off grid setup

[DCforever]

Originally Posted by Mobinvans

As a master electrician that has been involved in many many sold installs, never ever ever do solar to save money.....it won't happen. But it's a great way to live off grid when there is no power around, but yea it's not cheap and things will always break, always

As a registered professional electrical engineer, don't take investment advice from an electrician. It isn't in his training.

[maddybris]

Loved it, Thanks for sharing

[509]

Originally Posted by Mobinvans

As a master electrician that has been involved in many many sold installs, never ever ever do solar to save money.....it won't happen. But it's a great way to live off grid when there is no power around, but yea it's not cheap and things will always break, always

Nobody saves money on solar. Just today, I was talking to my neighbor. He is redoing his solar system replacing a 20 year old system.......50,000 dollars. Granted he is a urban fellow and as he said it is only money!! But I am jealous of his solar system and for me "only money" is not reality.



Things might break, always and someday. BUT after 23 years with my solar system. Replaced the batteries for 10,000 dollars. Power went out ONCE...the cable on the batteries failed.


The major issue with solar systems......you cannot find a master electrician to service your system. I have had TWO refuse to hook up my additional panels....not enough money in it for them. They are busy installing 50,000 dollar systems for my neighbors.



In fairness....off-grid solar houses when it comes to energy consumption ARE propane homes with solar as a back-up electrical source. My "solar" house has a propane.....fridge, furnace, hot water heater, stove, oven...not to mention the propane powered generator to charge the batteries when I run out of sunshine!!


BUT, you should see the view out my back door.....

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by Mobinvans

As a master electrician that has been involved in many many sold installs, never ever ever do solar to save money.....it won't happen. But it's a great way to live off grid when there is no power around, but yea it's not cheap and things will always break, always

This one has no aged well.

Silicon Solar PV has now become the cheapest and most reliable thing going.

[guidoLaMoto]

https://www.clearwaycommunitysolar.c...rooftop-solar/ Very fair assessment by a group favoring PV.

https://www.strata.org/unseen-costs/solar/ An article from 2016, but analyzes the true allocation of costs. The costs have been shifted to taxpayers & ratepayers, and that's about to expire in 2021.

Only Pollyanna sees it thru rose colored glasses. It's still a niche market and will remain so until new technology in the nuclear industry makes it all obsolete...If some can dream with confidence about "new battery technology," then I can dream about fusion. The odds are with me, not you.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto

https://www.clearwaycommunitysolar.c...rooftop-solar/ Very fair assessment by a group favoring PV.

https://www.strata.org/unseen-costs/solar/ An article from 2016, but analyzes the true allocation of costs. The costs have been shifted to taxpayers & ratepayers, and that's about to expire in 2021.

Only Pollyanna sees it thru rose colored glasses. It's still a niche market and will remain so until new technology in the nuclear industry makes it all obsolete...If some can dream with confidence about "new battery technology," then I can dream about fusion. The odds are with me, not you.

I support nuclear power. Our nation builds a couple of new nuclear reactors every year. I am familiar with them as I have served onboard three of them. But in public discussions, everyone seems to insist on a world view that no new reactors are being built.

I do think that there will be new battery tech will be developed.

I do not see why you think better batteries are required for anyone to utilize Solar Power today.

My investment into my solar power system paid itself off in 7 years [with its mandatory 7-year depreciation]. And now my farm has stable power that is far more stable than what the power grid has to offer in our township.