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Solar Power
Posted by s d Mannies at 2014-08-22 07:11:12
I'm looking at solar power for an additional power and having a backup. Grid interactive is looking to be the best option for me at this time. Any suggestions on what works best, manufacture, type, do and don't or maybe's. I know there is a lot out there, but it hard to get a straight answer from the ones selling it.
Thanks shanen
Response by KM at 2014-08-22 13:51:08
I have been the engineer on some projects that went solar. From what I have seen in the numbers it is best to be on the grid but have the panels. The batteries and inverters are a series of constant frustration. The photovoltaic systems are becoming more and more reasonable price wise.
Response by Dale Wagner at 2014-08-24 01:37:41
Have a friend that retired as an electric engengeer in Alaska. Built a home out of Kalispel. Power co wanted 30 to put in line so he went off grid. Cost him 80Tou and he has to spend a lot if time in maintence.
I have a backup program that can get me by.
Response by s d Mannies at 2014-08-24 21:46:42
Dale ,if you or anyone else has a backup system other than a generator, I would really like to hear from you. A better backup system may be a better option at this point. I have a small generator but would have to run it all the time. I was wondering if a battery bank system might be better and I could charge the battery with the generator if I needed too. I only need to run the fan on the furnace ,water pump on my boiler ,a light or two and the well pump once a day.
Thanks shanen
Response by Neal in Iowa at 2014-08-25 16:09:14
Shanen,

As I see it, you need a generator that is big enough to run the well in a power outage. You can cycle the rest of the items if needed (freezer, refrigorator, etc). A 4,500 to 7,000 watt generator may be enough. This will depend on the well.

Then run the generator enough to keep the house above 50F. Depending on the weather and the house, this may be 4 times a day for a couple of hours. So you may need 10 hours of operation a day.

Remember, this is to get you through a power outage.

15,000 watts and automatic controls will be in the $20,000 range. (Permanent generator)

A portable generator needs to be exercised once a month to give you a better chance of it working when you need it.

Make sure to install a proper main line disconnect to protect the repair crew.

Neal
Response by Jerry Hicks at 2014-08-26 08:20:00
We pump water to water livestock with a solar powered pump.I have been using it for ten years now with no problem. We don't use a battery back up and so we only pump when the sun shines and a use a storage tank to hold excess water. In peak season our pump pumps 800 gallons per day. They have larger systems available and may have more information for other options if you are interested. The company was Sunpumps.com. Our complete setup was somewhere around 2,000. I have found it to be a lot cheaper than watering fountains and municipal water (not to mention the water is better quality).

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