Living Off Grid: Solar Power for Self Sufficient Living

Рет қаралды 24,152

4 ай бұрын

Join us on an exciting journey to our off-grid homestead where we harness the power of the sun with our solar panel system. We start with a little fun ice fishing, then get right back at it. Follow along as we share our struggles and successes with mounting our solar panels, wiring them up and connecting them to our home. Get ready to embrace a more self sufficient lifestyle.
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Пікірлер: 182

@kevinkompolt8033 4 ай бұрын

A bad day fishing is better than….a bad day skydiving!

@dwighthires3163 4 ай бұрын

So great to see these solar panels go up. Hopefully these will be a real blessing for many years to come.

@roycelarson7582 4 ай бұрын

It's a great feeling to see the kilowatts coming in. Better late than never! So nice to see it up and running for you😊

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Yes! Thank you! Should have been done a year ago but like you said, better late then never😁

@vickybentley3949 4 ай бұрын

Wow solar panels look great , i love your channel you and Von are so lovely together and so funny i love your videos xx

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

@rastlach 8 күн бұрын

If you have the available space on your land I would suggest leaving them ground mounted. They are much easier to clean, work on, upgrade and you can also add a mechanism to angle them.

@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors 4 ай бұрын

I bet was extremely satisfying to get that installed 👍🏻 Very good

@sarahschlosser1203 4 ай бұрын

Another step to independence and freedom. Congratulations 🎊

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@jewels7832 4 ай бұрын

Awesome on the solar panels.

@heidideshazo5884 4 ай бұрын

I’m so so happy for you both, doing the happy dance for you both

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Right on!😂😁

@kristyjones7657 4 ай бұрын

I came to join your channel because of my favorite KZfaqrs at Simple Living Alaska recommending y’all…& realized I’ve already subscribed… so now I can binge watch your channel!🎉 God bless!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you and welcome to the channel😊

@lauraquigley6403 4 ай бұрын

So Happy you made time to go ice fishing which is my favorite thing to do. Congratulations on solar panels going up too!🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you

@mariannemarkle6244 4 ай бұрын

I am so happy for you guys that your solar setup is up and running! I am sure each time you look at it, it brings a smile to your face!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We’ve been smiling for days😁😁

@skeetermalcolm1655 4 ай бұрын

What a beautiful sight the solar panels are, congratulations guys

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you😊

@kristingrounds4163 4 ай бұрын

Solar is up!!! woohoo!!! This is a game changer for you guys!

@normanmajor5591 4 ай бұрын

Good job on solar panels and enjoying fishing 😊

@edmoores 4 ай бұрын

The solar system will be a game changer. Great job

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@pamelabuchanan6710 4 ай бұрын

Ryan’s hole in his glove matches the hole in his coat! Great job you two!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

😂😂

@robertbartmann8470 4 ай бұрын

That's going to be a one long saw mill shed. According to what you said you need at least 42'. Will it be on a cement slab and something like what Aric & Arielle constructed? Looks like you have some milling to do. That'll be a nice project to keep you guys busy. The place is really comin' together. Looking more like a homestead every day. Well, you have a wonderful Easter. Take care and all the best. Oh, every time I see Kobalt I miss my Dakota. He was a Siberian Husky, and he's the spittin' image of Kobalt, exactly. We had to put him down when he developed seizures that couldn't be controlled. We was my hiking buddy. We had 12 years. Miss him!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

The plan is 45 x 14 and will not be on concrete. Plan is to build a gravel pad to build on .

@sorij3560 4 ай бұрын

Yay for the solar👏👏👏

@OutdoorsandCountryLiving 4 ай бұрын

Heck ya. That’s awesome. Congratulations, Happy Easer and stay well. Great addition to your home. 😁

@brendasmith6076 4 ай бұрын

When you get a project finished it sure makes you feel good. One thing finished and now check it off your list and go on to another. I hope a moose or bear wont get near the panels

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Hope not😊 it won’t be a concern when they’re mounted at their permanent home on our sawmill roof.

@user-hg2tk3xj9y 4 ай бұрын

Bet that unistrut outlasts them panels, extremely well done, not having to run that generator everyday will be worth its weight in gold.

@user-hg2tk3xj9y 4 ай бұрын

Toss a bag of sacrete still in its bag on each kicker, probably all you need for it to be stable unless you get a tornado. Let the rain turn the mix solid, just toss em on for some weight.

@jeaneelmlund5248 4 ай бұрын

Huge accomplishment!! Congrats

@ruthbrown2186 4 ай бұрын

Yes solar power completed, I see all the snow you got and I’m sitting here in 80 degrees weather in Florida. I do miss the snow looks pretty.

@solarcharging9743 4 ай бұрын

Excellent decision choosing this heavy duty, low frequency, transformer based, XW inverter instead of one of those short lived, low surge capacity high frequency, transformerless inverters that all those, youtube hucksters are pushing.

@AlexB-km7os 4 ай бұрын

That was fun. I'd call that a smilestone🤟

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

😂😂love it

@Susan.I 4 ай бұрын

Congratulations on you solar power array!!😊

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!! 😁

@donw8319 4 ай бұрын

I enjoy watching you two recording your venture through life. It's amazing how well you two work together. The type of life you've chosen is tough, but it looks like you are handling it with ease. Thank you for creating the videos for our entertainment

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@steveradecki4608 4 ай бұрын

Hi, you may want to consider using an insulating material (Tesa or Duct Tape), between the aluminium panel and galvanised Unistrut to prevent corrosion due to electrolysis. When you relocate to the new wood shed, assuming you will be repurposing the existing Unistrut

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip😊

@Susan.I 4 ай бұрын

Happy fishing!!😊

@jennifergraham9679 4 ай бұрын

Good that you have your solar system running, will take a load off the generator.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Yes, it will be amazing.

@jacquegrieve9061 4 ай бұрын

So happy for you. Happy Easter 🙂🐇🌷

@kennethalmond8922 4 ай бұрын

Congratulations on Solar! We run a15kw PV array - 3 times the 12panels (5.2kw) you currently have. We're in Southern Oregon and get ~2000kwh+/month summer and ~500kwh/month winter consumable power with spring/fall in-between. I'd suggest in you're planning - leave room for more 435w panels in the future - e.g. 24 panels, (10.4kw), 36 panels (15.7kw), 48 panels (21kw). Solar panels are the lowest maintenance 'system' I have at my home - less trouble than keeping paint on the house. 6 years and the only thing I've done is 'look at them' :). But they take room / planning for the space - maybe up on the house roof at some point as well. Seen some interesting vids on bi-facials performing well in Alaska/snow country mounted vertically like a fence producing as much as tilted - might be an option for you're property and have the advantage of snow will not 'collect on them' so much since they're vertical.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

@Justice1911A1 4 ай бұрын

Exciting to have the solar up and running. Von is right, even a bad fishing trip is a good one 😂 💜from 🇦🇺

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

It sure is!😊

@willglueck3156 4 ай бұрын

🐰Happy Easter.👍

@robertoler3795 4 ай бұрын

we have a system like this at the high cabin on the farm in MT and also here in Gig Harbor...it works great. you will want to mass down the back of the struts...other wise the wind will eventully move it. and GROUND the system at the arrays

@tracymankey9314 3 ай бұрын

That man was so smart he give me a headache on the solar system

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 3 ай бұрын

He’s a fast talker. I have to tell him to slow down, so I can understand what he’s saying.

@bretlawson924 4 ай бұрын

Love watching you two work together! America needs to take example for sure. I really was shocked at how simplistic the solar panel array is....I guess I just assumed bigger than I needed to. LOL the gentleman whom sold you the system really can spew out the info eh?? Wow! Happy Easter to you folks, live in JOY!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

He’s very passionate about solar systems and off grid.😁 He’s the right guy for the job.

@MrClivelupo 4 ай бұрын

So nice to see you like a kid in the candystore and i am enjoying your excitment

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We feel like kids in a candy store😂😁

@dianehill6612 4 ай бұрын

Congrats guys on all your accomplishments. Looking forward to your next video. ❤️

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

@n411xbushpilot 3 ай бұрын

Solor System like yours set up with Advice from EDDY at RES will be the so nice years of Power. We stop running Generator in March and about November is when we have to start running it once every 2 days for about 2 hours. Great video.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 3 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

@JEL66 4 ай бұрын

Hey y'all I love you!! 💜✨ Great video!! 👍Litl' work an a Litl' play!! Sending love and support from Florida 🌺💫💫💫

@duaneklein4924 4 ай бұрын

That is great! One step closer! I like the windmill idea for winter. Thank you for sharing. I am very excited for you both. Keep on, keeping on! Let’s go fishing!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

When and where😁 fish on🎣

@pinkywilliams8063 4 ай бұрын

I still remember the first time I went fishing with my grandparents at the age of five. I was hooked Solar panel check!!!! Congrats for solar power!!! Thanks for sharing

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

That is awesome!😁 we hope it’s the same for our grandkids.

@user-ud7zw2po5g 4 ай бұрын

Hi 👋 well done for your solar power on brilliant ❤❤❤xxx

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@beckypaddock9208 4 ай бұрын

Great fishing 🎣

@domingolopez6394 4 ай бұрын

Great job by both of you.

@nathanurick8320 4 ай бұрын

You two are amazing people

@RaisedinAlaska 4 ай бұрын

Fun video, thanks for sharing.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

@got2b4now 4 ай бұрын

That is awesome!!

@sclivestock5943 4 ай бұрын

Great work folks. Everyday you’re getting closer to the finish line. Congrats. Have an awesome weekend. 🍻

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! You too!

@jacketssprockets9842 4 ай бұрын

So awesome to be getting power. From your system. Fishing looked like fun. I think Kobuck was trying to tell you that the fish were over here. Lol. Love watching your videos thanks.

@rogerkinnis7099 4 ай бұрын

I love you guys your videos are awesome.

@debbiecress7599 4 ай бұрын

looking good, have a very Happy Easter

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, you too!

@randymatthews5263 4 ай бұрын

Corn and green yarn on a hook…..always worked in Alaska for me..

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Good tip😊

@octobersky64 4 ай бұрын

Sweet nice😊

@Melissa16405 4 ай бұрын

Good Friday morning y’all. So happy you got your solar up and running. Hope everyone has a Blessed week, and a Blessed Easter.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! You too!

@ewidmer1 4 ай бұрын

I laughed with youon your fun happy dance

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

😂

@Hawaiigeko96789 4 ай бұрын

We really look forward to your video’s. Love seeing fun stuff and you dog buck. Couldn’t believe how thick the ice was though. If you don’t mind could you put the name of the lake I like to look up on maps to see where in that huge state you playing. Thanks a million. Keep smiling 😊

@savvy1803 4 ай бұрын

Legendary day , congrats Ryan and Von so happy for you both ... long may it ☀☀☀.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you😊

@jackierandall2230 4 ай бұрын

Happy easter

@RobinJones-ow9oz 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for capturing the Northern lights I bet there are a lot beautiful there than not seeing them on video but thank you for that that's my dream to see that. What's that dogs name mean never heard it before.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it😊 Our dog name is Kobuk. He’s named after the Kobuk river here in Alaska.

@charlenegrady8781 4 ай бұрын

So happy you have the solar panels up. Good job guys. Want to wish you both a Happy Easter🌸

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you😊

@jackierandall2230 4 ай бұрын

Your solar panels are beautiful..a perfect set up ..one little suggestion is to tie the panels off so that the wind will not make them into big tumble weeds.you guys are doing a fantastic job on your homestead...😊😊😊😊😊😊

@Angiewallenstein 3 ай бұрын

Hurray for solar panels 🙂

@estellaknox9285 4 ай бұрын

Amazing i am glad for you guys

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!😊

@jeffsizemore6869 4 ай бұрын

Congratulations on the solar guys Awesome video

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you!😊

@acowboyinalaska4651 4 ай бұрын

Lookin good, in Tok on my way home to Anchor Point, think I will stick around for few day and wait out the wind/snow. Maybe catch ya at Fast Eddies

@dawnmuringer9286 4 ай бұрын

Glad you had time to go fishing ,sorry you didn't get any! So happy for you on your solsr..will be a game changer for your homestead!!❤

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

The few days we’ve had it up have been amazing.

@florencecampbell774 4 ай бұрын

You did a great job you two.🌺🌺👍

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🤗

@OffGridWithChrisandKristie 4 ай бұрын

Oh man, we built a massive array last summer and it sure was a feat! It’ll be great to be putting your investment to use finally!

@patriciamontague6035 4 ай бұрын

Looks good hi from Colorado Springs 😀

@ramiromarin4002 4 ай бұрын

Great job guys, Happy Friday and Weekend 😊😊😊, Love your Hair girl. GBU BOTH

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much

@waderue 4 ай бұрын

wow, you have a wind turbine? nice now if you get it high enough and get it in, it will help a lot to give you power so having a system giving you power so nice job, and don't think I don't believe in solar I do I just think it where it should to get the most power from the sun

@rosemaryjasper1121 4 ай бұрын

Great video guys! Your videos always have a really positive vibe. Now you’ve got the solar up and running it will give you both even more to smile about! Looking forward to seeing the transformation now you’ve got all the muddying and finishing done on the bedroom, and bathroom. Just love you guys, you treat each other with respect are always polite when you speak to each other. You have fun just being together, it’s so good to see.❤

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We love reading comment like this😁 Thank you for the uplifting boost.

@vanlifenomadfirekeeper 4 ай бұрын

Love your hat and gloves.(-:

@elmercarroll2817 4 ай бұрын

2 kernels of corn and a drop of anise oil works well. Just a tip.

@IWANASLAPTHAT 4 ай бұрын

WOW Brian Shaw doing the off grid. At the start when you was fishing your wife looked like she was late 20s. You make a great couple and I wish you all the best and I'm going to Subscibe. Stay safe and healthy.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Welcome to the channel and thank you for the sub.😊

@OrganicPower-Australia 4 ай бұрын

Hey there! You might be interested in my up coming episode on off grid lightning protection A must for defending your valuable electronic equipment. Check out the pre-build video @OrganicPower-Australia 😎

@annobrien223 4 ай бұрын

Great hiv toy tqi

@brendamower1412 4 ай бұрын

Happy Dance

@bentitmus5960 4 ай бұрын

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but the hold down clips between the panels, can lead to broken panels. They need to be rotated 90 degrees. The hooked tab should not go against the panels, but should be used to separate the panels... just a little info from a solar service tech... otherwise congratulations on your new arryay... I love the unistrut temp racking.

@bentitmus5960 4 ай бұрын

Just to clarify, the hold downs between the panels are horizontal along the long side of the clip, the clip needs to be rotated 90 degrees, so they will then run vertical along the long side

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for letting us know that. We weren’t sure how they should be oriented.

@jimmyjohnstone5878 4 ай бұрын

The dog pissed on your snowmobile whilst you were getting ready.

@octobersky64 4 ай бұрын

Great job the both of you on the solar system. Very nice fur hat and gloves Von may I ask what kinda fur it is tks

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Both hat and gloves are beaver fur.

@jimmyjohnstone5878 4 ай бұрын

Interesting stuff on the house power supply plans. Usually there's no wind in winter high pressure periods. What studies have been done as to the wind strength and duration in your area ?

@mathewjaycox843 3 ай бұрын

I know of some people who have windmill/turbine for wind generation and they are not quiet.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 3 ай бұрын

Yeah we have a buddy who has one in our area and it loud. We would put it out behind the generator building g about 200 ft away from the house.

@clarke6436 3 ай бұрын

Awesome job, p.ease wear safety glasses when playing with solar you om Only get one pair of eyes.

@waderue 4 ай бұрын

So you have 12 panels and yes it might make enough to run home maybe but if you have a shop and other outbuildings that need power you need more panels and I watched this one show and they have over 50 panels to run their shop and small home and now they add a new bigger shop and they have set even more panels to run it so solar can be great as long as the sun is out and good thing you have backup generator and so does other channel I watch but like tell most people just hook to grid if you can and save you self from all issue you will have in long and all money you will have spend

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Panels are only a part of the equation. More importantly is the batteries. I would rather have more storage(batteries) than more panels. I can run anything a person on the grid can run, because we have lots of battery storage. When you have 50 panels and the sun is out, all you’re doing is wasting energy if you have nowhere to store it for when it’s needed.

@OffgridwithJayandJen 4 ай бұрын

ComOOOooN FISH!!!! =)

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

😂😂

@OffgridwithJayandJen 4 ай бұрын

slightly superior calling option than.....Here Fishy fishy fishy. LOL.....Happy Easter Guys@@wildwoodoffgridalaska

@mathewjaycox843 3 ай бұрын

One thing you are probably already aware of is that squirrels, rabbits and porcupines like to chew on rubber coated wires.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 3 ай бұрын

Squirrels get shot here, not many rabbits and no porcupines. The wires are temporary until the panels go on the sawmill shed roof, then they will be buried in conduit.

@miephoex 4 ай бұрын

Were Eric and Ariel already there? Hope they left you some! 😂

@fifesters 4 ай бұрын

Now your fishing like I do. Skunk city

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

You’re rubbing off on us.😁

@fifesters 4 ай бұрын

@@wildwoodoffgridalaska it’s not such a bad thing it leaves more room in the freezer for red meat.

@brianiller2793 4 ай бұрын

Dang it Vaughn I see you still haven't fixed that coat yet come on girl 😅

@rockylockhart7301 4 ай бұрын

How do you know what type of inverter, charge controller plus size of panels to buy for the amount of power you want plus future? Also size of batteries you need to have in addition to have power overall?? I know it’s a loaded question a tuff question but knowing helps more than you know.. Most people don’t know how solar can help save money.. the maintenance stance to cost is important to me and personally you guys are great teachers and your knowledge helps the newbie’s like myself grow.. Thanks wonderful video.. You guys are awesome

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We’ll be doing a complete solar video in the future to cover all those questions.

@Nannygoat 4 ай бұрын

Hi Von and Ryan Happy Easter! Another good video. Question. Will the diesel generator require yearly maintenance? Cheers and have a blessed weekend.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Not sure yet, we want to keep it in tip top shape for future use. I doubt that yearly visits to the mechanic will be required but this last year is the most that generator has ever run in its life. It’s been a great generator so far.

@Nannygoat 4 ай бұрын

My dad was a diesel mechanic. That being said he professed the engines maintained will last 100 years. My little town has a big diesel engine that powered the town in 1920s that still runs!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

@@Nannygoat Tok’s power comes from two big diesel generators. I agree with what your dad’s sentiment was. I figure if I spend a little $ now on preventative maintenance it’ll pay for itself in the long run.

@danielcarmody7235 4 ай бұрын

Are the bolts made of a different material than what you are screwing into if so you might want to use Never Seeze on bolts cause you’ll be moving them to final position later (just a thought)

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

It’s all galvanized metal. I don’t see us having any issues with disassembly.

@eremoshomestead7406 4 ай бұрын

What did you use to make the angle on the strut for the end mounts???? If you answer this in the video I appologize....I got excited and am going to use this to mount my panels.

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

Piece of bent flat iron, bent to the angle I needed and bolted to the unistrut.

@bigd3454 4 ай бұрын

👍👍

@paulharbron5235 4 ай бұрын

Hey guys, hope you're both well! Great job getting the solar up and running. Out of interest, how much diesel roughly were you getting through for the generator each month over the winter? When you build the sawmill shed and get the panels on the roof, are you intending to be able to clear snow from the roof, or are you just going to build the shed to cope with the load and leave the snow around the panels etc? Stay safe both of you!

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We didn’t really track it that accurately but it didn’t seem to take much. Over winter we’re estimating about 40 gallons per month. The sawmill shed will be built to handle the panels plus any snow load. It will be a 5/12 pitch shed roof facing south and should shed the snow fairly easily.

@jiminalaska 4 ай бұрын

where did you get the brackets to hold the panels? I am putting solar in my place on Point Mac. MEI wanted 13-15 K$ for grid. I figure I can do it for half and have no monthly bills and not loose electricity with every storm

@wildwoodoffgridalaska 4 ай бұрын

We received them from RES (renewable energy systems) in Fairbanks when we purchased the system.