Tour of my off grid solar system with the Sol-Ark 15K
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- Here is a tour and description of how my off grid solar system works with the Sol-Ark 15k. The Sol-Ark 15k is the brains of my solar system. I also discuss exactly how this system works, how the Sol-Ark 15K can transfer between solar energy, battery, and grid usage (the grid is my backup). I also show how my EG4-LL battery bank works with the Sol-Ark 15k.
I also discuss how much it costs for a whole home off grid solar system.
To download my free solar system diagram pdf click here:
solarpdfdownload.com
Here's an affiliate link to where you can purchase my exact EG4 Lithium battery bank. Use the discount code UNPLUGGEDTEXAN50 to get $50 off
tinyurl.com/re6...
Check the price of these batteries here as well. I don't have a discount code, but it's worth checking the price anyway:
tinyurl.com/5a7...
Here's an affiliate link to where you can purchase the Sol-Ark 15k
tinyurl.com/2hb...
Here's the link to the exact model of EMP shield I use in the video for the two charge controllers on the Sol-Ark 15k:
www.empshield....
Here's the link to the exact model of EMP shield I use in the video for the 3rd charge controller on the Sol-Ark 15k:
www.empshield....
Here's the link to the exact model of EMP shield that works with home panels that are recessed into the wall
www.empshield....
For all EMP Shields use the coupon code offgridbrian for $50 off your order.
#offgrid #offgridsolar
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I'm in a suburb in West Sacramento, California, grid-tied with a Sol-Ark15k and 19.2kW HomeGrid stack with a modest 5.525kW of solar panels. Superb results.
I had no electrical or solar knowledge, and was trying to get a solar company to do a solar installation for me, but quickly got really discouraged with how sketchy that industry is. And as I researched system components, in depth, trying to make good choices, I found out how difficult it would be to get any solar installer to install the components I wanted instead of the components they'd prefer to sell me.
So I took a deep breath, and designed, permitted, and installed the system myself, using solar electricians to perform the electrical connections and conduiting since I wasn't competent to do that work AND so I wouldn't void my equipment warranties. I drew the permit wiring diagrams based on Sol-Ark and HomeGrid manuals, drew the conduit routes based on where I was locating equipment. I fired the first solar electricians before they even began work, then hired a young hungry group who priced reasonably, scheduled me promptly, showed up on time, worked carefully and well, and promptly corrected any errors along the way.
My system runs my whole house, no critical loads panel, with the 15k on my back porch hung on my back porch wall, under a big patio roof, and right next to the back door from the in-house laundry room. The HomeGrid Stack'd ESS is on the other side of that wall, inside my laundry room, about a foot from that same wall. Beautiful looking battery, by the way. The battery and com cables from the inverter pass through the wall into wall-penetrated rigid, mounted conduits, then travel about a foot out of each conduit to connect to the HomeGrid Stack'd ESS. A removable fitted wood cover conceals the wiring. The door out to the back porch is located such that you walk by the battery on your right, located a foot from the same wall the door is on, out to the patio and see the side of the inverter a foot away. I hung the inverter with the screen at eye-height.
Biggest lessons I'll pass on from my first-timer's experience doing solar: Get a lot more panels than you think you need, you can never have too many. Buy the big-boy inverter, can't beat the satisfaction and simplicity of running the whole house even when the grid fails. Get even more battery than you think you need.
And this final tip: Don't budget your solar and backup system build based on trying to get it to pay itself off (ROI, or Return on Investment) That's the common way solar is sold or considered but it's just just crazy: you don't buy cars that way, you buy what you can afford based on quality of experience. Quality of experience is truly a big part of your Return on Investment! Energy independence, quality equipment that has less chance of failing, whole-house backup, loads of backup battery: just like buying a nice car or truck, only probably cheaper, lasts twice as long, doesn't require gas, oil, tires, insurance, etc. Yeah, build a system that works like a truck instead of a moped.
Very well said. Congrats on sticking to it even after being discouraged. That shows character. Wish there were more people like you out there.
@@unpluggedtexan Ah, you're the guy, all this great content and good attitude. Cheers, bud.
Sounds like you need to put a reveal video up to share your achievement.
@@SkyCharter What's a reveal video?
@@Ben-v7e Where you show off and explain something new to others who might have a desire to learn new techniques, etc.
Your system is very similar to mine here in Louisville, KY. I have the Sol-Ark 15K and the same 30 KWh of EG batteries. However, I only use 22 bifacial solar panels on metal racks to produce up to 19.1 KW of power. I also have a propane backup generator that will recharge the batteries if needed. I drive a Tesla so I charge it directly from solar for free. I live on about 10 acres of land and am considering buying an electric robot lawn mower since paying for lawn mowing is a major expense. Of course, charging the electric lawnmowers would come from my solar system. I had my system installed by an experienced expert and he did a great job. I love my system and am happy with the investment.
Great minds think alike! Nice system! Love that you drive for free with the power you produce. I have so much extra power on sunny days I’ll be getting an electric car at some point. Can’t justify the expense right now unless I get rid of my gas powered Kia Sorento. Unless I get rid of that then the extra expense on buying an EV doesn’t make sense. I’m just not ready to give up my gas car yet.
Once you drive an EV (I have Tesla Modle 3 Performance) you won't ever want to drive a gas car again. They are great. @@unpluggedtexan
How much wattage for each of those 22 pv panels to make it 19000w solar array? I have 27 pv panels of 460w with a bifacial gain of up to 575, and that doesn't come near your 19000w capacity you speak of. I have 2-eg4 6500ex 48v 2 phase inverters, and 2-6 bank 48v eg4 battery racks with a 60+ total of storage and can't run a mini split!!!
@@lindaferguson593 I have 60 total Longi panels at 320 watts each. I have 30 kwh’s of battery storage. When the sun is out I can run my 4 ton traditional AC, my 24k btu mini split, my 9k btu mini split, my well pump, and 240v water pressure system for 5 homes on my property all at the same time. That comes out to about 8,000 running watts. My Sol-Ark 15k can run 12,000 continuously with no problem. It can surge well over 130 amps. On a sunny day I can produce about 120 kwh’s of solar energy.
Can you please let’s me where you buy 22 Solar penels for 19.1kw thankfully I just to buy 15 k solark and I want looking buy more 22 Solar penels for 19.1kw thank again
Hey there, I also live in Texas and I keep my house completely off grid from 7 am until 9 pm. I'm with Just Energy, on their free night's plan, with solar buyback. My 17kW on grid solar system feeds into the grid all day everyday, and my off grid 2.7kW solar system with 39.6 kWh of batteries is enough to power my home. I charge my backup batteries overnight (9pm-7am), with the free night time energy so they're fully charged and ready to power my home for the next day. I get loads of credits every month.
What I'm doing is, I've installed 3 systems for redundancy. If the grid goes down. And you take a huge lightning strike it would be good to have a small system on each of the houses on your property.
Yep I’m in the beginning stages of planning additional systems on family members homes on my property. 👍
Thanks for sharing this great video with us Brian!!
Yes!
Thx Brian. There are 3 good systems (Solark 15K, Schneider XW Pro & EG4 18K-PV) a fourth one could be added, the Appolo. You did a wonderful job and I hope you can enjoy your investment for years to come. Congratulations Brian!
I will never buy anything EG4 again. I’ll pay extra for great customer service.
We found a small company in Oklahoma to do the installation and setup. 12kw panels, sol ark 15k, and 10kw storz batteries. $42k with grid buyback available. Turn key, and i watched enough to underthe basics.
@@fredbecker607 congrats! You won’t regret it. Look to expand your battery bank as your budget allows. If you could get to 30 kwh’s of batteries you’ll start to get close to being off grid nearly all the time if you use the amount of electricity a typical house in the US uses per day (20-30 kwh’s).
@@unpluggedtexan Agree about adding more batteries to be closer to being always off grid. Especially if you have enough pv panels to recharge the batteries even on low sun days.
Sweet, Fred! As a solar enthusiast I would recommend expanding your battery bank, just to be sure, and Storz is a Sol-Ark partner, which makes it better. Congrats!
Another great video, Brian. Thanks for the overview. All the best from north Texas.
And from Central Texas
Look into building 2x 304 AH EVE in a EEL battery box with a seplos 200A BMS. I have roughly same set up as you, (15K, eg4 rack (4)eg4 lifepower 2x Jakiper(100ah) 2x Trophy (100ah) and 2x 305 eve/304 envision cells.
Last 2 cost 2700/2200$ . Huge $ save.
Very nice setup. Im surprised you didnt make the panel racks adjustable for the seasons. I dove into making batteries awhile back and just built a 7kw one for less than 1000 bucks using 280ah cells. You can cut your battery cost in less than half with diy battery racks. There is another Texas guy I watch on here. You guys have me on zillow looking at houses down there. Id love to escape this leftist hell hole called WA.
Just brilliant thank you 👍🏻
Wow! I guess I'm way above normal. I use 84kWh per day on average, everything electric and 2 EVs. Looking at a very similar system.
Yeah two ev’s would definitely put you above avg. But you also aren’t paying for gasoline.
I have a 2,000 propane tank.
No problem in corona time
@@coziii.1829 that a huge tank!
Great video and breakdown.
Cool!
Really nice system. Curious how many and what type of spare parts you keep on hand in case of an extended grid outage.
You have five homes powered by one 15K? One of them is your home. Are the other four dog houses or running mostly on LP? Don’t forget to add midnite solar surge protection devices.
No my Sol-Ark runs my home, my work shop and office, and a well pump and water pressure pump. The well and water pressure pump feed water and pressure to five homes on my property so it takes a ton of power.
@@unpluggedtexan I was curious because I barely run one all-electric home with 4.25T high efficiency HP’s, at 38Lat on two 12Ks, 32kWp, 168kWh diy LFP.
@@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrityI hear you! My place is 1170 sq ft, totally insulated to r45, new double pane energy efficient windows, new roof, brick home. Mr Cool 3 ton 2 unit mini split ( that we don't get to use because of not enough power!!) We line dry our clothes, hand wash our dishes, have a propane 11gpm water heater, and propane stove/oven with oven electric ignighter, 90% of our lights are Led's. I don't get it!! 2 eg4 6500ex inverters, 12(2-6 banks) of eg4 lithium ion 48v batteries, a total of 60+ kw battery backup. I'm blown away here!!!
Yes propane generators give lower output with higher fuel usage then gasoline or diesel.
Something doesn't sound right with three month wait for propane delivery when thet are required to deliver within 7 days of your call/order
I think the same, it should not take that long! We need to support the transition to green energy and this type of systems are a great example and great application. In my opinion he us using one of the best inverters in the market.
@@GusTulsashould look at victron
The problems with the Texas Grid is squarely due to Ercot's lack of oversight on the industry.
Market forces.. Which one causes the privatized Texas grid to be reliable?
Consider SUB - Solar Utility Battery and save you Battery for Grid Fail. It cost 10 to 30 cents to convert kWh to eChem and back. do the math. If you have TOU then eChem power has payback.
If the batt run low and it goes to grid what if the grid is down while the batteries are low.
I have a propane backup 240v generator as well.
I sat here for a solid minute saying to myself "Tour my own Solar System" wondering just exactly what inter dimensional shit you were on..... lol. damn. im dumb.
What settings on your Sol-Ark 15K did you use to power your load first with you PV, then with your battery and finally with your grid? Also, since I can't figure out how to even search for this, do the voltages across your system (as seen by pressing the battery icon on the inverter screen) all follow whatever voltage your grid is pumping out to you? I don't have my battery yet, and that's what I'm seeing. I'm wondering if that behavior stops with a battery (i.e., it doesn't matter if the grid is feeding me 116V or 124V, the load will always get 120V).
It’s been quite awhile since I programmed it. I have Sol-Ark a call and they walked me through the programming. Give them a call. That’s what you’re paying the premium for going with Sol-Ark. They’ve had great customer service for me. And I didn’t let them know I have a TH-cam channel so they were treating me like any other customer.
Did you actually wire the grid directly to the solArk? Not jut a double pull breaker 50 amp. But actual 100 amp service directly to the SolArk.
Just wondering how I could do that.
Yep wired from the electric meter directly to the Sol-Ark 15k. From the Sol-Ark it feeds into my main 200amp electrical panel via 3/0 thhn wire. The sol-Ark 15k can pass through 200amps from the grid to your home panel.
@@unpluggedtexaninteresting idea
Same with mine: The grid goes to my inverter, which distributes all power. I do have a bypass switch if I want to make the grid go to my main panel, but that is for use if I want to take the inverter off line, or if the inverter fails.
IMO a total off grid system is the way to go.....if you have the space to do it. You obv do have that space. But even in an urban environment there is a lot to gain from battery power.
And you touched on this....inflation.....how much more expensive and how much less reliable will the grid become?
Heading off to work washed and refreshed is way better than heading off tired and face washed.
Cheers, gr8 vid.
No I don't think I want that solar ark At 1 time I didn't want a differentype of solar inverter but now I think I might go with generators. Maybe I still get a solid converter. I don't know but the problem that I had last year in the middle of the summer, the 23rd of July. I don't know if I'd go with a inverter anymore. But I still might.
That’s a very good system, very big! Nice explanation of the design. I wonder if the air conditioning demands are what is taxing the grid, much more than EV cars, the EV cars can charge at off peak hours easily. Thanks for the video.
I thought the benefit of Solark is a chutoff is not required. Am I wrong
No you’re not wrong. I just wanted a way to shut down the panels where the panels are located.
How well does the induction cooktop work with solar?
Works great. My family uses our induction cooktops most nights of the week for cooking.
@@unpluggedtexan thanks..
And saves about 25% on power!
WIndmill for storms? You have any EV cars?
I haven’t found a wind turbine that is worth it so far. They either don’t produce hardly any power, or the ones that do are so expensive it would be cheaper to just add more solar panels and batteries. I don’t have an EV car at this point. Am researching to see if it makes sense now that I can power it for free with my solar system.
Simple question... what type fuses did you install in your AC disconnect? (RK1, RK5 or ?)
These are the ones I use. amzn.to/4c1z2Be
Did you connect an EMP Shield to your battery bank?
Good question
So you have at least a one and a 1/2 horse power. Well, pump in the ground that's 240 V. Then you have another probably 3/4 horse or one horse pump. That's two forty there could be running at the both at the same time. So you already using at least half your inverter. And assuming you have an AC in the house and AC in your shop and anything else turned on. Like the clothes dryer and the washer you're gonna be over your twelve k. I have been off the grid for 7 years with a twelve k inverter. I also have A310AC on the house. I wanted to have horsepower well pump and all kinds of other large things that get to run at my shop. I even have 3000 W of AC couold panels. So during the middle of the day I actually have fifteen thousand watts of usable and I could still go over.
My 2 hp we’ll pump lulls about 2,000 watts when running. My above ground pressure pump for water to all our homes is on a variable speed pump so it pulls anywhere from 500 to 3,000 watts. My 24k bth mini split runs on about 1,500 watts. My heat pump water heater runs on 400 watts, my heat pump clothes dryer runs on about 500 watts. I’m never pulling more than 8,000 watts at a time. But I would have been with my old electric appliances.
@unpluggedtexan Interesting I 1.5 horsepower. Well pump pulls thirty two percent of my twelve k inverter. My pump is rated for fifteen gallons a minute. And it actually brings up twelve gallons a minute. I wonder how you're only getting away. With two thousand watts on a two horsepower motor?
@@terrya6486 my well pump only does 5 gallons a minute. I’m kind of bummed about that. That’s probably why, but it is 2hp. But it’s 460 ft in the ground which may be why.
Check out the new GE all in one heat pump washer and dryer. It’s been a game changer for me to stay under 12kw. It’s about $2,400 so it’s not cheap though. It’s full size, my wife loves it.
@unpluggedtexan So how did the clothes feel when it comes out of the dryer? Everybody says to close still feel damp when they come out.
Did Sol-Ark fix their inductive load problem?
I’ve never had a problem with my Sol-Ark 15k. I run large loads every day (2 hp well pump, 240v surface water pressure pump to pressurize water to 5 homes on my property, my traditional AC which surges to 125 amps, power tools…ect)
The 12 had a problem with 120 volt high surge but not the 240 so it was an unbalanced thing with each leg. @@unpluggedtexan
@@offgridwanabe I’ve had no issue with power tools on 120v so it appears whatever issue they had with the 12k must have been addressed.
First hw version of the 12k had that issue, 15k and latest 12k's don't anymore
👍🏾👍🏾
The problem with Texas is it's power grid is isolated from the rest of the country unlike other states and also the state and electrical utilities are not doing anything to improve the system that is why there is all the black out's it's the state's fault !
That's a lot of panels 😂
What I did is I used solar panels to run my house and what I did is not used a grid. What I did is use nothing but solar panels, and I did that for several years with there's sunny days, there's no sunny days it didn't matter. I didn't have the grid. I didn't care about the grid. I didn't want the grid. I didn't care if I couldn't power everything when I didn't have fully powered batteries. It didn't matter to me 1 bit. Who cares if I can't use the kitchen oven? Because I don't have enough hard because there was no sun. I guess to use a grill. Or air fryers or other things Who cares. And you wanna know the best parts I live in Wisconsin? Will we get snow in 3040 below 0? Sometimes norium, right around 22 below. Sometimes 30 below, but still but for some reason. Today. It's actually quite nice out so nice. I think we're moving down to Texas with this weather. I mean, right now. It's pair woman here than it is in Texas. And this is the beginning of february and the coldest month of the year. But I suppose you gotta like it when the North Pole moves farther away.
A pretty soon I end up in the middle of Russia somewhere. Is not? I don't know exactly where, but it used to be in Alaska for one part of time, at least 26000 years, but then it moves up to where the North Pole was for 26000 years now, it's moving again, it's going to be a Russia someplace. Too bad I don't have enough solar panels to run everything in my house all that exact same time but I'll be getting there pretty soon. The only problem is none of the solve panels are all the same size. I'm got a few one size a few another size. A few another size. A couple another size so I can't connect them all together with one another.
So I was running all 12 V. But I think I'm starting to change that a little bit.
To run with generators, solar generators.
Cause I won't get anything that uses gas or cool. Or any kind of fuel other than electricity.
I need to select trees if I mache from the solar panels I buy.
Make it $50k because you really should have double the battery capacity.
Awesome system, thank you for sharing. It will be interesting to see how the eg4 inverter compares to Sol Ark
Why so many panels? I have a 15k as well, but I only have 32 440w bifacial panels. Are you not having an issue with overloading the solark?
Nope no issue. The Sol-Ark 15k can handle up to 19,500 watts of panels. I have 19,200 watts. When I produce more than it can handle (15,000 usable watts) it just drops the remaining amount. It really helps on days like today where it’s raining. I’m still powering my whole home and have charged my batteries from 46% to 70%.
electricity crazy demands.. you said it all.. the whole world been hit of that!!!
Why is it that Sol-Ark has never posted pics or videos of their US based manufacturing facility? Just curious?
Concrete bolts for that solid rock
What part of Texas? I'm in East Texas outside of Crockett. I'm putting my system in next few months hopefully done by Spring
Central Texas
thanks for sharing.
Great channel, you talk and I understand. I have questions. BUT a bit of advice for those of us who live in very hot climates, install an evaporator cooler to control the temperature of the inverters and batteries. This was an inexpensive solution for the 118 degree heat in the West Valley on Phoenix, AZ. The BMS will shut down. The portable AC unit blowing on the system will also over heat. What a mess. 2-12k Sol-Arks - 4 Fortress E-Flex batteries.
I'm curious about your suggestion for the cooler on the inverter: my Sol-Ark 15k sees plenty of 100 degree plus days here in West Sacramento during the summer. It doesn't seem to care, but it does use those fans a lot. My Homegrid battery, which is inside my laundry room, doesn't care about the heat. I think that's because the batteries do a lot less work than the inverters. Anyway, I'm always interested in hearing suggestions about cooling the inverter. One limitation I have is that my inverter is outside, although fully protected from sun and rain. But it's not in a room that can be isolated from the outdoor temp.
US Customs records for Ningbo Deye Inverter Technology, a supplier based in China. ssows shipments to Portable Solar Llc Dba Sol-ark Llc in Allen, Texas.266 container sized shipments. thought Sol-Ark inverters were supposedly made in the U.S.A.?
You are not off grid!!!
I rarely use the grid. Only as backup since it’s cheaper than propane. Do I have a grid connection? Yes. But I live as off grid as anyone else. I just use a different backup system that’s cheaper (grid) when it’s available.
How many watts are your solar panels?
I have 60 Longi panels. 320 watts each.
@@unpluggedtexan thank you!
I would NEVER power an off grid home with a low surge, high frequency, transformerless inverter. It's got to be a low frequency, transformer based inverter like an Schneider XW or a Sigineer inverter or nothing.
So let's assume non of the loads are inductive, like a maximum backup load of 1000 watts,... And this includes one TV, small 100 watts fridge, xbox series x and couple of lights, and lastly one 50 watts standing fan... Would one really still need a transformer based inverter... Am in a dilemma right now.
Or would you trust a victron instead?
@donlatinohits If you are only powering non-inductive loads, then a high frequency inverter would be fine. You will still have a shorter life expectancy from a high frequency inverter, but the inverter will cost you less.
This is Big $.
Yeah it’s a sizable investment. Worth it in my opinion. But I’m also in process of putting together a system on a family members home that is going to be half the cost, and will cover critical circuits in a home rather than every circuit. It would also still lower your electric bill by more than half, and still give you power to run your home (the critical circuits) should the grid go out.
@@unpluggedtexan Why not just cut the grid entirely?
@@JamesG1126 I’m in a unique situation where my solar system powers a deep water well pump and water pressure pump to send water to 5 different homes on my property. If my solar system went down for some reason it would affect a lot of people. So I want to have redundancy when it comes to backup power. That’s why I have both the grid and a propane generator as backup. And it makes financial sense as well since power from the grid is cheaper than propane.
0:55 and I comment. Hahaha, what a bogus argument about "getting more electric cars plugged into the grid", while a second later talking about a propane generator. Okay, it's propane, probably not a big deal. However, ask yourself how much energy is needed for fuel refinement. Deduct that amount from the grid's capacity and you'll suddenly see that electric cars shouldn't be a problem.
However, I clicked on your video for a reason which you explained very well and totally agree! I've heard Texas E(R)COT (R in "reliability") had a lot of struggles, if I would live there I'd do the same as you did! Well done, Sir!