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RE: Off-Grid: Complete Solar Power System Flow
The inverters were harder to find, but about the same cost. Since I am building the battery sticks that part was easy for me, by 12 volt is a direct build with lead acid batteries. I like your system, looks solid.
Wind is a little more reliable here, especially next to the lake. I will be buying a 1700 watt wind generator, but at my average wind velocity, it will make 400 to 500 watts.
The value is, that when the solar panels drop off, the wind generator picks up. This will give me more consistent power input. I have 2500 watts of panels, and will add more after the basic system is going (and I have time to build the extra panels)
:D
That's a nice size turbine - I have a small 400 watt one. Be sure you get a MPPT charge controller for the turbine of course - even more crutial than with solar :)
Were most people have trouble with a wind generator, is that they expect the rated output all the time, but never look at what it will actually produce at their location. So they, in this case, plan on the unit to make 1700 watts all the time. When it makes 450 watts, they feel like it is not working. The added benefit is that when the sun goes down, the wind still blows.At 450 watts over 24 hours, it will add over 10,000 watts a day to the batteries.
I have the parts for a 2000 watt dump load for this system, to avoid overcharge. A good controller is critical on any wind generator system, and that is a good choice! :)
The other reason for the 24 Vdc, is that I intend to add a 24 volt wiring buss to the house, and I can get more power delivered at 24 volts. I will run the 24 volt in the old central heat and air ducts. 24volts is the highest voltage that is code to run outside of conduit. 48 volts would be too expensive to wire, because of the need for conduit, and the 48 volt inverters are a lot more money.
I'm starting to build a house up on top of the hill, near the cistern this summer. Will be wiring it standard 120v AC. No solar panels on the roof. Behind the house, besid the cistern will be an insulated 10x10ft structure that will have the solar panels on it's roof, the battery bank will be inside, the inverters will be inside to invert the 12v to 120vAC to send over to the house. I could easily connect to the grid that is 40 yards away - at the end of the driveway - but I will not :)
Good for you! This house is already hooked up to the grid, but as soon as I get the solar system setup, I will fire the power company!
:)