Hello

I hope I am posting in the right section, my first post and wanted to say hello. I have been reading on here for months and learning a lot. I am in the process of buying components for a solar system and know this site/people will be of great help, looking forward to learning more.

Welcome to the Forums!

Snow Belt Solar said:

I am in the process of buying components for a solar system

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I really REALLY hope you've done all the power auditing and planning before you spent a dime on parts...

Well the audit part....

I think the planning part I am ok.

A background of everything. We are moving to a relative's home who are downsizing. Everything is electric in the home. The other options are fuel oil and propane (no thanks).

I have reviewed the electric bills and talked to the electric company about the process. We will actually be on a co-OP electric program, meaning its owners are the users. It is an affordable electric rate but the heating part uses a lot. There are actually 2 electric meters at the house, one standard and one interruptable that is reduced rate. The reduced rate goes to the heaters, hot water, and dryer.

We have a location to install the system that has no trees within several hundred feet. The only permit is an electrical check when hooking it up.

The engineer at the electric company was very helpful on our questions and electric usage.

We have only spent money on panels and racking so far

Heaters of any kind, whether room or food or water, are a real beast on electric. Just for a point of reference an American bog-standard-found-in-every-store electric heater is 1500w. A 100Ah 12v LFP battery is about $350 on the low end. The heater will drain the battery dry in about 45 minutes.

Snow Belt Solar said:

The engineer at the electric company was very helpful on our questions and electric usage.

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That's always a win right there! Buy them beer, you WANT them to be your friend.