SolarDIY

Has anyone here ever had success running either of these in a solar-powered off-grid structure?

I've seen and read several sources/product reviews that advise against using each of these (especially incinerating toilets) with a solar setup, but I've heard anecdotes from a couple of people who used a dedicated solar panel for a mini-split and had no problem.

I think an incinerating toilet is the best option for my location, but I'm not sure if I can swing it off-grid.

(Cross posted in !off_grid)

I have three extra solar panels from a pack of 10 I ordered. I don't have room for them to fit with my other 7 panels and am looking for unique ideas on where to put them. I could throw them up on my east facing roof, or perhaps on a large playhouse in the back yard. I could lean them up against a south wall, or mount them to a railing. Any other crazy ideas?

I'm looking to build out a semi-off grid system for a cabin. I have a 2000w generator I'd like to use to feed the inverter/charger to assist with the battery charging. The datasheet indicates that it'll draw significantly more current than the generator can provide. Can the charge current be adjusted down in software? I see recommendations for buying a standalone AC charger, but that seems silly. I'm looking at the GroWatt SPF-3000 unit.

Will Prowse just posted a video on his DIY Solar Panel YouTube Chanel on installing a Mini-split HVAC system. He goes through the steps of installing one similar to one I installed in 2014. I paid around $678 for the unit with the intention of installing everything and then having a HVAC company charge the lines. I got busy and lazy and ended up hiring a company for $900 to do the install an setup. But had I known that you don't have to charge the lines, just pull a vacuum on them, I WOULD have made the time to install it myself! I will be installing a second unit in a year or so and was planning on going with Mr. Cool, but if there is still a large price difference, I will go with another Pioneer. So mine has been running for 9 years now, it peaks at 1,000 watts at start up and then pulls just over 500 watts when running.

What exists right now for someone who wants to make a very small solar project?

A family member of mine was hoping to put 1 or 2 panels on the roof of their ADU to power maybe just the small window air conditioner in it, or at least offset a lot of its energy use. Is there anything practical for doing this that doesn't cost multiple thousands of dollars?

In my imagined setup, there would be 1-2 panels on the roof connected to a cheap consumer battery (something like a small ecoflow). The appliance would try and run only off the battery, but if the battery charge level dipped to low it would have some controller that would switch it to grid power until the charge level was back up. I would not want to feed any power into the grid, but I wouldn't want the person living in the space to have to manually switch the power source between the battery and a regular outlet.

If your intention is to supply electricity back to the grid, it is advisable to consult your electric company and local permitting offices (such as city, county, or provincial authorities) to determine the necessary documentation. Requirements may vary, with some entities having stringent specifications for plan submissions, while others may simply prioritize the filing of an application. Even if a formal plan submission is not mandatory, it can be beneficial to create one for personal reference or potential future property sale, as it provides comprehensive information about the installation.

It is important to include several key elements in your documentation. These should encompass a comprehensive list of parts and equipment, their respective power ratings, precise placement of all equipment, appropriate signage, circuit breaker amperage details, wire gauge specifications, conduit information and placement, accurate distances between components, precise equipment measurements, spacing measurements (including height from the ground), smoke alarms, fire breaks and wall backings, fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, and clear call outs for power disconnects. Additionally, it is crucial to provide detailed documentation regarding disconnect procedures and shutdown protocols.

The majority of these tools offer the capability to create precise drawings, plans, and sections of the solar installation. They enable you to incorporate labels, dimensions, and detailed electrical component information. Additionally, some tools provide shading analysis functionality to ensure optimal placement. Some have a steep learning curve, high price, or limited features. Since this is a DIY community I am mainly focusing on free options, but there are plenty of other commercial options not covered.

• Hand drawn sketches - Never underestimate the ease of throwing together a plan on some graph paper!
• LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org) - A free office suite that includes several applications including Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing). Free.
• GIMP (https://www.gimp.org) - GNU Image Manipulation Program - Is primarily an image editing program and does not offer specialized features specifically tailored for solar designs. However, it can still be useful for image manipulation and creating visual representations. One major feature is the ability to work in layers. While it may not have the advanced architectural-specific features found in dedicated CAD or architectural design software, GIMP is certainly a great tool to have. Free.
• Inkscape (https://inkscape.org) - Used for technical illustrations such as diagramming and flow charting. It uses vector graphics to allow for sharp printouts and renderings at unlimited resolution. Free.
• FreeCAD (https://www.freecad.org) - Provides a comprehensive set of tools including parametric modeling, sketching, part design, assembly design, and rendering. Has a high learning curve. Free.
• Open Solar (https://app.opensolar.com) - Online solar design and proposal software. Offers multiple system options, fully rendered 3D designs. You can enter site address, paint on to-scale panels. Provides a pitch, azimuth and shading calculator. Free.

Other tools you might consider, especially if you already have experience with them.

• Dia Diagram Editor (http://dia-installer.de) - A software tool that offers several features for creating and editing diagrams. A better choice might be LibreOffice's Draw program. Free.
• Microsoft Office or other office suits - Much like LibreOffice, there are a few other application suites to choose from that offer similar features as LibreOffice.
• LucidChart (https://www.lucidchart.com) - Online tool that offers an intuitive interface and a library of shapes, icons, and templates that make it easy to create diagrams, flowcharts, wireframes, and other visual representations. Mainly designed for teams. Free limited tier available.
• SketchUp (https://www.sketchup.com) - Browser based 3D modeling software. Free version available.
• BlueBeam (https://www.bluebeam.com) - Used by Architects, engineers and builders, mainly designed for teams. No free version.
• AutoCAD (https://www.autodesk.com) - Steep learning curve. Lots of features, mostly commercial offerings.

Currently the best hybrid inverter has got to be the EG4 18KPV Inverter with the Sol-Ark 15K coming in second only due to the $2,600 price difference. Both of these inverters can do it all. They are relatively easy to install, can be used with a small system and can scale up to handle a 200 amp system with as little as three units (you can start with one and two would cover most consumers needs), have small idle consumption, and can be setup in a variety of ways. If you are looking to DIY a system, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these units.

• https://eg4electronics.com
• https://www.sol-ark.com

Some people are terrified by electricity. I am guessing few in this community fall into that category. What makes you comfortable working with solar systems? For me, my father was an electrical engineer and I learned a lot from watching and helping him run new power and phone outlets. There wasn't anything he was scared of pulling apart to try and fix. I think the first outlet drops I installed in a wall were BNC coax drops in an apartment I was renting. I did take some computer architecture classes at university that formally introduced me to electricity and circuits, later I ended up taking some electrical courses, reading home improvement books, and lots of online videos. I guess I could also look back at the stereo installs I was involved in as a youth for myself and friends.

Are there any Din Rail Ampere Meters that don't require AC power to run? I currently have a shunt in my system that monitors the DC power coming in from my panels. I am about to upgrade my inverter to a smarter one and I will no longer need the shunt. But when looking around, I found some Din Rail ampere meters for AC and thought it would be nice to put something like that next to my DC circuit breaker near my panels. However, every one I have found appears to require AC power.

Here is my example for a starter system you can pick up to learn more about solar installations:

• 2 to 4 [Renogy] 100-watt 12-volt solar panels
• DC Circuit Breaker, 2 Pole 16 Amp Isolator ($16)
• A [Y&H] 1000W DC30-45V Grid Tie Inverter (less than $150)
• A MC4 Solar Crimping Tool with connectors ($25)
• A Ferrule Crimping Tool Kit ($30)
• Some MC4 Y Branch Parallel Adapter ($15)
• Some appropriate sized wire.
• Digital Clamp Multimeter
• Optionally A Electricity Usage Monitor such as a [Kill-O-Watt]
• Optionally a [Bayite] shunt/power meter to monitor your panels
• Optional Rail Power Distribution Enclosure ($30)

This isn't the most efficient system but it will give you enough of a challenge to start with, some tools you can use moving forward, allow you to begin generating power, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I put the usage meters as optional but really you should have something that allows you to monitor usage in real time.

Run two of the solar panels in series (24 volts) and the two series in parallel (around 10 amps). From here you can add more panels, upgrade the inverter, experiment with mounting systems and angles, and finally (after an inverter upgrade) add batteries.

Here are some useful links for calculating wire runs...

-http://assets.bluesea.com/files/resources/newsletter/images/DC_wire_selection_chartlg.jpg -https://www.southwire.com/calculator-vdrop--