4 HUGE Reasons To Build Your Own Solar Power System!

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Country Living Experience: A Homesteading Journey

11 күн бұрын

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Пікірлер: 83

@davidsorenson3188 9 күн бұрын

My wife and I live in Davao City, Philippines. I started researching doing my own solar system 4 years ago and prefer to do it myself in affordable phases. I created some redundancy by having several charge controllers and several solar arrays so if one section goes down I still have power. I'm still learning but so far it's working great. Every time the power goes out the entire neighborhood is pitch black but our 1/2 property is well lit. I'm expanding now to also power our 3 fridges.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Wow, small world. My wife is from Davao. I have been there many times over the years. Glad you have your system up and running there. I am sure it helps out a lot with all of the power outages.

@davidsorenson3188 9 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Wow, that is amazing! How long have you been together? This November will be our 26th year since we first met and this last April was our 24th year of marriage. We actually live out in the country near Davao in a small Barangay called Bankas Heights.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Very cool. We have been married for 15 years. Her family lived by the SM Lanang mall.

@davidsorenson3188 8 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Wow, very cool. As I write this we are eating lunch at SM Ecoland. I drive the new coastal highway from our house and Park in the SM Ecoland parking lot. We take taxi from here to SM Lanang on occasion. We love eating at the Vikings buffet. By the way, they are beginning to build a bridge from Davao to Samal Island, close to Paradise Beach resort 🙂

@CountryLivingExperience 8 күн бұрын

@@davidsorenson3188 We have spent a lot of time at Paradise resort and love the Vikings buffet.

@q2w8i9o 7 күн бұрын

💯 agreed! Build my our system 2 yrs ago. In 2 yrs so much progress in the mpp is crazy. More capacities now and less parts to add since everything is in the inverter (solar switch, breakers etc). It is so easy to install a solar system now!

@lancebenson8400 8 күн бұрын

Great video. I agree on almost all points--except that net metering at 1-for-1 cannot work in the long run. It the short run, it has been vital in getting rooftop solar going in California (and elsewhere) at scale, but the utility companies cannot continue to pay for electricity at the cost they charge (up to 24 cents a kilowatt in California) when they can purchase it from other generators for maybe 4 cents or 6 cents a kilowatt. Other ratepayers have to make up the difference.

@Terrathrax 9 күн бұрын

You are so fortunate to have Signature Solar nearby. Keep up the good work.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Thank you. It’s a blessing for sure.

@luisjimenez5898 9 күн бұрын

Signature Solar is the BEST. I live in Puerto Rico. I purchased a battery to be shipped to me in Puerto Rico.. Well packed. Great customer service and quality products.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Awesome!

@TheWillisHomestead 9 күн бұрын

We live in KY and got scammed. I’m definitely going to try to learn as much as I can to use what equipment I do have and then add to. I’ve always wanted solar. We purchased from a company. Never even received a battery system. We went into debt for this system. Since then, we’ve moved to our new homestead and brought what we do have to our new home. I will definitely be utilizing your videos to help! Thanks!

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Oh no. I am sorry you have gone through this. It is becoming more and more common. Let me know if you have any questions once you start installing your system.

@TheWillisHomestead 8 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience thank you so much! That means more to me than you know!

@amsohn1 9 күн бұрын

Thanks Eric, blessings and Happy Father's Day ❤

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Thank you

@shadaiperez Күн бұрын

I never considered not putting it on the roof. This is a good idea.!!!

@CountryLivingExperience Күн бұрын

And way better for your roof.

@paul.phillips 9 күн бұрын

Building your on system isn't difficult, and you just might learn something. I've bought plenty of stuff from Signature Solar, would recommend. Installing one of their mini-splits in the next week or two.

@clarencewiles963 9 күн бұрын

DIY Thumbs up 👍

@DavidGetchel 8 күн бұрын

Main house (new construction) was done by professionals. The other systems we did ourselves.

@labncroft 9 күн бұрын

I followed you from your very first solar build video. You gave me inspiration that I can do this. My 27kw solar array going to 32kw 7:49 eg4 inverters with 1160 amp hr of LifePo4 battery storage system is almost finished (20 month DIY). Thanks for all your videos and encouragement!!!

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

You’re welcome! I am very happy to help! So glad you got almost everything set up. Can’t wait to hear from you when you fire it up.

@kcmgfarm2389 9 күн бұрын

As always love the solar content. Happy Father's Day

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

I appreciate it. Happy Father's Day

@joehenthompson2023 9 күн бұрын

Great video. Thank you

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Thank you

@jhosk 9 күн бұрын

I'm an electrician and here's some things you can also do. 1. The contract you sign should benefit you. 2. Require an inspection from a third party that you choose. 3. If DYI then again get an inspection afterwards.

@icemaniiscott 9 күн бұрын

You are MUCH more kind than I am... last month, I too decided to diy my system after coming to the conclusion that solar companies are even more disreputable than even ROOFERS! Granted, I do know of one good roofer, and I THOUGHT I had found a good solar company, but when they tried to tell me I needed stamped drawings from a structural engineer when I live in an unincorporated area, I know they had gone off the rails. I too found Signature Solar (though my experience with them has been DISTINCTLY different than yours), ended up getting the EG4 18k, it was delivered last week. If you don't mind, could I possibly pick your brain directly if needed? I'm over on the west side of DFW out in the country. Thanks in advance, Scott

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

I am happy to help you where I can. You can email me at the channel email address if you want to have a longer conversation.

@randya9143 9 күн бұрын

Don't know how far you are from DFW "out west," but I am in between Ft Worth and Dallas . I have been getting into this solar stuff for about 9 months and am now addicted. 😢 I have put in 3 different systems now, one at my shop, and two at my house. I am still experimenting at my house on the final setup. House: 6000xp and 4k in PV, 30kwh in batteries on a stand alone shed. Two Anker Solix F3800's with extra batteries on my critical loads panel. The experimental part is trying to decide how to best use all the components to lower my light bill.

@dmark6699 9 күн бұрын

Good to see you back happy Fathers day.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Thanks. Happy Father’s Day to you as well. I’ve been around. Seems like KZfaq is suppressing some of my vids so they aren’t getting out.

@dmark6699 9 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience I Think YT is doing that.

@Zardozz_Cognoggin 7 күн бұрын

"Run the conduit" this is another point of common overcharging. Where is conduit and wireways required, vs just to look "professional "

@MichaelGolpe 9 күн бұрын

4:55 Definitely how I would do it.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Yep. This is a good option for many.

@user-kl4vd4gg3u 9 күн бұрын

I started my solar journey when I was living in AZ, had a few local companies in Navajo county come out and give me estimates. They were either insanely expensive or wouldn't even do the work if I just wanted them to run conduit or some other small part of the installation. Even electricians wouldn't just run conduit for me, so I was forced to do it myself. You would think AZ would be a solar friendly state, but no, my local city (Show Low) put up road block upon road block when I tried to do it myself, seems like they were anti solar IMHO. So I moved back to FL and was able to do it myself and save tons of money and my system will pay for itself in 10 or less years. Thanks to this channel and a few others dedicated to solar I was able to learn and now I can setup just about any solar system to suit my needs :)

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Crazy they were not more supportive in AZ. So glad we were able to help you with our videos.

@bobmonztr 8 күн бұрын

I was recently quoted 86500 for a system I spent 30000 on, crooks. All in one inverter's, are simple to hook up, or do all you are comfortable with and hire an electrician for an hour. If you watch enough install videos you can install your own easily from memory. Step 1, size the system to work in all conditions, oversize your inverter to allow upgrades. I started with 18 panels 8370w and upgrading to 12+kw, battery at 48kw but can increase to 96kw. If upgrades work, then 2400+ watts through full overcast. Expecting 3kw+ when the snow sticks again.

@CountryLivingExperience 8 күн бұрын

Wow, that is highway robbery for sure. DIY is the way to go.

@DanRingwald 6 күн бұрын

Great video and great service to the community and beyond. From other channels the banks are a big part of the solar problems as the have raised the equipment loan rates to contractors from 7% to 30% putting more contractors out of business. Another reason for DIY. I am looking forward to Solar Edge and their bi-directional chargers by the end of 2024. Using EV's big batteries will be interesting addition especially for business leasing and handing them back every three years. How will the deal with that? 😮😊

@CountryLivingExperience 6 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful

@tanyawilliamson3968 9 күн бұрын

We got a grid tied system and wished now that we had gotten the battery backup to allow us the ability to switch over if the grid went down. Is there any videos out there showing how that switch could be done by us?

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

I haven’t seen any that make the switch. Unfortunately, your inverters may not support batteries if they are only pure grid tied inverters. That means you may have to switch those out.

@mistercat9875 5 күн бұрын

Hi, why u not install the panels at the roof of your house? it's same direction

@CountryLivingExperience 5 күн бұрын

1. The house is too close to the trees and has too much shade. 2. I do not want 400 holes in my roof. 3. The ground mount is at a better angle for my latitude.

@bullseyenot 9 күн бұрын

Is that main rack a Sinclair?

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Nope. It is a Powers Solar frame. They are out of Arizona.

@TheObserver567 8 күн бұрын

I regret the 75k I wasted…. Need to figure a way to add these eg4 system and batteries. Probably would save my investment that way. Currently paying a loan and an electric bill.

@CountryLivingExperience 7 күн бұрын

Oh no. That is a big investment. Hope you can get it sorted out.

@rockygrindstaff7312 9 күн бұрын

Maybe Signature Solar has gotten better at responding after the sale.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

They’ve added about 150 new staff members in the last year. They have.

@Chris-ie9os 9 күн бұрын

I think you mean 100% - 200% more.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

If you found 200%, that is astronomically insane.

@Chris-ie9os 9 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Most turnkey installs are >$3/w. Easily >3x more than DIY.

@honeybee6674 9 күн бұрын

I can't do it myself. I am 70 year old female.

@StandForFreedom1776 9 күн бұрын

I know high power wires can cause lupus because of the radiation coming off of them. Have you tested how much radiation is coming off the high power wire and the solar panels. I have heard the bottom side of the Solar panels give off radiation. I don't want to put any solar panels on my roof if they are giving off radiation. Have you ever done any testing on this and if so, what was your findings?

@hadleymanmusic 9 күн бұрын

Everything you mention is not radioactive. They do emit EMF Electro magnetic frequencies. Get you a small handheld AM radio, fresh batteries and dial in a quiet spot on the frequency's. Now you can go around your house and check everything, led lights, TV's, microwave ovens, fluorescent lamps Neon lamps Under a power line? I don't know how close you can get to the wire to hear.

@StandForFreedom1776 9 күн бұрын

@@hadleymanmusic EMF is a form of radiation but that is neither here or there. I do not want to discourage anyone with my questions from getting a solar system so, I just sent you an email. Thanks for a quick reply.

@GeoSnipesW 9 күн бұрын

@StandForFreedom1776 the sun gives off constant radiation which hits you every day. How do you protect against that? How do you protect your roof against it?

@paulbuoniconti5275 8 күн бұрын

Anyone in central Florida that can update eg4 batteries. Ordered a system and it's been a nightmare. Solar panels was no problem but batteries and communication with the inverter has been terrible.

@CountryLivingExperience 8 күн бұрын

As long as you have the correct cable, it should be easy to update them.

@CountryLivingExperience 8 күн бұрын

You also need to have a newer computer with a compatible operating system.

@JamesFraley 9 күн бұрын

By some predatory companies out there, do you mean most of them?

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

There are still many good ones.

@JamesFraley 9 күн бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience the problem is that it’s nearly impossible to determine which ones are good and which ones are bad. Doing it yourself is about the only realistic answer.

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

I understand. I agree.

@MitchOfCanada 9 күн бұрын

There is a massive solar crash in Canada with the tax incentives ending. Down to $0.50/watt now

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

Wow! Awesome

@Snerdles 6 күн бұрын

Where? I've been trying to get solar set up since before the greener homes program finished and I still can't find a system with a payoff period less than 20 years.

@ginthos 9 күн бұрын

Our electric company (and others) have a "line maintenance fee". This fee is to be "fair to the neighbors" that do not have solar. Billed to you monthly based on generative capacity, our's would be $5.41 per kw of solar array. So, with a 30kw array, the fee would be $162.30 per month and this would be applied to you ,so that you do not make you neighbors bill go up! The idea being that you're connected to the very expensive grid, that has to be maintained, and the utility company wants to ensure that you pay your fair share. READ THE FINE PRiINT! The utility companies that do this is on the rise. Also, once you install a battery, the company will not net meter, at all. So we dropped the grid completely. Bad program. I am convince that a desire to "industrialize" solar production rules the road and autonomous individuals are frowned upon.

@CountryLivingExperience 8 күн бұрын

That is insane. The are such crooks. Glad you dropped the grid.

@BritishAnts 9 күн бұрын

Thanks to your old president it’s gonna cost you big money going solar over the next decade! The world is going to leave USA oil dependant until 2050. Until you can catch up you solar is going to become very expensive as demand outstrips supply!

@CountryLivingExperience 9 күн бұрын

I totally understand. I just did a video on that topic last week.