Matt's starter system for $2500.

[Mattb4]

Just for fun I decided to see what I could come up today off Amazon for an Off grid starter system that could provide a decent amount of PV power for someone looking to setup a small system. What I came up with is the following.

1200w worth of PV. 6-200w Alrska panels at $158.98ea for a total of $953.88

https://www.amazon.com/Alrska-Efficiency-Module-System-Marine/dp/B0BCW7VGDN/ref=sr_1_20?crid=2H2Z1RY28JSXA&keywords=200w+solar+panel&qid=1692804760&sprefix=200w+%2Caps%2C310&sr=8-20

24vDC PowMr AIO (new model with 450Voc PV, 80a charging) for $449.08

https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Controller-Lead-Acid-Lithium-Battery/dp/B0C5DCGXSJ/ref=sr_1_11?crid=92JQLNR1SA9F&keywords=solar+inverter+3000w&qid=1692805008&sprefix=Solar+inverter%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-11&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5137e923-c7be-4142-979c-7c68b6c26f63

And 1 Cloud Energy 150ah 24vDC battery for $849.95

https://www.amazon.com/Cloudenergy-3-84kWh-LiFePO4-Battery-Lifetime/dp/B0B56N9NHC/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2ECFE41KI6MLX&keywords=24vdc%2Blifepo4%2Bbattery&qid=1692805121&sprefix=24vDc%2Bli%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5137e923-c7be-4142-979c-7c68b6c26f63&th=1

Total Amazon price = $2252.95 before tax.


There are some additional costs for wiring, and breakers and such that you should be able to keep under $2500 with some luck. But that is dependent on type of installation chosen.

While not Tier 1 components all of these should be reasonable versus some of the stuff you see sold as a kit.

Does anyone else have a similar type of beginners low cost setup from a trusted source? If so I thought this Thread might be a good way to introduce a decent setup.

 

[Mattb4]

Uh... I goofed. You would need 8 panels (series wired) instead of 6 to run the PowMr new style. The old style with the Voc of 100v could run with 6 panels. There is Powland model of this (SRNE) at $400 on Amazon.

The extra panels changes the price to $2570.90

It is important to keep in mind all the specs.

 

[rci]

I have 2 ea. Renogy 100W & 2 HQST 100W solar panels and some other 12V parts I currently use but was wondering something similar to what you're proposing. I was thinking (for future expansion) the:
1. PowMr 5000 Watt (Solar Inverter Pure Sine Wave 48V 110V, Off-Grid 5KW Power Inverter Built in 80A MPPT Controller, 40A AC Charger, Max.PV Input 500V)- net $640
2. WEIZE 48V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery, Built-in 100A Smart BMS, Up to 8000 Deep Cycles, 4800Wh Rechargeable Battery - net $1,499
3. possibly a ground mount racking system for around $300+-.......
And of course all the cables, etc. needed. Is there any reason that going to a 48V system wouldn't work ? If this is feasible I'd probably upgrade the solar panels to a larger Wattage in the future. What I really am wondering is why 24V instead of going ahead and getting 48V stuff ?
Oops, I see from your edit that there are some restrictions with the PowMr inverter, I would probably just buy how ever many new 200W panels I'd need or maybe just get however many larger panels and get it over with.

 

[Mattb4]

... What I really am wondering is why 24V instead of going ahead and getting 48V stuff ?

It is a good question. 48vDC does allow for more future expansion at a higher initial cost for a beginner's system. I tried to come up with as low of cost a setup as I could find that could be still a decent setup for a person.

 

[rci]

that's a perfectly acceptable explanation, thanks for saying it..... rci

 

[Mattb4]

If you don't mine buying from Ebay I happened to spot these 200w Werchtay panels* on special at $135.99 (buy one and get the second at 5% off). panels for the beginners system. That would be 7 at 135.99 and 1 at $129.20 total $1081.13

*https://www.ebay.com/itm/1658344037...-a49e-2a488992e709|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage

 

[underdog5004]

Also check craigslist, I routinely see ~200w panels go8ng for $40-50 each.

 

[Mattb4]

Also check craigslist, I routinely see ~200w panels go8ng for $40-50 each.

Some areas have great prices on used panels. Not around where I live and shipping costs make used panels (along with reliability concerns) not an option for many.

 

[Bluedog225]

I’m finding eBay better than amazon for a lot of stuff.

Reviews are not fake. Seller reputation is real and carefully guarded.

 

[Mattb4]

I’m finding eBay better than amazon for a lot of stuff.

Reviews are not fake. Seller reputation is real and carefully guarded.

My big issue with a lot of solar items on Ebay is fake specifications. The Werchtay panels at 58.27x26.77in = ~1 square meter and at the advertised 22% efficiency that make a 200w panel very likely.

 

[SamDeleted]

Great idea Matt , I like Amazon, I've always had good experiences , they stand behind the warranties. Very user friendly .. BUT it's worth noting they've not always got the best price ..



Hope you don't mind me posting a list for the UK? It's a little bit smaller inverter than yours. a very cheap list




4x 400w mono half cell panels

https://amzn.eu/d/4ipDEpB

£740

EDECOA 2500W AIO Inverter 24V DC to 230V 240V AC with 80A MPPT

https://amzn.eu/d/e67S19z

£329

4x SuperBatt AGM 12v 120ah ( 24v/240ah )

https://amzn.eu/d/6g8wMlF

£600

Plus £150 for cables and breakers etc.




1.6kw solar array
24v 2500w AIO inverter
4x120ah deep cycle AGM (4.6kwh usable to 80%dod)

£1820 total delivered inc. VAT

 

[Mattb4]

Great idea Matt , I like Amazon, I've always had good experiences , they stand behind the warranties. Very user friendly .. BUT it's worth noting they've not always got the best price ..



Hope you don't mind me posting a list for the UK? It's a little bit smaller inverter than yours. a very cheap list




...

Thanks. Other countries would have differnt options. One thing I have seen is often solar equipment designed for 230vAC single phase is cheaper than stuff we can get here in the US for split phase or single phase 120vAC

 

[SamDeleted]

Thanks. Other countries would have differnt options. One thing I have seen is often solar equipment designed for 230vAC single phase is cheaper than stuff we can get here in the US for split phase or single phase 120vAC

Also exchange rate , it comes to $2,289.74usd , and that's with lead acid batteries

 

[Rednecktek]

OK @Mattb4 ready for a real challenge? I got a noodle project for ya! (Sleep debt may be involved so...)

HAVE:
8-ish old 200w panels, ~37Vmp and 6-ish amps
Plenty of wall space
Wire, crimps, hardware, etc.
40a SCC 12/24v


NEED:
3Kw+ of 240v Split Phase power, low frequency
~2Kwh+ of storage + overhead
COLD Protection!
CHEAP!!!!!!11111oneoneone (So no Victron)

WOULD LIKE:
30a+ step down converter to 12v, but no objections to the current 2x 100Ah FLA setup I have now as a separate system
24v based so I can reuse the 40a SCC

Not picky about 24v or 48v, just needs to run the well pump for an hour a day worst case scenario. About the best I'm coming up with is:

2Pack 12V 200AH Plus Low Temp Cutoff LiFePO4 - $1100​

Sigineer Power 3000W 24V Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger - $850​

F.S.P 150 Amp MRBF Terminal Fuse 150a - $25​

DC 24V Step Down to DC 12V 30A 360W - $23​

ECO-WORTHY 4 String PV Combiner Box - $75 (Have to do 2s4p to that SCC)​

Or, in the 48v world:

FOIIOE VESTWOODS 48V 100Ah - $1350​

EG4 6K Off-Grid Split Phase Inverter (Refurbished, discontinued?) - $1100​

OR

6000W 48v Hybrid Solar Inverter 120V/240v Split Phase - $1200​

80 Amp MRBF Terminal Fuse - $25​

So it looks like 24v is slightly cheaper ($2075 VS $2575) because I can re-use the MPPT controller feeding the current 12v system.

Of course if I was insane I'd stick with a 12v setup:

2Pack 12V 200AH Plus Low Temp Cutoff LiFePO4 - $1100​

SUNGOLDPOWER 4000W 12V Inverter Charger - $1000​

HQST 60 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller - $220 (in parallel with the 40a in there)​

FBL-300 300 Amp Fuse Class T with Block - $90​

For a grand total of $2410, about smack dab in the middle.

Can you do any better?

 

[OffGridForGood]

In the 24v world:
MPP 2724 US stock $388 USD
(not quite 3k output) limited PV input capacity.

In the 48v world:
Option for 120/240 6K inverter:
MPP LV6048 - Maximumsolar.online $943 USD (plus shipping=1169USD) US stock.

 

[Rednecktek]

It's gotta start a 2500w well pump, hence the Low Frequency requirement. ?

 

[OffGridForGood]

It's gotta start a 2500w well pump, hence the Low Frequency requirement. ?

Ops, the 2724 is out then. it would likely go into fault. (runs my .25hp jet pump at camp on 120v)
the 6048 will start a deep well pump - did with mine! as long as you have 200Ah+ battery.

 

[rodrick]

It's gotta start a 2500w well pump, hence the Low Frequency requirement. ?

How deep is the well

 

[OffGridForGood]

Low Frequency option MPP LVX 6048 - $886USD plus shipping = 1174USD
But the standby draw is a lot higher.

 

[Rednecktek]

How deep is the well

About 260ft