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DIY How To Off Grid Solar Power
Friday, April 17, 2015 7:36
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Do you want to get off the grid and control your own destiny (as far as solar power is concerned)? Many folks shy away from alternative energy because they feel it is too complicated. Fear no more. The Tin Hat Ranch has gone solar, not only to get off the grid, but to make it EASY for folks looking to take the plunge. In the DIY How To Off Grid Solar series we attempt to answer every question that may pop into your mind to make solar installation truly DIY. Check out part 1 and 2 of the series below. In the videos, we talk about worksheets and further information. Those can be found here. Check out parts 1 and 2 and stay tuned for more:
Part 1
Part 2
– Solar cells are cheap, somewhat impervious, and can can be linked together from small parts.
– Inverters are moderately expensive and can be overburdened, at times.
– The battery banks are bulky, toxic, do not last, and eventually become cost prohibitive.
None of the socalled ‘renewables’ are so effective, over their productive lifetime, that they can be used to make more of the same; it is not sustainable.
Consumer products like these, and their leftovers, would slowly cease to exist without the ubiquitous transport of goods and services, in which case, low-current, electronic toys would no longer be your primary focus.
If it entertains and gives you comfort, it can still be a source of morale and inspiration.
But, if it makes you neurotic, that’s a burden and a disadvantage.
I read, off grid and control your own destiny. My perspective is that this cannot be used to rebuild civilization. Civilization is used to rebuild this. Thank God for what solace we are able to enjoy in every day situations.
the best panel has only 21% no load efficiency
batteries are too expensive and already wear out after 3-5 years
high efficiency panels still cost a fortune
I have used an off-grid solar electric system for the past nine years. After the initial cost of the system, which was about half of what it would have cost to have power lines extended to my home in a rural area, I estimate that electricity costs me about $10 a month when including reserves for eventual replacement of components as they wear out. It’s not free energy, but it’s as close to it as possible using conventionally available technology.
Thanks for putting up this video. It’s actually the first one I’ve seen on this subject that’s down-to-earth and devoid of any mumbo-jumbo. I do disagree with one of the points though, that you shouldn’t use car batteries. But, golf cart batteries, and deep-cycle marine batteries are so freakin expensive whereas I can buy a car battery at Kaufland for 25 Euros when they have them on sale. To get around the toxicity issue I can store them in one of those little green plastic garden tool containers that doubles as a bench outside, and those cost like 25 Euros as well.
My dilemma consists of the fact that my existing concrete-shingled roof has only a couple more years to go before I have to replace it. If I put up solar panels now, I’ll have to take them off before having the roof re-shingled. Other problem is that my roof faces east-west, which means for maximum utilisation of sunlight I have to have half the panels on one side, and half on the other side. I’m probably gonna go with putting them on the roof of the garages, which is flat and made of corrugated eternite (asbestos mixture) panels which never have to be replaced. Or CAN be replaced unless you’re willing to put up with extreme bureaucratic red tape and fees.
Still gonna consult this with my eastern European electrician expert though before I do anything. Matter of fact, I just sent him the 2 videos.