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Post by somuchtodo on Apr 15, 2013 4:53:45 GMT -7
You can do this almost any way you want; but, as you asked, there are pros and cons to any reasonable strategy. If it were me; and, if I know the load list we have is pretty solid; and, if I could afford this new strategy, I'd approach it like this... I'd figure out the full-size battery pack and full-size inverter needed for all the loads but I would cut the size of the solar-PV array in half...FOR NOW. Here's why: The battery pack will be the hub and homebase of the system. A good battery pack should be built from individual batteries as close to identical as possible, including all being the same age, having experienced the same usage. It's not the best idea to put in half the batteries you need and then add to the battery pack a year or two later. What this strategy does is save you half the cost of the array on the front end; but, it also imposes a pretty austere energy budget...you only get to use half of what you originally planned. It will work just fine (likely) in the middle of summer; but, as you approach winter you are getting closer and closer to a loss-of-load event. Howeverm that will be in the winter time, and you could keep your food in picnic coolers on the back porch. Just a few thoughts... More good info. I've learned more about solar in this one post! tj you mentioned earlier about putting the solar array on the ground and not on the roof. I guess my thought are in a societal breakdown solar panel may become a target for thieves and would be less likely to be stolen off a roof. What are your thoughts? |
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Post by solargeek1 on Apr 15, 2013 9:31:43 GMT -7
More good info. I've learned more about solar in this one post! tj you mentioned earlier about putting the solar array on the ground and not on the roof. I guess my thought are in a societal breakdown solar panel may become are target for thieves and would be less likely to be stolen off a roof. What are your thoughts?[/quote]
I know this ? is for TJ but we lived for 7 years with rooftop mounted solar PV and thermal panels and found out the following:
1. chimney sweeps will refuse to go on your roof to clean out your chimneys in many cases- we found 1 will to do it and actually had 1 of our panels moved over so he could get at the wood stove chimney easily and safely.
2. in northern climates (Ill and north of there) the snow will pack onto the PV and not melt for days. Thermal of course heats up more quickly so not as much lost time.
3. you cannot clean the snow off. We tried snowballs, brooms (wouldn't reach all and since if you have battery back up you cannot have each panel separated but rather run in series) you lose 4 panels instead of 1 if a tiny bit of snow is on that 1
4. dirt, dust, and slight shadows power it down and again you cannot clean them. We tried hoses - not powerful enough to reach the top panels.
5. ROOF REPAIRS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT MOVING RACK AND PANELS SO QUITE COSTLY.
6. Tree falling or flatline winds shooting debris (happened 4 times in 2 years) can take them out. We dodged that bullet by less than 10 feet.
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Post by tjwilhelm on Apr 15, 2013 14:08:39 GMT -7
Roof vs. Ground Mounting...
Ground mount does NOT mean low and easy to steal. Mine are not roof mounted. One array is on a pole -- a 10-foot mast. Another is cantilevered off the side of my 2-story garage/shop/office. A third is on top of a shade pergola, a good 10 feet off the ground, with a hammock and a picnic table below.
Even when mounted lower to the ground, these are anchored with heavy steel pipe and concrete; and they are rigidly bolted together. You could/should also fence the array, making it harder for bad guys to get to and haul away. Also, put an alarm system around it.
Roof mounting implies ROOF PENETRATIONS, which in turn can imply eventual leakage and roof damage when doing routine cleaning or snow removal on your array...not to mention the potential fall hazard.
I would venture to guess that solargeek's solar thermal panels didn't have as bad of a snow problem because they are typically pitched at a much steeper angle than solar-PV. Thus, they shed the snow easier. To de-snow your array, you do NOT need to totally remove all the snow. Get off the bulk of it, QUICKLY. This will expose some of the dark cells, beneath. The sun will heat these up and the snow will pretty quickly melt enough to slide off easily.
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Post by carolina168181 on Feb 24, 2014 9:57:20 GMT -7
thread bump,,
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Post by woodyz on Mar 15, 2014 19:30:27 GMT -7
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