arfbarkyPrime
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2022
- Messages
- 5
Howdy, I've been watching both Will's and Jehu's videos recently, on batteries especially. I have a 39 panel system (Mage 230 watt) and Enphase M190 grid-tied inverters, I've had it for 12 years and it's been great (SE Michigan).
What's not so great is the changes the utility (DTE) made to the solar program. I generate a ton of excess, and DTE would cut me a check in February for $600+ every year. But then they changed the purchase rate from retail to wholesale, and now I always have an electric bill again when my over generation used to cover both electric and nat gas usage.
So, with battery prices dropping and cool new inverters around, I'm interested more than ever in keeping all my power.
My ideal system is: run the entire house as is, from battery 24/7 so I never see power outages, charge from solar and keep selling excess if possible, charge from grid when necessary and if the grid is out, charge from natural gas generator I already have (it's manual hookup/startup).
I am an avid DIYer, I've done a lot of plumbing, a lot of electrical and a lot of carpentry. I've also been in the I.T. industry for a very long time, so tech is no problem. I have a licensed electrician friend who vets things for me when I need it. And I was a firefighter/EMT-B for 18 years, so if I fall off a roof or something, I can save myself.
Where do I start research for my ideal system? I'm fine with starting small, small battery, a couple circuits moved off-grid, and building up as time goes on and money permits more battery purchases, etc. I just want to make sure I start right and as always the goal is to do it an inexpensively as possible.
What do I do next? Thanks!
What's not so great is the changes the utility (DTE) made to the solar program. I generate a ton of excess, and DTE would cut me a check in February for $600+ every year. But then they changed the purchase rate from retail to wholesale, and now I always have an electric bill again when my over generation used to cover both electric and nat gas usage.
So, with battery prices dropping and cool new inverters around, I'm interested more than ever in keeping all my power.
My ideal system is: run the entire house as is, from battery 24/7 so I never see power outages, charge from solar and keep selling excess if possible, charge from grid when necessary and if the grid is out, charge from natural gas generator I already have (it's manual hookup/startup).
I am an avid DIYer, I've done a lot of plumbing, a lot of electrical and a lot of carpentry. I've also been in the I.T. industry for a very long time, so tech is no problem. I have a licensed electrician friend who vets things for me when I need it. And I was a firefighter/EMT-B for 18 years, so if I fall off a roof or something, I can save myself.
Where do I start research for my ideal system? I'm fine with starting small, small battery, a couple circuits moved off-grid, and building up as time goes on and money permits more battery purchases, etc. I just want to make sure I start right and as always the goal is to do it an inexpensively as possible.
What do I do next? Thanks!