DIY - Home Solar Hybrid - Standalone - Grid Tie - Done!! Video
Well, I think I've finally finished my home solar project. After doing a lot of reading, I believe I have an otherwise decent and safe system. I tried to design it around the NEC's Article 690 as much as "practical". I've added additional components, and changed a few things around. It's been an enjoyable and worthwhile learning experience. I read "free" books on design, operation & maintenance, and safety, along with referencing the National Electrical Code in relation to PV systems. After playing with my new Grid Tie inverter, I'm convinced that it's a good addition to any system that produces 500+ Watts of power. My system is not the best and my way is not the only way to implement a home system, but I hope my ideas helps someone along the way. For those that wish to truly learn about Stand-Alone PV system design etc, the following are excellent free books I downloaded and used:
1.) Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems - (by Sandia National Labs)
2.) Maintenance And Operation of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems (Sandia)
3.) Working Safely with Photovoltaic Systems (Sandia National Labs)
4.) Photovoltaic Power Systems And the 2005 NEC: Suggested Practices
Simply google the titles and download the pdf's, and your good to go. Good Fortune, and have fun.
Latest Diagrams:
(Expanded System)
http://dc254.4shared.com/download/M7petfJh/24Volt_Solar_Hybrid_StandAlone.jpeg
(Initial System)
http://dc382.4shared.com/download/ezsve8j3/24Volt_Home_Solar_Backup_Syste.jpeg
Other useful links;
http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/PDF/Stand%20Alone.pdf
http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/PDF/98TLREF13.pdf
overkill, too much ...
overkill, too much stuff? man!.. you should do more reading.
No problem,? I'll ...
No problem,? I'll update the link in the description.
All of your videos ...
All of your videos are super informative and I really appreciate you for taking the time to share. Thanks ! Your updated drawing would really be helpful? to me, Im having trouble accessing it. Can you help?
I'll try and see if ...
I'll try and see if I can? see about connecting one of them to the load side of the charge controller without frying them. Thanks.
I see the grid tie ...
I see the grid tie seems to give you more watts connected to battery bank but you can only run it for 3 to 4 hrs.? Would you be better off to connect grid tie to a charge controllers dump load comming from battery bank, so your batteries are always full and you would then have your grid tie on for longer periods? 450 watts is good but say 300 over 6 hrs is better, and you wouldnt have to watch it! Just a thought, really like your vids and hope you keep them up. Thanks
Thanks for your ...
Thanks for your comments. Actually, the GTI's are run during a sunny day for 3 or 4 hrs. Around noon they are turned off and the batteries are fully recharged to full capacity in approximately 2 to 3 hrs. The Depth of Dicharge is generally not more than 10% during that time. I generate 1.5kW or more during that time. Optima AGM's are generally good for 5 years if taken care of, a 10% DoD shouldn't hurt them. Think of what a car alternator and battery does everyday it's? driven to work.
Thanks for your ...
Thanks for your comments. The mppt charge controllers for this 24v system support a max of 400w, 70v & 15A per array. Each panel array is connected in series and doesn't exceed the limits. Each array without the CC will not generate more than 8 or 9 amps, hense the higher volts for the mppt's. The fans are there to keep the units cooler during the summer months to prolong? life, overheating is not a problem with these. The 2 controllers are there because the arrays are different.
Was wondering if ...
Was wondering if your grid tie is connected to battery bank your battery bank will never? fully charge, could this damage your batteries and how could you get around it? I agree that connecting the grid tie to batteries would make the grid tie more effective.
did you ever think ...
did you ever think your charge controllers are to small maybe you can loose the fans in? you upgrade your charge controllers.
Thanks, 2 other ...
Thanks, 2 other viewers? were thinking along the same lines. At the time that idea didn't occur to me, and I know it would've worked. But in any case, my current approach also gives me some additional flexibility. Take Care.
Just a thought. ...
Just a thought. You could run those two fans in series on the 24v,? without converting to 12v, and running them parallel.
You can do that, ...
You can do that, you just need a voltage? switch, that turns on a relay when the batteries are full, then shuts off when they start getting low.
I've never heard? ...
I've never heard? of anyone doing it either, but it made sense rather than dumping any excess current to something like a heater.
I don't know if you ...
I don't know if you could wire a dump load to the charge controller. Seems like it would be an excellent way to handle excess power if it works. But again, I've? never tried it so I wouldn't know.
Would you know if ...
Would you know if you can wire the dump load from your charge controller to the Grid Tie Inverter? That way when your batteries are full, you are exporting the energy? you're still producing. Thanks for the tour.
In response to ...
In response to Prancinglion1, this video shows 2 of 4 panels. 2 panels are mounted on a pole in the yard, and 2 are? on the roof. Together the 2 separate solar arrays total approximately 670w.
All this... and for ...
All this... and for two solar panels??
Would be a great ...
Would be a great idea if I could incorporate the water cooling aspect into the design somehow. Take? Care.
i think you should? ...
i think you should? have water-cooled :P
Thanks for the ...
Thanks for the comments, and yes you are correct. I didn't think of that at the time.? Also with the terminal block I get a little more flexibility so I can use more 12v items. But again, good catch. Take Care.
For the fans you ...
For the fans you could have just put them in series and connec? it to the 24 volt output because in series the voltage add up so 12 plus 12 would be 24 volts no problem whit out burning the fans
Thanks for the ...
Thanks for the comments. And yes I also believe it's a worthwhile addiction. I look forward to your videos so I can also learn a few things from you also. Take? care.
Great videos! I've ...
Great videos! I've learned a lot from you, and now trying to post my own vids to help beginners such as myself. I'm sure you'll admit this is an addicting hobby, but one that pays you back in many ways. At least that's what I'm telling? Mrs.
You can reasonably ...
You can reasonably expect to spend between 4K and 6K on a setup similar to mine. That also includes professional services from? General Contractors and Electricians. Also, since this was not done all at once, but in pieces over months, that made the project more feasible. Save a little, buy a little. Also, I will be taking advantage of the Tax credits offered to defer some of the cost. Also, you could also use cheaper components, i.e., batteries, controllers, panels, etc.
Whats the cost ...
Whats the cost break down for this set-up??
In simple terms, a ...
In simple terms, a Grid-Tie inverter is a specially designed inverter, that plugs directly into your house outlet to supplement (or add to) the power coming from your utility, thus reducing the amount of electricity used from the utility (grid). A normal inverter is used to power appliances etc separately from the utility (grid), and can not be plugged in to work interactively with the utility grid. I have? 2 controllers because I have 2 different types of solar arrays. Thanks
If your still ...
If your still looking for a diagram of my current system. A link to the diagram is included? in the description of this video. Simply cut and paste the link in your browser. It's under the part labeled "Latest Diagram". Thanks and Good Fortune to you.
whats the ...
whats the difference? between a Tie- Grid inverter connected to a battery bank compared to a Normal Sine wave inverter!!!! Just a thought. Pretty cool system. Why do you have two solar controllors??? Just wondering.
Can you send me the ...
Can you send me the diagram of your solar? setup?
Nice video,i hope one day to have something like that in my house!
I have only 14 years old,but already done a mini solar setup with a car battery and a 150 watts inverter to power my things during a power outage.
Actually, that's a ...
Actually, that's a good suggestion and I hadn't thought of that. However, the adapter does give a little? more flexibility to run additional small 12v items along with the computer fans. For instance, my wall mounted fan to cool my GTI also runs at 12v.
