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Finally someone is using their brains. This article is about putting solar panel structures over the existing aqueducts. https://theconversation.com/first-solar-canal-project-is-a-win-for-water-energy-air-and-climate-in-california-177433 They are now looking to put solar panel structures over...

Suggest using a press brake (metal bending machine) if available for best results. Lots of YouTube videos on making metal bending tools out there if you want to make one. Shop vise and hammer works to but cruder results. I’ve had cracking doing this in the past because the vise jaws were sharp...

Warning- Don’t purchase too small of generator. Leave yourself some “headroom” (additional power capacity) when selecting the size of generator. Over stressing the generator can cause all sorts of problems from under voltage too over voltage issues, too voltage glitches/spikes as loads come...

Why 12V….because solar parts are everywhere! From Walmart, HD, Lowe’s, Autozone, Oriel’s, NAPA, Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, Bass Pro,…. 12V systems in a disaster situation can help more people. Solar arrays based off 12v nominal panels even configured for other voltages (24, 36, 48,…)...

Solar Return On Investment (ROI) really comes down to how you define your “return” as monetary, learning experience, preparation,… Personally it’s been a mix of all these things with a bent to be self reliant. I’ve played with solar since the 80s. My senior thesis was on a solar power load...

A couple of years ago Curioscarbon discussed putting solar panels on cars in the “Can the electrical grid handle a boom in electric vehicles “ topic thread. Well someone actually did just that! No more WAG on estimating range either. They installed nine 175watt solar panels on to the Tesla...

A few additional pictures of actual solar farms currently operating in western states. quod erat demonstrandum Been in and around Texas. Yes. Nice once you’re out of the cities. Have any of you driven/visited the deserts of California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, southern Colorado...

Here’s some pictures of an existing large scale solar system built in the desert. This is what they are doing and what they want to do to other locations. Such a sterile barren place compared to what was there. This is not minimizing man’s impacts upon nature. Pictures of the Tucson, AZ...

Got to love today’s “environmentalist” who support maximizing human impacts upon on nature in the name of “green energy“. It’s a desert or vacant land so it’s ok to strip the land clean and keep it sterile. There’s nothing out there. Wrong! There is life there, you’re just not looking for it...

I need more kool-aid or “re-education camp time” I guess in order to ignore the fact that cost of power generation is just one factor of many factors that need to be considered in the selection/decision process. So nice that someone claims 29% lower…blah blah blah so what. How did they...

If you’re concerned about EMP type events, purchasing spare electronics and wrap them up in their packaging in foil. Then wrap them with insulation aka paper. Then wrap again in foil and paper/insulator material. Place wrapped electronics in a tightly sealed metal container. Basically you’re...

For my two pence, I’d run a hybrid system. You have two heavy load items, the AC split and a welder. Do you ”need” the AC system or is it a “want”? The welder, well they do make welders that run off batteries. Are you doing thin/spot welds or 1/2”+ plates. Mig, Tig, or stick welding...

Rednecktek, your statements are spot on! I’m in the tier 2-3 products. That’s why I have spares of everything. If they blow, well I have replacement parts available. I typically can purchase a tier 2 product and a spare for less than one tier 1 product. But I do love the high end tier 1...

I too was considered the new version of POWMR solar charge controller but decided not to purchase them when I saw in a couple reviews stating that the MPPT controller goes into PWM for float mode. Not as big an issue for lead batteries but could be for lithium batteries. If your PV voltage is...

One consideration is to put one or two specific outlets in each room that is only powered off a secondary power source. I‘d go with something like the orange outlets since there’s no confusion that they are not a regular outlet. Basically you‘ll have a regular electrical system throughout the...

Sodium sulfur batteries are not DIY friendly. Clearly not a battery I’d bring home. There might be new designs out there but the ones I’m familiar with are high temperature batteries. The first time I saw these batteries date back to the 80’s when I was in engineering training. My on the job...

Search for Liquid Tin. There’s several threads on this topic. https://diysolarforum.com/search/1321561/?q=Liquid+tin&o=relevance I’ve used it and the copper bus bars come out great. No complicated processing either. Just clean the copper, dip it into the solution, wait a bit, remove from the...

I saw this deal too. Very tempting. I don’t have a current need for 50 watt panels. 50w panels are a bit of an odd ball size for me too but was interested in buying 10 or 12 to have on the shelf for potential future micro solar builds. $30 per panel seems really good. However, I choose to...

Saw an article about a gentleman that modified his Tesla to become a cordless version. Here’s a link to his video on its construction and test road trip. Clearly not ready for prime time but it does work assuming you don’t mind the noise and it’s need to be nearly constantly running. Great...

The best advice I‘ve had on being off grid is to have a spare or work around for everything. That advice came from an off grid user of over 30yrs. Truly wise advice to me. So I practice this with at least one spare to multiple spares and do so because I really don’t want to be without power...

There is a product/website that address this issue - https://www.solarpathfinder.com/ I have an older solar pathfinder version from them and this device can be helpful in planning solar collection location and to see if your location works with solar.

I keep hearing that secretary of energy for the Biden Administration say that solar panels are 30% cheaper today but I can’t find anyone selling panels at a 30% price reduction. If anything I‘m finding new solar panel prices are a lot higher today due to inflation. So far, it looks like...

Hi Lillo9546, your solar shed plan is very doable. Reminds me of my first big solar build for me, though now a days it seems so small, back in the 80’ for my workshop shed. The shed was a detached 20x20 shed that did have a single 110vac line feeding it from the house about 40ft away. I had...

Had to point out that diesel really doesn’t fit in your listing. Diesel is flammable but not explosive at room temp/pressure. Your Oklahoma City reference is misleading since diesel was a coating on the fertilizer material. Totally rocks vs apples comparison. As for EVs going up in flames...

Good topic but could we get specific details please. Spreadsheet data detailing a complete listing of the hardware used, the cost of each item, tools/materials purchased, time spent installing and/or price paid to have it installed, rebates actually obtained, etc. Data like this would...

Here’s a Lithium Ion Polymer battery bank that had two pouch batteries taped together when one of the battery cells failed. (Yes I know it’s not the same chemistry or packaging as LiFePO4. I’m just providing these photos as an example of how taped pouch batteries reacted upon bloating. One can...

If you live rural/remote and you can afford one then most definitely you should own a tractor. I’d recommend one that has the quick connection front for dirt buckets, blades, fork to load/unload palletized goods, must have 3pt rear attachment option, PTO, and have an extra hydraulic controller...

Very true, I‘m in the USA. Love to hear about other users in other countries and how their power providers approach alternate energy/grid tied systems! Good Call!

Oh yeah, Smoking Man passing through here at times, smelt the cigarette smoke! Once he was smoking a cigar. Dogs can see them too. Ok maybe these “aliens” are just us from the future? Aliens could be genetically evolved humans due to DNA manipulation. Maybe they have always been here hiding...

Sorry to rain on the parade but a couple issues that need to be clearly noted. First, I’m not familiar with any power company that allows diy systems to be grid tied. So off grid or grid tied assuming you’ve got to have solar. Also if off grid, what are your local planning department rules...

I can’t take credit for this since another member suggested it many months ago but I use these plastic cutting mats between all of my cells. Affordable Dollar Store prodcut: Cooking Concepts Flexible Chopping Mats, 2-ct. Packs SKU: 145661 I used a paper cutter to trim them down to size and...

Would you recommend solar to your friends? A: Depends upon the situation. Insufficient Data: Solar is just one of many possible solutions to an energy need. One must be able to define the need, specify the location the power is needed, specify the environment the energy will be generated and...

Those must be those dark energy absorbing panels I’ve heard astrophysicist talking about because they can’t be solar panels. Santa travels at night and there isn’t a lot of photon light energy traveling on the dark side of the planet.? Ya know I can use a few Kw of those dark energy absorption...

One firm that has been out there with a salt water battery was/is? Aquion. Google them for all the history of this firm but here’s a link about their battery. https://www.solarelectricsupply.com/solar-batteries/aquion-energy-aspen-ahi-saltwater-battery I had high hopes for them but we’ll see...

Just saw this video on a Tesla that was scrapped because it required a battery replacement that was too expensive. Fitting end I must say…it go boom!