diy solar

diy solar

Looking at the best way to go with equipment to go off grid in a few years time.

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asmp

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Apr 5, 2024
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Hi,
Name is John, live in Melbourne Australia.
Looking at the best way to go off grid in a few years time with on grid equipment. (If can be done)
About to sign a contract for a 10kw GOODWE inverter, single phase non hybrid (can change after reading your comments) with 28 jinko 475watt jkm475 n-60hl4-v (13.3kw panels) installed for $5000 after Government rebate. I got quoted, $25,000 for an off grid being 15kw which I can not afford at this stage.
Questions!
Is there a 10kw on grid hybrid inverter that I should look at or it will still need to get replaced later?

Are the 475watt panels okay to put on a off grid inverter later or am I best going to 440watt?

Has anyone used a on grid hybrid inverter to go totally off grid? Which one?
I do know the chances will be no to an on grid inverter being used for off grid, just never know... kind regards John
 
If the inverter can work when the grid is down (island) then you can go off grid with it. Outback. Sol-ark, and EG4 18kpv are good ones in the USA.

440 vs 475 watt probably won't make a difference. That issue has to do with max VOC which is inverter dependent, and your site (how many panels on a string).
 
asmp said:
About to sign a contract for a 10kw GOODWE inverter, single phase non hybrid (can change after reading your comments) with 28 jinko 475watt jkm475 n-60hl4-v (13.3kw panels) installed for $5000 after Government rebate. I got quoted, $25,000 for an off grid being 15kw which I can not afford at this stage.
Questions!
.. kind regards John
Click to expand...

Without knowing more about you and your situation and resources / budget, since you are asking questions, I ask you, if it might not be prudent TO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!! until you take some time, read and learn MORE, ask more questions, as you are doing, and then MAYBE sign a contract if you know all the answers to your present and future questions. Read, Search first, ask questions later. Do NOT buy anything (sign contracts) until you really understand how things work. Buying equipment and signing contracts without good knowledge, is usually really really expensive. Being patient and learning and letting the info sit, stew and ruminate in the brain, is more cost effective and better for problem solving. Contracts scare me at least.

Also, have you viewed Off Grid Andy (also from Australia) at www.off-grid-garage.com or Off Grid Garage - YouTube ? When he started his journey, he too had signed a "contract", which he found frustrating to navigate around and expensive and so started exploring and learning through his garage, while his house remained under contract, to eventually take his house off grid once the contract expired, several years into the future. He has learned and shared A LOT, but he also must have incredibly deep finances, as he has spent an incredible amount of money in his journey.
 
Last edited:
DIYrich said:
If the inverter can work when the grid is down (island) then you can go off grid with it. Outback. Sol-ark, and EG4 18kpv are good ones in the USA.

440 vs 475 watt probably won't make a difference. That issue has to do with max VOC which is inverter dependent, and your site (how many panels on a string).
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply as I know it could've been a stupid question. I understand hybrid would be the way to go. Was trying to figure out if I buy a cheap 10kw inverter and then later change to an off grid inverter at a later stage.
I noticed in the US an off Grid inverter is now around $6000 US which a hybrid in Australia is approximately $1800 to $2000 and Goodwe GW10K-MS-30 is only $1100 so may do the cheapest till I can afford batteries, by then I can buy a off grid inverter at hopeful a cheaper price.
 
E. Cho said:
Without knowing more about you and your situation and resources / budget, since you are asking questions, I ask you, if it might not be prudent TO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT!!!!!! until you take some time, read and learn MORE, ask more questions, as you are doing, and then MAYBE sign a contract if you know all the answers to your present and future questions. Read, Search first, ask questions later. Do NOT buy anything (sign contracts) until you really understand how things work. Buying equipment and signing contracts without good knowledge, is usually really really expensive. Being patient and learning and letting the info sit, stew and ruminate in the brain, is more cost effective and better for problem solving. Contracts scare me at least.

Also, have you viewed Off Grid Andy (also from Australia) at www.off-grid-garage.com or Off Grid Garage - YouTube ? When he started his journey, he too had signed a "contract", which he found frustrating to navigate around and expensive and so started exploring and learning through his garage, while his house remained under contract, to eventually take his house off grid once the contract expired, several years into the future. He has learned and shared A LOT, but he also must have incredibly deep finances, as he has spent an incredible amount of money in his journey.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply.
Having Andy's link definitely would help heaps. Thank you! I agree about the contract part of it and walking into a trap. Was hoping to find some Aussie that has done my journey and could hit me over the head to wake me up... I didn't realise how hard of a decision it would be...
 
I'm over in WA and been offgrid for over 20 years.
Don't sign anything until you're closer to the day. Find a sparkie you can work with as opposed to all the dealers.
They often remove perfectly good systems because people are coerced into bigger systems.
Rebates will only go to the dealers.

Plenty of quality 2nd hand panels in Victoria on gumtree.
 
I’m completely off grid in South Australia and have been for over 12 years.

I started off with a SMA Sunny Island, which is now CEC approved as a grid tie hybrid. Compatible with SMA Sunnyboy grid tie inverters, and most commonly available batteries.

I recently purchased a second hand grid tie system comprising of a Selectronic SPpro inverter, and Powerplus batteries. This was programmed to be compatible with Fronius grid tie inverters.

I also have a new DEYE hybrid inverter that is an all in one 5kw inverter, compatible with most batteries. At $2k AUD one of the cheaper options, I’m taking a chance on its longevity as I will use it in a non-critical system.

Goodwe have a CEC accredited hybrid inverter that is at a similar price point also.

That gives you a few options to explore.

Keep in mind as @onrbikes mentioned if you go off-grid you can get grid tie inverter systems from demolitions for next to nothing. I recently picked up a three year old 5kw SunnyBoy system complete with all wiring and racking for $600, and over the years have purchased many similar systems for off-grid people that live nearby.
 
There is a dealer in Perth that removes solar panels and resells them.
I think I bought 10x200w (36v) panels with racks for 900aud.
These guys fill up containers with solar gear and ship to outback stations, and Africa.
 
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