I have made a website that may help people build a Off Grid System.
There is a lot of information on this site that may help you
see.... http://www.offgridsolar.350.com
OFF GRID SOLAR
(13 posts) (5 voices)-
ClrSkyRF
Membernopooz said:
" The reason people do OFF GRID is because they are too far from the grid or don't want to PAY for it.
Let me tell you it is EXPENSIVE!!! Unless you can get materials cheap and D.I.Y.
The system I built is.
$3800:oo / .46 cents per KW = 9500 hrs = 26days at full load.I have hooked this system to my lights in the house 3 x 8amp circuits.. I use about 3KW per day....I saye $1.40 / day x 365 =
71/2 Years to break even...... NOT WORTH IT....... "Nice setup by the way....
Well out my way in Victoria the infrastructure alone to get on the grid is $18,500!!! and that's just to the house NOT connected....."OFF GRID VERY WORTH IT"
Posted Sunday 5 Aug 2012 @ 3:05:50 pm from IP # -
ClrSkyRF
Memberi.e.: Let's see... So to pay for 3kW use of "ON Grid" power for 7 1/2 years....
against your "OFF GRID" system. ( $169 per 1/4 )
Together with ongoing bills ( $ NIL per 1/4 )"ON GRID" Infrastructure $2,467 + Power $510 + Service Charge $273 Total: $3,250 PER YEAR.
$1.083 per 1/4 )Together with ongoing bills ( $169 + Service Charge $91 per 1/4 $260 )
Dirty brown outs & Blackouts...
" GRID SO NOT WORTH IT"
Posted Sunday 5 Aug 2012 @ 3:12:19 pm from IP # -
For anyone that can be connected to the grid......Without paying expensive connection fees......Get grid connection.
I made this system as a project. The panels cost me $1200. Inverter $500. batteries $300
Solar chargers $200....All cheap from friends..All other parts were scrap including double pole breakers.
Just over 2k and all it does is the light circuits. I just received my latest electricity bill today......When I opened the bill my wife said WTF (Why The Face)..$1135:oo for 90 days
The new rate has been applied for the last 61 days.....
Wait till you get your next bill......Maybe this project is worth it.
Posted Sunday 5 Aug 2012 @ 10:02:49 pm from IP # -
franks
MemberWith stand alone PV systems you get what you pay for..2nd hand UPS batteries are a lucky dip..you really dont know what your getting.
Its interesting to build a hobby system cheap with bits, when your already connected to the grid,
But for some who has 2 choices $20K plus to have grid installed or a stand alone systen that can support 8+kWhr each day during the worst month, it will cost $$$My system cost me $16K sofar for materials only..as a DIY install to all AS standard..sparky issued CES for all LV work.
3.8kW PV Off Grid (8-10kWHr@day)
20 of 190 w Tianwei Monos (12+8 Array)45` tilt frame.
Midnite Classic 150 & Outback MX60 MPPT Charge Reg
8 of 600 amp hour Surrette S600 flooded cell battery bank 24 volt 1200 amphour
Outback VFX3024E Inverter Charger, Hub & Mate2Posted Sunday 5 Aug 2012 @ 10:33:16 pm from IP # -
Your system is very impressive. A real Off Grid. Makes mine look like a toy. (it is) I
worked out my bill from INTERGRAL ENERGY $88.35/week or 5890kw for 90 days.
We have a large house with 6 people in it. I have to get this bill down.
I might try to put a power circuit on solar.......maybe the one with the refrigerator on it (the kitchen circuit)
I have to try something ????
I see you have a frame tilt of 45In Sydney Latitude is 34.
I thought this would be easy.......You learn something every day.Posted Monday 6 Aug 2012 @ 12:08:32 am from IP # -
ClrSkyRF
Membernopooz said:
..... I just received my latest electricity bill today......When I opened the bill my wife said WTF (Why The Face)..$1135:oo for 90 days
.....
Maybe this project is worth it.Holly Crap
what is Your daily Kwh for this bill like 25kwh?
I'm down to 12Kwh for 3 peopleWe only operate most appliances during sunlight hours
to take advantage of inverter power between 10:30am and 3:30pm
i.e. washer, toaster, microwave, vacuum,
The HWS electric boaster is switched OFF & have swapped out flat panels with evac tubesPosted Monday 6 Aug 2012 @ 2:25:01 am from IP # -
Yeah.....6 adults.....most of them think they are a master chef. Oven and cooktop go all the time and I'm getting fatter...5 levels of house 8 bedroom 4 bathroom with 100watt hot towel rails running 24/7..I got to get rid of the "Y" generation before the bank runs dry. The council rates in this place are $100/week not to mention every other outgoing that you have when you own a house.....I have to sell this monster.....
Posted Monday 6 Aug 2012 @ 9:50:49 pm from IP # -
franks
MemberNot 100% free of energy..we use aprox 4 9Kg gas bottles per year for gas stove and solar HWS gas booster, for the worst 4 weeks of the deep winter solstice 20lts of Bio-Diesel for the Genset to give the batteries a full charge every 4 days
Posted Tuesday 7 Aug 2012 @ 2:49:47 am from IP # -
Smarty Pants Bob just rewired a power circuit (the kitchen) to run on the inverter.....
The inverter (3500watt 13amp) fell over. The wife was using the frypan (10amp) + fridges, Lights, etc.. I had to rewire it back again. At the moment I am making more power than I use. Batteries are topped up by 11am.
Looks like I have to pull wires in just for the fridge.
I saw on eBay a 5000watt Powerstar W7 for about$1100 delivered......Could be an upgrade soon.Posted Tuesday 7 Aug 2012 @ 4:36:50 am from IP # -
franks
MemberI would have 2nd thoughts getting a Powerstar W7 Inverters..they are very poor quailty & have very high idle power compsumption.
here is a blog about a W7 owners saga:http://forums.energymatters.com.au/solar-wind-gear/topic3344.html
Posted Tuesday 7 Aug 2012 @ 4:48:41 am from IP # -
Flying high
MemberRe nopooz's bill,
OMG, and here is me being concerned about my $360 bill for 3 months, 2 adults and 3 teenagers on grid and no PV Yet!
Posted Tuesday 7 Aug 2012 @ 11:30:19 am from IP #
