So I am attempting to do a thing

[Zabhawkin]

since you got enough sun, maybe consider just going off grid with some power walls? They got some crazy power now .... 400 w/panel!

No Tesla installers in my area, still considering going off grid but decided to try to move the COOP into a direction where it is better for the community first.

 

[JBee]

Not enough space, and given the height off the ground of the roof (a large colonial) I'd rather not deal with roof-mounted panels. Especially considering that I have no shortage of ground space.

The animal barn has its own rooftop microgrid/battery and uses little power, but the shop barn...might just go on its own power as well. I've been kicking around the idea of using it to test a multi-medium battery set with some LiPo, LI, and old Lead Acids - with a SolArk in the middle.

I work in the solar industry, and like to fiddle with these things.

How do you plan on balancing the different battery types and what type of BMS will support it? From what I can tell Solark is battery type agnostic, but only has one battery connection?

Do you already have the batteries? Because I'd never use lead acid ever again, they won't last long, and even AGM ones can only cycle 50%. So switching between types is going to be more trouble than it's worth in the long run. I've been running off grid on two farms for 12 years now, and since switching to lifepo 5 years ago I haven't touched it, even with the workshops running off it.

Another way to do it would be to install it a bit higher over the ground and use it as a solar carport. They work quite well and gives you some extra undercover area for the price of a bit longer tube. There's also framing kits to make it sealed if you want.

 

[WildhavenMI]

How do you plan on balancing the different battery types and what type of BMS will support it? From what I can tell Solark is battery type agnostic, but only has one battery connection?

Do you already have the batteries? Because I'd never use lead acid ever again, they won't last long, and even AGM ones can only cycle 50%. So switching between types is going to be more trouble than it's worth in the long run. I've been running off grid on two farms for 12 years now, and since switching to lifepo 5 years ago I haven't touched it, even with the workshops running off it.

Another way to do it would be to install it a bit higher over the ground and use it as a solar carport. They work quite well and gives you some extra undercover area for the price of a bit longer tube. There's also framing kits to make it sealed if you want.

I haven't figured any of that out yet, tbh. Its very possible I come to the same conclusion and decide to just lipo the whole thing.

Holding out hope I win the lottery and can just have my own personal Megapack.

 

[Zabhawkin]

I haven't figured any of that out yet, tbh. Its very possible I come to the same conclusion and decide to just lipo the whole thing.

Holding out hope I win the lottery and can just have my own personal Megapack.

$2.4-2.6M installed... been looking at them and hoping to work on getting grants to install in areas to support critical infrastructure... and to clean up our crappy power.

 

[Crissa]

Good luck! Genuinely.

I'm building a house right now, and looking to place a ground mount solar array large enough to off-grid (once I can afford all the batteries ). I have 17 acres, and the zoning ordinance will only allow me to place a ground mounted solar array "with a total PV array size not to exceed 200 sqft".

An obvious anti-solar law, and I'm going to bash right into it willingly. I've already raised the issue with the zoning board politely, and requested a variance or a revisitation of the ordinance. I've gotten some traction so I don't feel the need to make a bigger stink yet, but I'm reserving the right to just do it anyway and go legal with the fight.

Why ground-mount? Gardens, patios, garages, car ports, pergolas, ramadas, gazebos... Just do that and you skip the stupid on-ground rules and get shaded spaces you can use.

Studies have shown that once you're 4' off the ground, it doesn't impede grazing, and many vegetables and herbs grow better when shaded at only the peak sun.

TL;dr? Put something under the panels and call them a roof.

-Crissa

 

[SolarWizard]

since you got enough sun, maybe consider just going off grid with some power walls? They got some crazy power now .... 400 w/panel!

Powerwall is about the worst possible option for off grid or life expectancy

 

[Zabhawkin]

On my first ever attempt at an elected position I won with 55% of the vote.


Oh god what have I gotten myself into.

 

[fritter63]

On my first ever attempt at an elected position I won with 55% of the vote.


Oh god what have I gotten myself into.

That was me, president of the HOA.

the solution is to sell the house and move…..??

 

[HAL GALLUS]

I know politics are generally a no no but due to things happening that pissed me off and not liking the direction things were headed, I am running for a position on the board of our local electric coop.

Typically I am the type that is perfectly happy being off to the side playing with my toys wanting to just be left alone. Up until someone comes along and doesn't let me do my thing.

So wish me luck, both on getting elected and actually being able to influence things.

good work, good luck, do your best.