Watts Happening
I call it like I see it.
- Joined
- May 3, 2022
- Messages
- 802
Really just sharing an update for those that haven't seen the system and may need a bit of motivation. It sounds like a lot, but it's certainly possible to power your own home without any sacrifices.
Initially the system was to be an EG4 18Kpv, that didn't work out so it became a Sol-Ark 15k. Current battery bank is just (3) SOK 5kWh batteries for a total of 15kWh. I'll be adding another (5) panels to complete the solar pergola tomorrow but thus far it's (10) Canadian Solar 445w (4.45kw total) bifacial panels. Additionally I have 1.6kw installed on my tool trailer outside that is dumping excess power to the house battery bank via an EG4 Chargeverter. Effectively I'd call it about 5.5kw of panels right now, it'll become 8kw tomorrow (Monday). I'll soon install another (10) 395w panels on the roof of the house bringing us to roughly 12kw.
We're in a pretty standard American home, 3 bed 2 bath. (3) Pioneer mini splits inside, 2x 12kbtu and 1x 18kbtu. An additional 12kbtu in the garage.
I fired up the panels on the 6th, and since then we've used zero grid power! Ok, we've pulled 20w continually to eliminate back feeding but at no point needed grid power. We've run everything as normal, TV's, air conditioning with temps in the upper 80s, big fish tank, tech closet with server, a wife... Lowest battery SOC I've seen thus far is 28% which has surprised me, I'll be adding more batteries but I'm focused on the panels right now. I've even put 2-4kWh into my Tesla each day, didn't think I'd have any excess power but have.
Pretty darn neat being able to be on the grid, but effectively generating 100% of your own power. Not exactly sure what the payback period will be, I got some pretty advantageous pricing on most everything so I think it'll be reasonably quick, but I'm really just appreciating the independence provided.
If you haven't seen the pergola, here's a link to its progress. Anyhow, I hope everyone else is heading the right direction on their projects!
diysolarforum.com
You can see our daily grid draw below. You may note it appears we're using more power than generating, the power coming in from the tool trailer isn't factored in (I wish it was) and accounts for roughly 8-9kWh per day.
Initially the system was to be an EG4 18Kpv, that didn't work out so it became a Sol-Ark 15k. Current battery bank is just (3) SOK 5kWh batteries for a total of 15kWh. I'll be adding another (5) panels to complete the solar pergola tomorrow but thus far it's (10) Canadian Solar 445w (4.45kw total) bifacial panels. Additionally I have 1.6kw installed on my tool trailer outside that is dumping excess power to the house battery bank via an EG4 Chargeverter. Effectively I'd call it about 5.5kw of panels right now, it'll become 8kw tomorrow (Monday). I'll soon install another (10) 395w panels on the roof of the house bringing us to roughly 12kw.
We're in a pretty standard American home, 3 bed 2 bath. (3) Pioneer mini splits inside, 2x 12kbtu and 1x 18kbtu. An additional 12kbtu in the garage.
I fired up the panels on the 6th, and since then we've used zero grid power! Ok, we've pulled 20w continually to eliminate back feeding but at no point needed grid power. We've run everything as normal, TV's, air conditioning with temps in the upper 80s, big fish tank, tech closet with server, a wife... Lowest battery SOC I've seen thus far is 28% which has surprised me, I'll be adding more batteries but I'm focused on the panels right now. I've even put 2-4kWh into my Tesla each day, didn't think I'd have any excess power but have.
Pretty darn neat being able to be on the grid, but effectively generating 100% of your own power. Not exactly sure what the payback period will be, I got some pretty advantageous pricing on most everything so I think it'll be reasonably quick, but I'm really just appreciating the independence provided.
If you haven't seen the pergola, here's a link to its progress. Anyhow, I hope everyone else is heading the right direction on their projects!
The Solar Pergola Project - Repurposing a pergola I once built to power our home
Long story short: I built a big steel pergola four years ago and finally realized I should throw solar panels on it. Scroll down for pictures, it's still a work in progress. If you're bored and into solar like I am, read the back story. Back Story Years back I built this pergola in our back...
diysolarforum.com
You can see our daily grid draw below. You may note it appears we're using more power than generating, the power coming in from the tool trailer isn't factored in (I wish it was) and accounts for roughly 8-9kWh per day.
