What lessons have you learned working with solar?

[timselectric]

Depends on what you think ROI is,

Return On Investment.

 

[timselectric]

I get a kick out of watching the neighbors reactions when they ask how long before it pays for itself and I answer never

You are doing it wrong, too. lol

 

[Q-Dog]

We started with batteries and an inverter to replace most of our generator use during power outages. No solar. I expected the same ROI from this as I got from my gasoline generator ... meaning none. But then every time we lose grid power and we don't need to use a gasoline generator, my wife says the system just paid for itself.

BUT, then we started adding solar panels. And for the cost of just the solar components, our ROI is about 4 years.

 

[ksmithaz1]

If it's purely about saving money, ... Grid tie some panels with micro-inverters.

If your trying to get to the next level with batteries and grid-backup, meet the demand of the loads you want to run.

Get a MicroAir or equivilent type device for any of your high inductive loads. You can build the system big enough to do it without, but why stress it? It keeps it from dimming the lights.

Take your time! Don't get impatient there is a lot of things you will be working with that can kill you.

Don't be afraid to start over if you realize you missed something.

Just buy the darn tool! Don't fake it.

Measure twice, cut once!

 

[registered-bum]

ROI
Obviously depends on the situation, and being off-grid, our local POCO wanted north of $65k to run lines and install the 6 poles to bring power to the parcel, generously allowing me the privilege of paying for their infrastructure and then the privilege of the monthly bill. And yes there could be a cost sharing (giveback) if other local-yocals tie into the infrastructure along the route, but that's a big IF.

Still under $30k for my all-in tools, materials and equipment ... not counting personal labor.
For 2023 we logged generator run-time of about 1,580 hours, and were down to 267 hours for 2024.
Nice whenever possible to avoid the noise and hassle of refueling and servicing the gennies.
Mrs: "why do you smell like gas/diesel ...?"

 

[Johneb]

Cheops Law is still valid.

Had to look that up. That’s so true. I could have solar months ago if I had gone with the system the companies wanted to install. But no, I had to have an Outback inverter.

 

[bolhuijo]

ROI calculations are for things you DIDN'T want to buy. I didn't want to buy another machine for my factory but this veeblefetzer polisher will pay for itself in 4 years. I did want the king nebula package for my Canyonero SUV despite the $30k upcharge so no need to talk about ROI.
I did want my solar panels and also the ROI is realistic for my system. Double bonus!

 

[ksmithaz1]

I've got right at $50K in it. Knowing what I know now, and ... The price having dropped on panels, and choosing different inverters I could have the exact same setup I have for around $35K. But the #1 lesson I learned was actually:

Batteries are the most expensive thing you will buy, the bulkiest thing you will have to figure out where to put, and you will never have enough.

 

[42OhmsPA]

You will learn to hate clouds, during the day, with a passion.

 

[bolhuijo]

You will learn to hate clouds, during the day, with a passion.
View attachment 270072

 

[Crowz]

View attachment 270073

Me EVERY DAY!



Hmm I wonder if flak cannons might help disperse clouds......

 

[Brucey]

I was going to call the cops today I got robbed by clouds!

 

[JJJJ]

If your panels are off line for maintenance you can be sure every day they are down it will be clear with sunny skies. Or at least it will feel that way.

 

[JJJJ]

A quality multimeter and your crimpers and wire cutters are some of your favorite tools.

Also the finish line is elusive. There is the next improvement, next project, etc.

 

[dougbert]

Don't use automotive cables, fuses, or busbars for 48V systems.
Be wary of inexpensive DC breakers on Amazon.

YES

Doing this as a hobby is fine, but don't expect any ROI.
Victron rules!

I do expect power when the grid is down - that is priceless - that was my top 3 goals

"Its the features I need, not the money I spend that matters most"

I never expected ROI, but I still was careful. I planned and hit about 80% of design targets upon implementation, the other 20% was replacement products or rewire work. Not bad IMHO

26 years of systems, that grew over time, from $5 a watt panels to today

The system I built, that I have now, cost in parts is about $30,000 and DIY work
70kwh of batteries

2nd generation of panels - 20 of the 32 were free - 4 250w + 28 305w to 375w - NEED MORE
4th generation of battery - lead acid (3 types) to DIY Tesla Model S
4th generation of inverters - 12v ??? to 24v Trace to 48v Xantrex to XW Pro
3rd generation of CCs - PWM to RV MPPT to Conext MPPT
mostly same AC and DC wiring and conduit, and mounts

NOW I am replacing my main AC panel with a 200 amp - aim for this.
Was 60 amp service, now 125 amp service, will be 200 amp service - someday

biggest mistake: I used PVC conduit for the 6 awg DC feeders from combiner to DC bus. At the time I was a 24v array and battery system. 30v and above needs metal conduit. When I switched to 48vdc based system, I now have on my queue replacement tasks for the PVC conduit on the 4 arrays

Wire size on your inverter OUTPUT should be large enough to handle your end result, other wise you will need to R&R the older smaller conductor.

Ask me how I know.

My CLP is now a 100 amp panel and is supplied now with #2 (115amp) copper from the grid (100amp breaker) and #1 (130amp) copper from the dual inverters to Transfer Switch and again #1 from TS to CLP. Not that long of a run, and #1 just feels better in that path.

Dual inverters can do 24,000 watts for 1 minute, which is 100 amps

If I go 3 inverters, which will require some custom rewiring to place the unit, they can do 36,000 watts for 1 minute, which is 150 amps. that conductor path should be fine, as that is definitely an upper limit I will not try to reach and the inverters would shut down. the conductor is THWN-2 and for 90Deg C, can support 150amps

Today, I would install the Boss siblings for 200 amp on a new install, but not this house

,
Lastly,,

• print out Table 310.16 and keep it close to your heart, and usually follow the 75Deg C column
• get the latest NEC, tab it and search it
• utilize Mike Holt guides and videos
• watch Ryan Jackson videos
• watch Mayfield videos
• watch Electrical Code Coach videos
• continue to learn

 

[LydMekk]

In the planning cycle ask yourself this: Are there females in the household?
If so, double any max load presumptions... ^^

 

[OffGridForGood]

All I wanted, was to keep some lights on and run a few small corded hand tools during a grid outage...HONEST !!
Now read my signature block, and tell me How the Hell we got from ^^^^^^^ here to All That !
- that is my lesson learned...and Proud of it!

 

[dougbert]

All I wanted, was to keep some lights on and run a few small corded hand tools during a grid outage...HONEST !!
Now read my signature block, and tell me How the Hell we got from ^^^^^^^ here to All That !
- that is my lesson learned...and Proud of it!

the cool thing, yeah, the cool thing is...............you KNOW what all that equipment is. Intimately

and your wife, your kids and brother-in-law roll their eyes when you mention the word........solar

 

[OffGridForGood]

and your kids and brother-in-law roll their eyes when you mention the word........solar

Nope - they have all learned to RUN, cause they know what I am going to talk about...Ha Ha Ha
actually my grand-daughter thinks she has the Cooooolest Grandpa ever, she brags about how "my grandpa knows everything about solar, and he's teaching me !! - we started out building some home made e-bikes when she comes to visit on weekends - thats how I got here!

 

[robbob2112]

I just wanted a backup for my cpap so I could run without power and not have to wake up. The tradition style lead acid batteries didn't last and always needed to be replaced.

Then the batteries in the APC 2200 died again so I need to spend $250 to replace them again..... spent it on lfp battery and inverter instead.


And I've been reading and studying OCD style for 18 months and impulse bought the XW Pro setup (was on my short list but to expensive at $3500 an inverter) and will install in May.. should am I kidding, I'll get the wall installed in the next month or so..

 

[Danke]

I learned I have a poor memory. I gotta keep checking back here about the proper way to charge lithium phosphate batteries, etc.

 

[robbob2112]

I learned I have a poor memory. I gotta keep checking back here about the proper way to charge lithium phosphate batteries, etc.

That is my next deep dive topic along with DIY batteries...

 

[OffGridForGood]

I learned I have a poor memory. I gotta keep checking back here about the proper way to charge lithium phosphate batteries, etc.

yup take off the BMS and let the cells start off at 20% 40% 60% 80% SOC and they will all magically balance all on their own!! (or so I read here once somewhere or another)

 

[robbob2112]

yup take off the BMS and let the cells start off at 20% 40% 60% 80% SOC and they will all magically balance all on their own!! (or so I read here once somewhere or another)

I did read that ridiculous thread... and it just died

 

[Johneb]

Nope - they have all learned to RUN, cause they know what I am going to talk about...Ha Ha Ha
actually my grand-daughter thinks she has the Cooooolest Grandpa ever, she brags about how "my grandpa knows everything about solar, and he's teaching me !! - we started out building some home made e-bikes when she comes to visit on weekends - thats how I got here!

Ha! Won’t be long and she will be telling you about the cool new add ons to make them go farther and faster!