Newbie here. Looks like a good place to ask questions. I will be posting at least one other question about an off-grid system to power my home, but this question I believe fits well here.
I am planning to install a PV system with generator backup on/in an unheated detached garage, and run the AC output 40' to my house. My idea was to custom slope the roof (about 36 degrees from vertical) for the fixed array, and everything would be located in this new building. I'll be using about 7kWh a day. This will be located in the lower Adirondacks, near Forestport NY.
I am wondering if it makes sense to position the batteries just below grade, to take advantage the insulating properties of the ground. I haven't chosen the kind of battery yet, and honestly I was looking at the Aquion AHI which based on the posts here looks more doubtful than I was hoping.
The AHI is a sealed battery, and would be lower maintenance than a lead acid battery. Wouldn't outgas either. But I digress - that is a whole other ball of wax (or vapor). Setting aside the kind of battery for just a moment, and the fact that the kind may determine the need for better/more frequent access/venting etc, does it make any sense to try to keep the batteries at a certain temperature or a range to maximize life and/or performance? Am I dreaming that putting them below grade will prevent them from going below 40 degrees? I was even dreaming about putting a low wattage heater (yes, I know this is off-grid solar ) in a confined storage space, but I can imagine with certain kinds this may not be advised.
I can't be the first person who has wondered about this. Do most people put the batteries in the house (basement), so this isn't an issue? My main driving force is I can't place the panels on the roof of the house, which faces East. By building, I can get due South. But now I am in a detached building that isn't a living space and will be unheated. This question could be a lot larger than I thought, but the reader can see my situation. I suppose I could use a small propane heater to heat an equipment room, thought I don't know of safety concerns. I'm not sure a Generac is going to like a totally unheated area either, and I am not sure how to keep that toasty since it needs to exhaust. It will be needed to be available each day, as the insolation may be a shade under 2.0.
Thanks in advance,
Don
I am planning to install a PV system with generator backup on/in an unheated detached garage, and run the AC output 40' to my house. My idea was to custom slope the roof (about 36 degrees from vertical) for the fixed array, and everything would be located in this new building. I'll be using about 7kWh a day. This will be located in the lower Adirondacks, near Forestport NY.
I am wondering if it makes sense to position the batteries just below grade, to take advantage the insulating properties of the ground. I haven't chosen the kind of battery yet, and honestly I was looking at the Aquion AHI which based on the posts here looks more doubtful than I was hoping.
The AHI is a sealed battery, and would be lower maintenance than a lead acid battery. Wouldn't outgas either. But I digress - that is a whole other ball of wax (or vapor). Setting aside the kind of battery for just a moment, and the fact that the kind may determine the need for better/more frequent access/venting etc, does it make any sense to try to keep the batteries at a certain temperature or a range to maximize life and/or performance? Am I dreaming that putting them below grade will prevent them from going below 40 degrees? I was even dreaming about putting a low wattage heater (yes, I know this is off-grid solar ) in a confined storage space, but I can imagine with certain kinds this may not be advised.
I can't be the first person who has wondered about this. Do most people put the batteries in the house (basement), so this isn't an issue? My main driving force is I can't place the panels on the roof of the house, which faces East. By building, I can get due South. But now I am in a detached building that isn't a living space and will be unheated. This question could be a lot larger than I thought, but the reader can see my situation. I suppose I could use a small propane heater to heat an equipment room, thought I don't know of safety concerns. I'm not sure a Generac is going to like a totally unheated area either, and I am not sure how to keep that toasty since it needs to exhaust. It will be needed to be available each day, as the insolation may be a shade under 2.0.
Thanks in advance,
Don
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