Tim's build thread (get off my lawn)

[timselectric]

5.5 kw solar
Growatt SPF-5000-ES
Auto transformer
One server rack battery (so far)
Peak solar output so far was 4k.

 

[bones1]

Good job there, looks good.

 

[The Dish Doc]

Very nice

 

[wattmatters]

Nice.

Just wondering about the PV array though.
How are those PV panels affixed to the roof?
Are you planning to put the cables into conduit?

What's that pipe sticking up middle of the roof? Will it and the aerial cause any shading issues?

What size array do you have?

 

[timselectric]

How are those PV panels affixed to the roof

Treated lumber screwed through the rib into the framing. With buytl sealing tape between lumber and roof. Hadn't finished mounting the top row, before I took the picture.

Are you planning to put the cables into conduit?

The solar cables are in conduit. I think that you are looking at the antenna and security camera cables.

What's that pipe sticking up middle of the roof? Will it and the aerial cause any shading issues?

That's an old vent for a gas furnace. They will both be relocated in the next phase. But, doesn't currently create any significant shading.

What size array do you have?

5.5kw at the moment. Purchased 24 250w panels.
The last two will go in the middle after I make room.

 

[timselectric]

Currently satisfying my OCD. lol

 

[timselectric]

Well, it's midnight and I need a hardware store. lol
Guess that I will put it back together, tomorrow.

 

[timselectric]

Back together and working fine.
I took it apart to add a n/g bonding relay.
Murphys law, caused me to dig in a little deeper. lol

 

[SandyMcC]

Hi Tim. I use the same inverter in Australia with 230v (226-245 to be exact)
I have not yet connected my Daly BMS to the inverter and find it annoying that the Growatt's estimate of State Of Charge is so wildly inaccurate and imprecise that I ignore it. The "ShinePhone" app only shows voltage to the nearest volt - IMHO pretty useless.
Have you connected your LIFEPOWER-4 to the inverter digitally?
If so which method did you find was best/easy?

 

[timselectric]

Hi Tim. I use the same inverter in Australia with 230v (226-245 to be exact)
I have not yet connected my Daly BMS to the inverter and find it annoying that the Growatt's estimate of State Of Charge is so wildly inaccurate and imprecise that I ignore it. The "ShinePhone" app only shows voltage to the nearest volt - IMHO pretty useless.
Have you connected your LIFEPOWER-4 to the inverter digitally?
If so which method did you find was best/easy?

At first I did use communications between the battery and inverter. Until I learned more about LFP batteries.
Now everything is manually set. And I monitor and control it all with Solar Assistant.

 

[timselectric]

Update
Finally finished the solar on the house roof.
And redone the first part, on the other side.

 

[timselectric]

And before you say it. Yes, those are plumbing vents poking through. I didn't want to have gaps in the layout. So I put a couple of bad panels to good use.

 

[timselectric]

 

[wattmatters]

And before you say it. Yes, those are plumbing vents poking through. I didn't want to have gaps in the layout. So I put a couple of bad panels to good use.

That's novel!

Nice looking roof.

Are those utility cables an issue, or is the sun on the other side from them?

 

[timselectric]

Sun sets on that corner. Behind me, while taking the picture.
It's actually already behind the trees.

 

[houseofancients]

View attachment 117396

well done tim !

 

[timselectric]

The panels were the easy part.
Making as much available space took time.
Removed two gas furnace vents. (No longer needed)
Relocated gas water heater vent, dryer vent, TV antenna, and four security cameras. Luckily, I just finished putting a new roof on the garage. So I had extra metal for patching everything. Next summer I will cover the garage.

 

[timselectric]

100 panels on the house. (98 functional lol)
Currently way over paneling a single MPPT.

 

[Supervstech]

And before you say it. Yes, those are plumbing vents poking through. I didn't want to have gaps in the layout. So I put a couple of bad panels to good use.

Awesome!

 

[Supervstech]

View attachment 117396

Cool feature of this design choice is you always know what angle the sun is in relation to the panels… built in shadow form.

 

[Adam De Lay]

Very cool! Great job!

 

[timselectric]

It's a long and slow process.
But, I'll get there eventually. Assuming that I ever reach a point where I think I have enough. lol

The first HotSpot mini split arrives today.

 

[Adam De Lay]

It's a long and slow process.
But, I'll get there eventually. Assuming that I ever reach a point where I think I have enough. lol

I doubt any of us will ever get there....

The first HotSpot mini split arrives today.

Take lots of pictures of the install!

 

[timselectric]

Take lots of pictures of the insinstall.

Pictures will come later. I'm currently also remodeling around the system. But, I may crop some in for now. Of just the units.

 

[NCislander]

Looking good Tim, Can't wait to see how the project moves forward. Very cool install.