I recently stumbled across this great forum several days ago after I had an
epiphany about designing, building, and implementing a variation of the 'off grid' solar
system.
During my thoughts (usually while in the hot tub, looking over the beautiful Blue
Ridge mountains of western North Carolina - I'm not complaining! ), I came to the
question that while we have the common 12v solar panels(I have a couple on my
motorhome), and other variations, why don't we just move toward 120v output panels ?
Yes, I guess we can, and do, in a way, with micro-inverters , or even the newer
micro-inverter 'integrated' AC Panels , which I recently found, and which sound like a
great way to build a grid-tie system.
I really want to get feedback, though, about any 'myths' related to the usage
and deployment of micro-inverters, or AC Panels, in a HYBRID grid-tie, with
battery-backup, system , which is what I'm leaning toward, but without the 'large bulky'
battery-based inverter, as normally needed, if that's possible.
Now, a little background: I'm not out to get ' the man ' - I actually used to be ' the
man ', as a mayor of by small hometown in another state, with it's own electrical system.
I saw first-hand the electric department's cost for maintenance, repair, and emergency
response, and developed an understanding of why we pay what we pay for the constant
electrical flow that we expect, though our system charged even less per kwh than most.
I also own a diesel pusher motorhome, which is a variation of the battery-backup
off-grid type of electrical system, with the ability to tie-in to 120v 'shore power', via it's
shore power CORD and ATS(automatic transfer switch), when available, the addition of
12v Solar panels on the roof to recharge the House batteries, via a solar controller, and
the onboard 120v Generator to use for those situations and times where large loads are
needed when off-grid, such as air conditioning and water heating, or during overnights
when the batteries fall to a level requiring recharging.
It's a beautiful thing, really, especially when you add the option of the
AGS(automatic generator starter) to round out the ability to easily remain 'off-grid' for
days, if not weeks, with little 'work' involved in switching between power sources.
Today, though, I have the desire to move toward a more sustainable and more
permanent 'off-grid' cabin lifestyle, similar to the motorhome, where the ability to move
away from reliance on ' the man ' for PRIMARY power is the goal, but not to be totally
removed, using the grid as more of the backup to the backup batteries, using a
generator for the 'emergency' side of the equation, such as the loss of the grid, with
snow, ice, and cloud cover for three days straight.
My 'myth' concerns are surrounded by the idea of moving away from the typical
inverter 'box' that we are all know and love, and more toward a simpler and more
streamlined equipment list. Can micro-inverters and/or AC panels provide this
solution , or will the battery-based inverter 'box' always be needed in the HYBRID
scenario?
I suppose we are missing charge controllers at each micro-inverter to handle the battery
charging, and a 120v battery bank(10 - 12v batteries in series, etc) to 'trick' the
micro-inverters to continue, even when a grid power loss, and to also do away with the
need for a battery-based inverter, of course...
Maybe MYTH is the incorrect word, but the question is really one of simplicity
and ease-of-build for this type of situation. What I want is:
-Solar to be the main 120v output , during peak sun-hours, of course
-Battery bank as the secondary, for 'overnight', or otherwise off-peak hours power
-Grid power for 240v power needs , during off-peak hours
-and the Generator as the 'emergency' power source
...with the optional ability to sell back power during peak hours, if any, of course.
MYTH??
epiphany about designing, building, and implementing a variation of the 'off grid' solar
system.
During my thoughts (usually while in the hot tub, looking over the beautiful Blue
Ridge mountains of western North Carolina - I'm not complaining! ), I came to the
question that while we have the common 12v solar panels(I have a couple on my
motorhome), and other variations, why don't we just move toward 120v output panels ?
Yes, I guess we can, and do, in a way, with micro-inverters , or even the newer
micro-inverter 'integrated' AC Panels , which I recently found, and which sound like a
great way to build a grid-tie system.
I really want to get feedback, though, about any 'myths' related to the usage
and deployment of micro-inverters, or AC Panels, in a HYBRID grid-tie, with
battery-backup, system , which is what I'm leaning toward, but without the 'large bulky'
battery-based inverter, as normally needed, if that's possible.
Now, a little background: I'm not out to get ' the man ' - I actually used to be ' the
man ', as a mayor of by small hometown in another state, with it's own electrical system.
I saw first-hand the electric department's cost for maintenance, repair, and emergency
response, and developed an understanding of why we pay what we pay for the constant
electrical flow that we expect, though our system charged even less per kwh than most.
I also own a diesel pusher motorhome, which is a variation of the battery-backup
off-grid type of electrical system, with the ability to tie-in to 120v 'shore power', via it's
shore power CORD and ATS(automatic transfer switch), when available, the addition of
12v Solar panels on the roof to recharge the House batteries, via a solar controller, and
the onboard 120v Generator to use for those situations and times where large loads are
needed when off-grid, such as air conditioning and water heating, or during overnights
when the batteries fall to a level requiring recharging.
It's a beautiful thing, really, especially when you add the option of the
AGS(automatic generator starter) to round out the ability to easily remain 'off-grid' for
days, if not weeks, with little 'work' involved in switching between power sources.
Today, though, I have the desire to move toward a more sustainable and more
permanent 'off-grid' cabin lifestyle, similar to the motorhome, where the ability to move
away from reliance on ' the man ' for PRIMARY power is the goal, but not to be totally
removed, using the grid as more of the backup to the backup batteries, using a
generator for the 'emergency' side of the equation, such as the loss of the grid, with
snow, ice, and cloud cover for three days straight.
My 'myth' concerns are surrounded by the idea of moving away from the typical
inverter 'box' that we are all know and love, and more toward a simpler and more
streamlined equipment list. Can micro-inverters and/or AC panels provide this
solution , or will the battery-based inverter 'box' always be needed in the HYBRID
scenario?
I suppose we are missing charge controllers at each micro-inverter to handle the battery
charging, and a 120v battery bank(10 - 12v batteries in series, etc) to 'trick' the
micro-inverters to continue, even when a grid power loss, and to also do away with the
need for a battery-based inverter, of course...
Maybe MYTH is the incorrect word, but the question is really one of simplicity
and ease-of-build for this type of situation. What I want is:
-Solar to be the main 120v output , during peak sun-hours, of course
-Battery bank as the secondary, for 'overnight', or otherwise off-peak hours power
-Grid power for 240v power needs , during off-peak hours
-and the Generator as the 'emergency' power source
...with the optional ability to sell back power during peak hours, if any, of course.
MYTH??
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