of panels for a 1 kw system.
New to the channel ... is there a video explaining why you jumped from the world of architecture to homesteading? I am finding that balancing a typical career and a family is almost impossible ... as I obliviously didn't include the most important part ... God. Thanks for the videos again!
I have both EG for Chargers and the new one doesn't calculate the total kilowatt hours. I like the yellow one better because it totally calculates the power over the cumulative time that it's been running. It also ramps up quicker. The black one takes too long to ramp up to full power.
You don't want to depend on your equipment having over-voltage protection, correct. But the other major reason for keeping the solar panel voltage within the normal range (esp. in the winter) is that, even if over-voltage protection works and their equipment isn't ruined, it shuts down when this happens. So people definitely don't want production to halt. They have to make sure the highest winter voltage and lowest summer voltage are well within the normal operating range.
Something to consider is something called NEGA-WATTS. This is the amount of AIR CONDITIONING energy your house WON'T need if your panels are used to SHADE your roof. Of course, now it's harder to clean those panels, and when you get older, you're not going to able to climb the ladder and do it. Another factor is that animals or wasps can build nests under those panels. Roccoons, possums, rats, squirrels, and pigeons, etc.
One more thing you can add, inverter and battery storage should be installed at a well-ventilated place. Inverter will self-derated and curtail its production if its internal temperature is too high. Battery life span drop as well in hot area.
We have been on solar for 4 years as of now and we are still learning how to live off grid. We have a fairly large system with 62KWh’s of battery storage and 12,000 watts of split phase inverters. My wife only does laundry on days when the sun is good and hangs it up to dry, we also run a A/C in the solar equipment room in order to keep it cool. We do use two dual axis trackers and two single axis trackers each with 4,000 watts of panels so we make good power for about 10 hours during the long summer days a good example is yesterday 21Aug24 we made 84KWh’s.
I am adding an EG4 ChargeVerter to my system inside a utility shed. I need to be able to safely connect it to an outside generator. It looks like you are using two L14 30P outlets (one inside and one outside)? Can you confirm? Thank you
Have a bluetti ac200max -- says i can attach 5 - 100 watt panels -- so i will be under 145 volts -- -but with 6 - 100 panels - get most 200-225 watts -- did get 525 watts one time -- must of been perfect conditions - which i think is near impossible to get perfect conditions. -- Says bout 23 volts per panel -- for a 100 watt panel -- but getting those stats is under perfect conditions -- so one could add another panel. Yes or No -- Would it be better to get 2 - 250 watt panels or higher wattage. Help
I would build small like lights of house only 100 amps 400 watts solar . Then seperate system yous fridge and freezer .. 200 amp battery 600 watts of solor . Heater gas .. etc
This is one very informational video. Thanks for sharing with everyone. On the extension kit is is available from Signature Solar cost $12.15 might check it out for the extra panel.
Do you wanna make your home solar start with each individual light and your office and two refrigerators each refrigerator or freezer must only use 65 W
with lead-acid batteries we used to plan that in 2 or 3 sunny days at most, the batteries would get a full charge (even after taking out the daily usage). Lead acid batteries HATE to be less than fully charged so if you could afford it, it was better if they could be charged in 1 sunny day. Panels are now 1/10th the cost of what they were in 2000, and more efficient, so space is usually the limiting factor for panels. LiFePO4 batteries are cheaper now than good lead acid and they prefer to be about 1/2 charged, so if you can get your desired days of autonomy with only 1/2 your battery and it takes you a week or two to get a full charge, no big deal. Solar and off grid especially has experienced a huge change in 25 years!
Have you been able to get the charge verter behind you to run off 240v? I have wired it as per the instructions and it want even cut on. They show the same wire as a neutral and then as a hot on 240.
I have a grid tied system at home but to put some on my boat. Where did you get the wire size chart you showed in the video. Great informative video without getting too technical.
Glad it was helpful. Here is a link to a site with that chart...www.bluesea.com/support/articles/Circuit_Protection/1437/Part_1:_Choosing_the_Correct_Wire_Size_for_a_DC_Circuit
Buying the wrong equipment was my first mistake no utube the greatest thing since the light bulb one of the best ways to go is thinking outside the norm and using things on utube for other applications for example Missouri wind and solar had an vidio on making your dryer more energy efficient, by sealing it up and bringing the air in from up in the attic where the temperature in summer can get quite hot and depending on whether you are heating or cooling your house exhausting the hot air either outside or inside your home that works for fridges and freezers as well a freezer surrounded by 30 degree air will not need to run all winter and will be more efficient when being surrounded by the cooler air from the basement in summer also venting the air air from the from the freezer cooling fins outside in the summer will be more efficient and less heat for the air conditioning system to remove from the house
you mentioned series vs 2S2P but not parallel wiring; in my region of Colorado where I'm in a heavily forested area the Parallel seems like a better option, as series could be hindered by tree shade ( I've cut down many trees already to open up the ground mount space. Your thoughts on parallel ? Thx
Wiring panels in series and parallel has nothing to do with where you live. You make combinations of panels to obtain the correct voltage and amperage for your inverters. I have several strings all wired differently to give me the desired amperage and/or voltage for my specific inverters. Most of my strings are wired in series parallel.
Why don’t people read the other comments. I shoot videos at 7am so that y’all can see me on the camera in the shade. Those panels are in the absolute sunniest spot on the property.
Just wondering, where did you find the information for ground mount solar panels for the spacing during the winter time? And is it out of the question to have your panels vertical and spacing them during the winter time? And not get shade. Thank you for your time Jeff
Hello Jeff. Here is the info for the panel spacing....Inter Row Spacing Calculator: www.renvu.com/Inter-row-Spacing-Calculator Not sure what you mean on the second question
@@CountryLivingExperience thank you I appreciate the info on the second question I was just talking about having your panel straight up and down during the winter time so the snow don’t get on them and then putting panels in front of those but how far would you have to space them but I should be able to figure it out on the website you gave me thank you so much.
@@jeffkroeger946 I have never needed to do that since we do not get snow here. Projects with Everyday Dave's channel did that experiment. He has a good video on that topic.
Like you, I also have all-black panels. Please give your opinion for black modules as compared to conventional panels(placed far behind you in video) in extreme winter and summer.
Great video, thanks. I don’t see in your list or mention in your video that extinguisher above your inverter also what about smoke detectors or fire detectors?
Great video and I know it wasn't designed to cover every aspect of a system. I saw a bit of shading from trees on your panels, are you using optimizers? Also, why not use an inverter generator connected to the inverter and set it to run when the SOC or voltage drop to a predetermined point that works for your system? Thanks! FYI, I'm running one 6000xp, 6 EG4 rack batteries and 7800w of panels and rainwater collection, totally off grid in the Caribbean
Thanks. That video was shot very early in the morning. Those panels are in the sunniest spot. As for the generator, I have a standard type so it is not large enough to put through the 6000xp. I don’t want to buy another generator.
I was surprised that although you covered a lot of great stuff, you didn't mention up front that where you locate your panels, needs to optimise them to the maximum full exposure to the sun. Clearly all 3 sets of panels that were shown, would be severely impacted by significant shading from the sun.
Do you have a x account or somewhere where you can post the url or download links to the wire charts and breaker chart etc. Also, have you done a video on how you wired this all in, you said this goes to the sub panel but it also feeds the whole house?
Here is the conduit fill chart...www.elliottelectric.com/StaticPages/ElectricalReferences/ElectricalTables/Conduit_Fill_Table.aspx. As for the wiring, you can peruse our solar playlist here.....th-cam.com/play/PLe8gvCbPFkexFmUtg3xRS4sTZQ1Ve-ft1.html. I have a ton of videos covering the installs of all my systems.
We did an in-depth breakdown like that for our Victron system. Here is that video.....th-cam.com/video/o77ckgqIO8A/w-d-xo.html Should have all the info you need.
Hello man ! I just saw the beginning of one of your video about being strike by TH-cam on old video and you talk about herbe healing.. that’s what is about! Yes they don’t want us to be self efficient but it’s the healing side of it. There other French Chanel experience same thing
Solar is a no brainer these days for anyone living off generators or paying california electricity prices 😉 system will pay itself off in < 10 years then < 10+ years of free power
I'm just beginning my journey into solar, but I was recently given some advice on location that many will overlook. Placing the panels on your roof is often the most aesthetic and space-saving. However, the panels will need to be cleaned at least a couple of times a year, and as you age, you probably don't want to keep climbing up and down ladders.
Ground mount is the way to go
we had a storm with softball size hail and there is a house local that had solar un till that storm on there roof now they have a lot of busted up solar pannels
@@CountryLivingExperiencemy county in NC says they have to be on the roof. Would not be possible for a singlewide.
@@ShalomShalom-d5c I know of a solar installer in NC putting in ground mounts all the time. Do you live within city limits? I don't think they can force you to put them on your roof if you live out in a rural area.
@@ShalomShalom-d5c Greetings from Finland.
How can they make you not to ground mount panels?
I got into solar as a hobby when my wife bought me a 100 wat kit, I found it brilliant that I could light up all my garages and sheds and only one light in my house I also have a led 12 v infra red light in the garden that uses a lot of the power because I have a bat which keeps turning the light on which I’m presuming for insects attracted by the light,, I bought a cheap diesel generator for £50 an old nackered but it’s so reliable, I make my own diesel from chip fat oil, so it costs virtually nothing to produce I have to recharge my battery’s in the winter about once every 3 days but it cost virtually nothing, I’m having so much fun with this setup and I’ve just bought some more panels and a couple of battery’s so more fun to come,
Very well done video Eric.
My background as a electrician/ controls technician in a large power plant was very beneficial when I got into solar, but even so I studied the systems for a couple years before actually purchasing and installing my system.
Thanks Mark. Interestingly, my grandfather was an electrician at a large chemical plant.
A lot of great info, however... I'm in year 7 of operating a 15kw pv, 121kwh battery, 24,000w inverters off-grid system and agree with everything you said plus there's more to learn. However, for a beginner... and I mean this in the most kind way I can as you are rock solid / honest info / the best!.... this was too much info with too little structure / links to resources. I've found over the years that joining a good forum such as Will Prowse's "DIY Solar Power Forum" and diving into reputable youtube channels such as yours! (Will Prowse, and others) and following along + self educating for a while can lead to a better understanding of all these topics and why they matter. Perhaps you could follow up with resource links, forum(s), channels that you would endorse for self-education. And, if one finds they aren't interested in self-education / solar topics - then perhaps lean toward hiring someone to do the work rather than DIY.
Thank you. I totally understand. I do have over 50 videos on solar where I have broken down some of these individual topics and given references. In this video I was trying to do a summary. I have covered every concern you have in this comment. Will's solar form is amazing and I learned a lot from reading the threads there. Sometimes the discussions can be so advanced (electrical engineering level) that beginners can get lost there easily.
I will add more resources in the description of the video but TH-cam is having trouble (again) on it's back end allowing creators to add some links, etc in the description. I will continue to work on that for this video.
Are you running a village??? ⚡⚡⚡🔌💡
I have been looking at solar for the last couple of years and have decided what my plan is. I am setting up solar as primary and the grid as backup and trifuel generators as backup of my backup. I installed an Ecoflow Ultra 18000 watts for battery because it gives me all the automations and remote access I need and meets all my needs for one day of power discounting Central air. Here in the north - central air is nice but unnecessary. My goal is to have the system pay pay for itself in 7 to 10 years while being able to maintain my life style in case of a grid down situation. My perspective is to have an insurance policy that will keep me comfortable in my own house when the grid goes down and pays me back for my investment. I don't know of any other insurance that will do that.
Loud and clear what you say.... Thanks m8
@@kennethalmond8922 have you broken even?
This is great information! I designed and installed my own small system 3 years ago. My intention was to have a backup solar system that would lower our electric bill and provide emergency power. It's a 240 volt split phase system with 3800 watt adjustable ground mount system. Coupled with 14kw battery backup it works extremely well. I can double the PV arrays and allowed for that expansion when I design it. We are still grid tied and will continue to use the grid because it runs our heatpump for AC and electric clothes dryer. Best advice for beginners is well represented in this video. Understanding the importance of wire sizing and the effect of temperature to solar panel output is essential to understand for anyone installing their own system. Even though our system is small it works flawlessly and produces about 65% of our electric consumption yearly. Our next step will be to add another 3800kw of PV arrays and a soft start switch to our heatpump. This will allow us to operate 100 % off-grid if needed. Solar is not a perfect energy solution but it does give you an option to at least have a good backup system for emergencies and lowering your grid power consumption.
We did on a fixed income and have to save to purchase all the components before completing our system. It's a good investment and we are pleased with the end results.
This is a great video and every beginner interested in Solar system installation can benefit from the information
GREAT 👍 JOB
Awesome. Thank you.
On a safety note.. It should be said and reminded to anyone working around lethal quantities of power (voltage x amperage). IT IS WISE to remove any and all of your conductive bling (rings, bracelets, pendants, bondage chains.. etc..)! One incidental, yet inattentive cross of a wedding ring between a hot terminal and a ground wire or terminal and you can say hello to the ER and good by to that troublesome finger!! Better yet.. wear non-conductive, insulating gloves.
yes, absolutely
Its also wise to shut the power off before you work lol......
@@sportbikeguy9875 How can you shut off the power from a battery?
Good job covering pretty much all the basics. I'm about five years into my PV setup, and this year is the first year since it was installed that I haven't tinkered with or added to it.
However, I have considered adding 6 to 8 more panels to my ground mount.
My grid tie buyback is about 1:6 now. They give me ~ 2.4 cents per kWh and charge me ~ 14.5 cents per kWh. I can zero out my bill and then get credit for next month. But now that I have an EV that also charges, that EV truck sucks down a lot of Sun!
Most solar DIYers are looking to save money first and foremost. I am an avid DIY guy and I buy my stuff off ebay and marketplace and have found excellent deals. I have found it is best to over panel and not stress so much on checking every efficiency box. It seems that most important thing to learn is to get way more batteries than you think you need.
Great video..... I live in the Philippines and am building a small house in an areea without electricity. I only need 12k per day.,... I feel very overwhelmed trying to learn all this stuff ...
You’re welcome. You can do it. I have over 50 videos on how to install systems yourself. Check them out and let me know if you have any questions.
For low to no electricity bill, think it depends on where you live and how big your system is. My sisters hasn’t had an electric bill for over 3 years. However, she has a massive 16KW system and most of her appliances run off natural gas. Just goes to show you that you need to set your expectations very low from get go. For most of us, Solar can only be supplemental…
Good point
Very helpful, I would like to make one addition, when you talk about changing usage habits it can also be changing when you do things. Instead of doing laundry or other high usage activities in the evening do it in the middle of the day when you have the most solar.
Or, just move that washer and dryer over to a generator.
I tend to design my solar to deal with winter solar production rather than summer. I figure design it for winter and summer will take care of itself.
@@keithculvahouse1191 exactly what I did, and buying more batteries then I think I need
6:35 yeah most PV systems loose output as temps go up. Passive cooling for PV panels is worth discussing. They also fall off once you get below freezing too.
I would like to add the following: proper grounding. Nice video btw!
Thanks
If your array uses metal posts, it is already mostly grounded.
If some one hasn't said it already watch out for copper clad aluminum CCA wire. If the wire on eBay or Amazon seems too inexpensive avoid it it's likely CCA and that comes with its own set of hazards
I'm watching for all your info! I have no money and can't see a way to live this amazing way, but I'm very happy to see this. ALL of it.😊
God Bless You.
Good info here. Might add that there are apps out there for conduit fill and wire sizing. As far as over sizing your wires, I kept all of my voltage drops under 2%, which has worked out well. I’ll also add that when designing my system I downloaded and studied the owners and installation manuals for each piece of equipment I was considering. This was very helpful.
太阳板很便宜，安装的越大越好，发电量太大就买电动车。所有的线加大一号。太阳板尽量串联以减小电流损耗，要加过流保护器防止短路。储能电池线全部采用AWG-2号的，接线端子买Marine 等级的，电池也必须加装过流保护开关。电池的电压也是越高越好。逆变器的功率必须比太阳板功率大一倍，因为它们经常虚标。
My advice from experience: calculate your need, then multiply it by 3. This will save you a lot of heartache later
@@Solar_and_Security Yes adding on to a insufficient system is way more expensive after the fact.
Perhaps some clarity on this statement.
Do you mean 3x as many solar panels, battery capacity and inverter capacity?
That seems quite excessive.
@@LPCliftonMusic You should really reply to LPCliftonMusic, not on this thread, so he can see it.
@@NeverTakeNoCut-offs Agreed!
As always, excellent advice and well presented for the first timers,
My off grid protocol; in Mississippi we have the winter time monsoon season also. What I have initiated these guidelines for My situation.
1. All in normal up to 50% battery capacity
2. 30-50% capacity. Very limited showers/ baths, use propane hot plates
3 adjust the thermostat to low heat or high temperature seasonal
4. 15-30%. No hot water, no heat from system or cooling
15% backup generators
I appreciate that.
Good guidelines.
As someone who has designed and built my own and other people's systems and has been 100% off grid in Wyoming for over 3 years. This was one of the best intro to the basics videos I've seen. I would only add if you build your own ground mount rack to take into consideration wind and snow loads. Make it so you can clean your panels off and that the wind won't send them to the next state. Here, we get winds that can reach 100 mph gusts and not be a tornado.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
As part of my build I am designing a new shed for summer furniture storage specifically designed for solar panel mounting. this is a win/win. It gives my wife a convenient place to store the summer furniture and frees up the garage in the winter.
I’ve been researching all this for my very windy farm where I plan to install next year. The one area where I’ve found the least amount of info is ground mounts for high prevailing wind areas. If you guys can make any recommendations, I would be forever in your debt 🙏🏼
@@modquad18 Most companies who produce ground mounts will also have the rated wind loads published for their mounts.
The tip on the power meter that goes into your distribution board is vital for everything. I have an Energia monitor with 14 ct clamps so it can monitor 14 power circuits.
It’s amazing!!!! I can monitor the power consumption second by second, with graphs and totals by minute, hour, day, week for each circuit, and I can download the results as a csv file!!!
They are very helpful for sure.
CANADIAN SHIELD Poli here, dear sir, first thank you for your kind words on my previous posts,...im currently upgrading my solar system, my exhisting system is moving to supply barns and sheds for i am involved with animals now and its the old school design. im not familiar with lithium setups so im overjoyed i found your site and subscribed to help me with purchasing newer design equipment and installation. when i built my log home on my mountain i angled the roof for max sunlight at 32 deg, in my geographic location so ive put years of thought into this, we get high wind way up here so stands arent practical etc etc. im going thru all your previous vids and always find at least one thing helpful,...thank you so much for all your help sir, take care....your neighbor from the north.
You're very welcome. Glad I could help in some small way. Nice that you have been so thoughtful in the design and planning. That will help a lot when installing.
Thank you. I feel much more informed now after watching.
@@m.macdonald3094 Glad it was helpful.
Like most I started small and it's been a long and expensive journey to 48 volt. What a helpful video, just wish I watched it 2 years ago LOL. Thank you for your efforts and and. Have a safe journey
Glad it was helpful....albeit a little late.
I haven’t yet figured out the advantage of moving to a 24 or 48 volt system. Seems to me like you have to buy more batteries for the same capacity, then buy step down inverters to get things back to 12v appliances/lighting. In my case, I’m running as many 12v appliances as I can to reduce the energy loss from the inverter. I use a generator to run heavy loads like a washer
wow. so much to learn. I've read over and over again that you can't just add more solar panels as you have to be within a certain range, or you will fry the components... but others say to "over panel" in order to charge while you use the system... it's all so overwhelming.
It is a lot, I know. For panels, you can overpanel, however you just need to stay in the proper voltage range for your inverters mppt charge controller. If the amps are too high on any of the solar strings coming in, your inverter will clip them.
Another piece of advice: go bigger on your battery bank. The batteries are rated in terms of cycles (complete discharge + complete charge = 1 cycle). So they will last longer if you're not discharging them completely (like don't go below 20% or so). We try to not go below 40%.
Battery plus capacitors!
Transport batteries are cheap.. like 100,$ 20 of them is a good start!
@@studbaird7649 You mean car batteries? Those are absolutely horrible for solar.
@@TechHowden simi 1000 cranking amp..lead acid.. solar is a scam bro
@@studbaird7649 buying those is a massive waste of money, they can't be discharged more than about 10% unless you want to replace them every month. There's a reason deep cycle batteries exist which only cost a little bit more but have like 5-7 times the usable energy for the "same" capacity.
My setup is pure custom.
I have a 1485 sqft home on top of a 3560 sqft underground bunker.
And a 2200 sqft steel building.
This adds up to in the following
1. 1000 sqft of grow space in bunker has 34k btu of heat pump.
2. 1482 above + 1560 below of living space has 38k btu above 28k btu below.
3. 2200 sqft above 24k btu and 1000 sqft below 12k btu of workshop / storage.
All heat pumps are geothermal multistage with a cop of 3.4-3.8.
My solar array is 48kw my battery bank is 416kwh all eve MB31 cells.
Will be expanding to 1Mwhr over time.
I have propane and diesel fall back.
I'm in the California desert and I see outdoor Temps well over 110f for over 50% of the year I'm currently digging to build an underground garage with a lifting system.
As for why all this I own heavy equipment and had a bunch of empty land and watch too much colinfuze.
I also build crap for burning man so I'm kinda odd
Sounds fun
Wow dude thats way over board. Nice lol
I'm in the Antelope Valley looking to build my own system also. Did you build your own bunker?
@@JoeHamby yes
Eric, like you I upgraded from the 6500ex to the 6000xp.
With the 6500ex (x4) I was 100% full charged within 3or 4 hours. With the same setup and house consumption I find the 6000xp (x4) will not charge my batteries at the same rate. May take full day with no load to fill the batteries to 100%. (Lipo4x12)
So I’m adding 32 more panels to take up the slack.
I have noticed the 6000xp does charge a bit slower but not as slow as you are describing. I wonder if it is a setting somewhere that got messed up.
Adding panels is always a good call.
This was EXCELLENT information... so glad you made this video... thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful!
For solar, this was a Will Prose or Offgrid Solar Garage (Australian guy) professional level advice. I loved that wire guage chart!
I appreciate that. Thank you
Refreshing to hear original content! Thanks for the excellent tips! I enjoy making original content too!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I may have missed this topic in your discussion but it's worth mentioning anyway. Batteries have a listed maximum current output. For example with my 24 volt battery system the 4,000 watt inverter requires approximately 170 amps to deliver 4,000 watts properly.
The battery has a 200 amp BMS system so it looks like the right battery. However, that 200 amps is a peek delivery rating. The continuous delivery rating is only 150 Amps which creates a problem for running high power loads, at the same time. The inverter shuts down due to lack of current supply.
The solution is to add a parallel 24 volt 200 amp battery which also has a 150 amp running current rating. With the added battery in parallel the total current delivered is going to be twice as much as needed at 300 amps.
Most overlooked part of the system is the battery float charge and equalize charge. These voltages are dependent on battery type and temperature. Get ot right and the batteries will last years.
Thank you for a most excellent primer on solar power. I am an engineering tech getting started in off grid solar myself, and I thought you did a good job hitting the bases. My experience has been that if a panel is rated 100 watts, plan on only getting 65 or so. Reason being that a 12 volt panel rated ar 100 watts puts out something close to 5.5 amps at around 18 volts. Because of the way solar panels work, when I plug in a 12 volt battery to charge, I STILL only get the 5.5 amps AT BEST, while the system voltage is at whatever the battery is. So 12 volts nominal battery voltage at 5.5 amps is 66 watts! NOT the 100 spec'ed. So I will plan on installing 40% more capacity than the solar panel ratings would seem to dictate. Thus, 1400 watts of panels for a 1 kw system.
You're welcome.
Yes, there are a lot of losses and inefficiencies. Panel ratings are under lab conditions at the perfect temp, etc.
I have been off-grid for 1 year now - basic system only - modifying usage / behaviour is number one issue!
New to the channel ... is there a video explaining why you jumped from the world of architecture to homesteading? I am finding that balancing a typical career and a family is almost impossible ... as I obliviously didn't include the most important part ... God. Thanks for the videos again!
Clamp meters don't check voltage. They measure current. A combo meter that has both functions can do that.
That is what I meant to say.
I have both EG for Chargers and the new one doesn't calculate the total kilowatt hours. I like the yellow one better because it totally calculates the power over the cumulative time that it's been running. It also ramps up quicker. The black one takes too long to ramp up to full power.
Very good video for me with a lot of practical information and thank you!
The more practical the better. Keep it up, please!
You're welcome
Very nicely said, and understandable, thanks for the video!
Great video! A lot of information that every person should know before purchasing solar equipment. Thanks for the video!
You're welcome
Excellent video, thank for all the great info!
You don't want to depend on your equipment having over-voltage protection, correct. But the other major reason for keeping the solar panel voltage within the normal range (esp. in the winter) is that, even if over-voltage protection works and their equipment isn't ruined, it shuts down when this happens. So people definitely don't want production to halt. They have to make sure the highest winter voltage and lowest summer voltage are well within the normal operating range.
Great video, thank you for sharing
You’re welcome
Something to consider is something called NEGA-WATTS.
This is the amount of AIR CONDITIONING energy your house WON'T need if your panels are used to SHADE your roof.
Of course, now it's harder to clean those panels, and when you get older, you're not going to able to climb the ladder and do it.
Another factor is that animals or wasps can build nests under those panels.
Roccoons, possums, rats, squirrels, and pigeons, etc.
Awesome advice and right on the money. Excellent points and thank you kindly!
Glad it was helpful!
One more thing you can add, inverter and battery storage should be installed at a well-ventilated place. Inverter will self-derated and curtail its production if its internal temperature is too high. Battery life span drop as well in hot area.
Good points
A lot of good information for anyone considering solor.
Perfect video
Thank you
We have been on solar for 4 years as of now and we are still learning how to live off grid. We have a fairly large system with 62KWh’s of battery storage and 12,000 watts of split phase inverters. My wife only does laundry on days when the sun is good and hangs it up to dry, we also run a A/C in the solar equipment room in order to keep it cool. We do use two dual axis trackers and two single axis trackers each with 4,000 watts of panels so we make good power for about 10 hours during the long summer days a good example is yesterday 21Aug24 we made 84KWh’s.
Sounds like a great system.
Yes, it does take a while to learn how to live with it. A few modifications to "how" you live are needed for sure.
Step one: watch a lot of TH-cam videos. Step two watch more videos.
Thank you. Greetings from Germany!
Gern geschehen
Very helpful, Thank You!
You're welcome
I am adding an EG4 ChargeVerter to my system inside a utility shed. I need to be able to safely connect it to an outside generator. It looks like you are using two L14 30P outlets (one inside and one outside)? Can you confirm? Thank you
Hello. Yes I am. I covered that in this video here.....th-cam.com/video/fii9vfE1lvM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MCGt5eljf-QL-TwI
Simply taking some appliances off grid for 6 hours per day will save you money.
Thx,
" I learned something today " - Kyle from South Park 😅😂
Nice vid,
I liked - Subbed !
Thx again !
Thanks
Have a bluetti ac200max -- says i can attach 5 - 100 watt panels -- so i will be under 145 volts -- -but with 6 - 100 panels - get most 200-225 watts -- did get 525 watts one time -- must of been perfect conditions - which i think is near impossible to get perfect conditions. -- Says bout 23 volts per panel -- for a 100 watt panel -- but getting those stats is under perfect conditions -- so one could add another panel. Yes or No -- Would it be better to get 2 - 250 watt panels or higher wattage. Help
😊 those panels are probably run in parallel where you add the amperage when connected in series the volts add up.
The angle of the solar panels with regard to ones location on the hemisphere apply only to the US? Does it differ to other continents? Thank you.
It differs everywhere you live in the world.
I would build small like lights of house only 100 amps 400 watts solar . Then seperate system yous fridge and freezer .. 200 amp battery 600 watts of solor . Heater gas .. etc
All very helpful information. Thank you!
You’re welcome
You definitely covered most of the basics. Very good video. Two thumbs up 👍👍
Thank you
Great content. You said it , “ dive in and study “ super job
Thanks
This is one very informational video. Thanks for sharing with everyone. On the extension kit is is available from Signature Solar cost $12.15 might check it out for the extra panel.
Yep. Got one in my shopping cart on their website.
@@CountryLivingExperience I was wondering why the reply last video was what it was. Have a super blessed week.
Thank you. You too.
Do you wanna make your home solar start with each individual light and your office and two refrigerators each refrigerator or freezer must only use 65 W
with lead-acid batteries we used to plan that in 2 or 3 sunny days at most, the batteries would get a full charge (even after taking out the daily usage). Lead acid batteries HATE to be less than fully charged so if you could afford it, it was better if they could be charged in 1 sunny day. Panels are now 1/10th the cost of what they were in 2000, and more efficient, so space is usually the limiting factor for panels. LiFePO4 batteries are cheaper now than good lead acid and they prefer to be about 1/2 charged, so if you can get your desired days of autonomy with only 1/2 your battery and it takes you a week or two to get a full charge, no big deal.
Solar and off grid especially has experienced a huge change in 25 years!
Yes, correct.
Thanks for another excellent video on solar.
You’re welcome
Have you been able to get the charge verter behind you to run off 240v? I have wired it as per the instructions and it want even cut on. They show the same wire as a neutral and then as a hot on 240.
I didn't try 240. I run it off of 120.
@@CountryLivingExperience have you been able to get more than 57amps of charging on 120v.
After this video, I went back to the basics... Hamster in a wheel for energy.
You can do it McLovin
You forgot one important tool, torque wrenches. Big and small to cover terminal blocks.
Crazy informative video; "BEST" Awesome info.
Thank you
Thanks for all the information. One thing I check for the links for the charts you mention that would be in in the note but didn't see any.
Sorry, I will try to fix them soon.
We got Emporia and installed it a couple of years before we got solar.
Nice!
I have a grid tied system at home but to put some on my boat. Where did you get the wire size chart you showed in the video. Great informative video without getting too technical.
Glad it was helpful. Here is a link to a site with that chart...www.bluesea.com/support/articles/Circuit_Protection/1437/Part_1:_Choosing_the_Correct_Wire_Size_for_a_DC_Circuit
Buying the wrong equipment was my first mistake no utube the greatest thing since the light bulb one of the best ways to go is thinking outside the norm and using things on utube for other applications for example Missouri wind and solar had an vidio on making your dryer more energy efficient, by sealing it up and bringing the air in from up in the attic where the temperature in summer can get quite hot and depending on whether you are heating or cooling your house exhausting the hot air either outside or inside your home that works for fridges and freezers as well a freezer surrounded by 30 degree air will not need to run all winter and will be more efficient when being surrounded by the cooler air from the basement in summer also venting the air air from the from the freezer cooling fins outside in the summer will be more efficient and less heat for the air conditioning system to remove from the house
you mentioned series vs 2S2P but not parallel wiring; in my region of Colorado where I'm in a heavily forested area the Parallel seems like a better option, as series could be hindered by tree shade ( I've cut down many trees already to open up the ground mount space. Your thoughts on parallel ? Thx
Wiring panels in series and parallel has nothing to do with where you live. You make combinations of panels to obtain the correct voltage and amperage for your inverters. I have several strings all wired differently to give me the desired amperage and/or voltage for my specific inverters. Most of my strings are wired in series parallel.
What are you going to do with the shade from the trees? Work efficiency is lower than it could be.
Why don’t people read the other comments. I shoot videos at 7am so that y’all can see me on the camera in the shade. Those panels are in the absolute sunniest spot on the property.
Really good tips! Good job. :)
Glad it was helpful
EG4 6000XP has a maximum of 480 volt PV input, not 500.
Correct. I misspoke. I was thinking of my old 6500ex
Just wondering, where did you find the information for ground mount solar panels for the spacing during the winter time?
And is it out of the question to have your panels vertical and spacing them during the winter time? And not get shade. Thank you for your time Jeff
Hello Jeff. Here is the info for the panel spacing....Inter Row Spacing Calculator: www.renvu.com/Inter-row-Spacing-Calculator
Not sure what you mean on the second question
@@CountryLivingExperience thank you I appreciate the info on the second question I was just talking about having your panel straight up and down during the winter time so the snow don’t get on them and then putting panels in front of those but how far would you have to space them but I should be able to figure it out on the website you gave me thank you so much.
@@jeffkroeger946 I have never needed to do that since we do not get snow here. Projects with Everyday Dave's channel did that experiment. He has a good video on that topic.
@@CountryLivingExperience thank you
SOOOOOO Glad to see you moving to Rumble. Keep up the great Podcasts you've been producing over the years.
Can you provide the link for the PVC conduit size for wires?
Sorry, yes. Here it is.....www.elliottelectric.com/StaticPages/ElectricalReferences/ElectricalTables/Conduit_Fill_Table.aspx
Another good video, thank you.
You're welcome
Nice ABCY wire chart. I'll remember that.
Where in East Texas are you? I am south west of Beaumont. Just looking into , and Learning about solar.
We are near Tyler
@@CountryLivingExperience I am located about 12 miles west of Tyler.
Like you, I also have all-black panels.
Please give your opinion for black modules as compared to conventional panels(placed far behind you in video) in extreme winter and summer.
I will keep testing them and do follow ups.
Does the 6,000xp inverter support 500v per mppt unit? You said that at minute 7:20
480v. I misspoke
@@CountryLivingExperience 480v per mppt? Or 480v between the two?
@@anthonyrivera5342 On each MPPT.
@@CountryLivingExperiencethanks a lot 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Number one, make sure you have enough land that gets actual sunlight.
Of course
How much power (percentage) does the system make on an overcast day, during peak hours?
That is hard to determine. Light overcast, heavy clouds, etc. could be anything.
Great video, thanks. I don’t see in your list or mention in your video that extinguisher above your inverter also what about smoke detectors or fire detectors?
The list of equipment and tools is below the video. Which other list are you looking for?
I personally have one of those fire blankets next to my electrical system. Those things are pretty cool and easy to use
Good suggestion Moe
Nice ❤ thank you.
Great video and I know it wasn't designed to cover every aspect of a system. I saw a bit of shading from trees on your panels, are you using optimizers? Also, why not use an inverter generator connected to the inverter and set it to run when the SOC or voltage drop to a predetermined point that works for your system? Thanks! FYI, I'm running one 6000xp, 6 EG4 rack batteries and 7800w of panels and rainwater collection, totally off grid in the Caribbean
Thanks. That video was shot very early in the morning. Those panels are in the sunniest spot. As for the generator, I have a standard type so it is not large enough to put through the 6000xp. I don’t want to buy another generator.
I was surprised that although you covered a lot of great stuff, you didn't mention up front that where you locate your panels, needs to optimise them to the maximum full exposure to the sun. Clearly all 3 sets of panels that were shown, would be severely impacted by significant shading from the sun.
I couldn't cover everything in depth because people will whine that the video is too long. Happens daily. Locating in full sun is a no brainer.
Do you have a x account or somewhere where you can post the url or download links to the wire charts and breaker chart etc. Also, have you done a video on how you wired this all in, you said this goes to the sub panel but it also feeds the whole house?
Here is the conduit fill chart...www.elliottelectric.com/StaticPages/ElectricalReferences/ElectricalTables/Conduit_Fill_Table.aspx.
As for the wiring, you can peruse our solar playlist here.....th-cam.com/play/PLe8gvCbPFkexFmUtg3xRS4sTZQ1Ve-ft1.html. I have a ton of videos covering the installs of all my systems.
Can you do a cost breakdown of your subpanel and conduit?
I just got a EG4 18kpv and 20 panels (looks like yours)... Thanks!
We did an in-depth breakdown like that for our Victron system. Here is that video.....th-cam.com/video/o77ckgqIO8A/w-d-xo.html Should have all the info you need.
@@CountryLivingExperience Great... Thanks for all the info!
Thank you very helpful. M
You’re welcome
Hello man ! I just saw the beginning of one of your video about being strike by TH-cam on old video and you talk about herbe healing..
that’s what is about! Yes they don’t want us to be self efficient but it’s the healing side of it.
There other French Chanel experience same thing
Solar is a no brainer these days for anyone living off generators or paying california electricity prices 😉 system will pay itself off in < 10 years then < 10+ years of free power
The tool pages are opening Amazon main page no tool.
Thanks for the heads up. I will check the links. All of the links? or just a specific tool?
@@CountryLivingExperience I checked all the tools, I think I only checked the solar link and it worked.
@@donniecole3472 Thank you. i will work on that tonight. Not sure what is wrong. Maybe YT is messing with me.
@@donniecole3472 Most of them are working for me. I just found one that is not. Maybe try another browser.
@@CountryLivingExperiencejust worked for me.
Great tips, explained perfectly
Thanks Bob
over the house look like it's more Sunny than on the panels.
It was 7am when I made this video. House is shaded by 1pm. Panels are in the sunniest spot and get sun till 5.