Solar Panels and Storage

[KonoctisWigwam]

@Eastenerwesterner I'm creating this thread in the Prepardnes & Survival forum .

Not sure if it's on topic or not, but I don't think we have a too many post problem on CSF. If it's not on topic, someone hollar and I'll remove this.

The Tesla panels are pretty pricey, and the installation is also. Did you install yours for yourself?

I have some flexibility, as I'm building the home...I'm not really forced to use the roof, I can mount panels in the trees, or on the slope. We get a lot of sun at my property, but I have trees to provide shade.

I will probably only do something I can install myself.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

I had to replace the original solar system on the house. Because of a medical condition of a family member, the power walls were covered under a utility company program.
I had them design the system to keep my transfer switch. I have a large propane tank for fuel source for the generator.

Solar install isn’t rocket science. I installed a panel on my camper that charges my portable power pack. I just have to try to park camper with the panel facing south.

I have installed one on my wife’s heavily modded SUV hood to keep the battery up. When she did some electrical modifications, something has a phantom drain.

There are some companies that put together a system for self install. I will make a separate post for what I am doing at my retirement house.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

At my retirement house, there are frequent power outages. I had no large fuel source like a big propane tank. Solar is not a viable option because of coastal fog.

I have a couple portable power packs. I looked at their whole house battery backup system. It starts with an automatic transfer subpanel that has 12 circuit spots. Remember 240 appliances take 2 spots.
You can add a generator outlet to charge the batteries and run the subpanel circuits. I believe I read that 2 drained batteries will charge in 2 1/2 hours from generator.

Then you need the battery system. An inverter can handle 5 batteries. I keep track of their sales and am up to 5 batteries (equivalent to 2 powerwalls). Price is cheaper than powerwalls . You can connect solar panels to the inverter to charge batteries

The subpanel can handle 3 inverters . So the whole system is scalable and you can buy a little at a time.

I don’t have the subpanel installed there yet. But I have plugged the inverter/ batteries into the transfer switch at my main house and it powers things fine.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

I don't know if I can get a state rebate or not, it seems those days are dwindling to a halt by the current admin. It is also mainly why most people in the area I just moved from had Teslas, and solar panels on their roofs, mainly because it was state subsidized. I think buying panels with no power storage would make sense to offset the cost, and I had a company that was interested in doing it, but alas I don't have a house to put it yet.

The power goes out about once every 2 weeks here, so PG&E said I could get rebated for adding storage. I don't know what that really means though, dollar wise.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

My new system at the main house, I think is undersized. Half the panels of the old system. On good days, yes I am selling power to PGE.
Here is the kicker- they pay you a nickel and charge you back a dollar when you need it.

The federal rebate is ending 30%. Don’t give this state too much credit their rebate wasn’t as generous.

If you go the EcoFlow way, you could still get the Federal 30% Credit by the end of the year.

Another company that make Powerwall type storage is LG. The big difference between LG and Tesla is the software. My buddy has LG and we have compared what we can do. My app is lightyears ahead. The EcoFlow app is better than the LG ap.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Here is the kicker- they pay you a nickel and charge you back a dollar when you need it.

That doesn't add up very well, unless you do that "new math".

If you go the EcoFlow way, you could still get the Federal 30% Credit by the end of the year.

I need to think if I can do this or not.

Another company that make Powerwall type storage is LG. The big difference between LG and Tesla is the software. My buddy has LG and we have compared what we can do. My app is lightyears ahead. The EcoFlow app is better than the LG ap.

LG is made in Korea though. Tesla is made here. LG must be cheaper, but is probably not cheap.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

Gave you options as I know them.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Gave you options as I know them.

I wish I was in a position to do this right now, but I'm still trying to pull things together to even be able to live on my property. Hopefully that comes to a close on Dec. 3rd, when the water district board of directors vote on my settlement offer.