Hi everyone, new member here.
I already have a solar system now undersized for my needs. Lease company doesn't permit modifications without a buyout (a costly option after year 7). So I think the best route for me is to create a second system, maybe using surplus or used components I can cheaply source.
Example: I saw Sunpower panels, which are higher end 360 watt, available for $149 each. Even if a used panel produced only 340 watts, a 4 panel system would then be ~1.36 Kilowatts. If I am able to get full output energy for 4 to 6 hours per day then I should certainly be able to charge up the equivalent of a Tesla Power Wall 1 which has a 6.4kW capacity.
At night I would then plug in the car for slow 120v charging. If the car is rated at 23kW per 100 miles of range, this setup would give me 28% of that 100 miles, but after accounting for battery losses and battery degradation over time, we are more likely talking 23 to 25 miles. But, that's perfect for one person commuting 12 miles each way to work, or 10 miles each way plus an occasional grocery run.
My goal here is to price out the cost of creating a small system of this kind. Please advise me and I will update the table below! I want to get a full parts list
1. Solar panels -- $600 for used panels, 1.36 kW. Plus shipping.
2. Inverters -- do I used microinverters, or am I better off with a single inverter, like a sub-$400 inverter with a 2kW capacity?
3. Charge controller -- $400 for a 100 amp charge controller? Can I get a controller that works with AGM or Lithium batteries...
4. Battery: most expensive piece. It looks like I can get 400Ah of AGM batteries (2 x 200 x 12v) for $724. Maybe go with that for 4.8Kw of battery storage, until the price of Lithium comes down?
5. power outlet -- should I just run an extension cord from inverter, or should I set up the system to power a built in outdoor 120Volt outlet?
6. excess power -- where would excess power be dumped when battery is full? I could send heat to the basement...
7. direct charge -- is all the power to come from the battery circuit or is there an advantage to bypass the battery when the sun is available?
8. mounting racks, cabling, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help. Based on what I laid out above it should be possible to create a decent car charging system for $2500. What have I missed?
Rick
I already have a solar system now undersized for my needs. Lease company doesn't permit modifications without a buyout (a costly option after year 7). So I think the best route for me is to create a second system, maybe using surplus or used components I can cheaply source.
Example: I saw Sunpower panels, which are higher end 360 watt, available for $149 each. Even if a used panel produced only 340 watts, a 4 panel system would then be ~1.36 Kilowatts. If I am able to get full output energy for 4 to 6 hours per day then I should certainly be able to charge up the equivalent of a Tesla Power Wall 1 which has a 6.4kW capacity.
At night I would then plug in the car for slow 120v charging. If the car is rated at 23kW per 100 miles of range, this setup would give me 28% of that 100 miles, but after accounting for battery losses and battery degradation over time, we are more likely talking 23 to 25 miles. But, that's perfect for one person commuting 12 miles each way to work, or 10 miles each way plus an occasional grocery run.
My goal here is to price out the cost of creating a small system of this kind. Please advise me and I will update the table below! I want to get a full parts list
1. Solar panels -- $600 for used panels, 1.36 kW. Plus shipping.
2. Inverters -- do I used microinverters, or am I better off with a single inverter, like a sub-$400 inverter with a 2kW capacity?
3. Charge controller -- $400 for a 100 amp charge controller? Can I get a controller that works with AGM or Lithium batteries...
4. Battery: most expensive piece. It looks like I can get 400Ah of AGM batteries (2 x 200 x 12v) for $724. Maybe go with that for 4.8Kw of battery storage, until the price of Lithium comes down?
5. power outlet -- should I just run an extension cord from inverter, or should I set up the system to power a built in outdoor 120Volt outlet?
6. excess power -- where would excess power be dumped when battery is full? I could send heat to the basement...
7. direct charge -- is all the power to come from the battery circuit or is there an advantage to bypass the battery when the sun is available?
8. mounting racks, cabling, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help. Based on what I laid out above it should be possible to create a decent car charging system for $2500. What have I missed?
Rick
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