Off-Grid Solar Rock!
At the beginning of Summer this year. I made the decision to no longer grid-tie. We had been grid-tie and selling power back to my power Co-Op for more than 2 years. At the time net metering was new and there was no nutty fee's. So selling power back was the best deal. I would sell 1 KW of power and get back 1KW at night. Then over time my power Co-Op was doing things like adding fee's for the power we sell. Then before long they where buying the power I would make for about half the selling price. So when we would buy it back at night. I would have to pay full price for it.
The final straw that broke the camel's. Was the power co-op was now charging a daily fee of $0.99 cents just to have power to my home. That is even if there was no power being used at all. One week the power was out from a storm and we had that 99 cent fee on are bill for those days when there was no power.
So now I am just using my off grid setup as much as I can. We run about 90% of are power needs from my off grid. There is still a need for the grid. Things in my home that are 220 volts like the stove water heater I can't run on my off grid. The AC I can but it just a bit to much to run 24/7 so that I run on the grid.
Today I got my power bill. Not ever been so happy to get a bill. It was down to $85.00 and 30 of that is the 99 cents fee. Best part last night when the power was out in town. I still had power. We did run the AC on the Off-grid over night if we need it when the powers out. Just do not like to do it all the time. I have a well and that is run 24/7 on my off grid. So we still have running water. Next thing we need to get is a back up hot water heater. But for now most of are needs are covered. Over all we are happy.
I get asked all the time. Is solar worth it? Would have to say 100% it is! When the powers out and yours is not. There is just a feeling I can't explain. Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you need help with solar just ask. I will be more than willing to help.
im picturing you saying like darth sidious, "Power. Unlimited power!"
Hope you're well my solar man!
Lol Thanks brother..
Hi @solarparadise, I totally admire you for making the big step to going off-grid.
I am just beginning my solar PV journey. I am getting some PV panels on the barn. They won't be grid connected. I am hoping to totally power the barn with them and a battery bank.
Thank you! I have been working professionally with Alternative Energy for 20+ years. Few things I can tell you. The time is now to get into solar. Its not ever been so cheap. Mppt is a must. PWM is fine if your doing a few 100 watts and its just a few feet from your PV. Last thing is if you can go with 24 volts min. 12 volts is just not worth it. Most of the stuff is the same price or less to go with 24 volts. You will have just over double the efficiency with 24 volts over 12,,
Hope tho's few tips help. If I can be of more help free to email me. I am more than willing to share my phone #. One of my big passions in life is Alternative Energy. My email is [email protected]. God Bless
Thanks for this extra info. Yes I am going for MPPT and 24V. Still working out battery specs/choices/costs at present.
On a separate point, I'm starting an Alternative Lifestyle radio show on MSP Waves Radio shortly. One of the areas I'll be covering will be alternative energy. Would you be interested in doing an interview for that? Or helping gather news and stories from steemit about Alt Energy?