Off Grid Solar System For Home Electricity! First Steps To Take And The Components We Chose!

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Country Living Experience: A Homesteading Journey

2 жыл бұрын

Off Grid Solar System For Home Electricity! First Steps To Take And The Components We Chose! Signature Solar Affiliate Link...CLICK HERE: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=c...
Growers Solution Discount Code CLE21 on Greenhouses over $2500 get free shipping and a free gift of a Master Gardener Drip Irrigation Kit or a 4' x 300' roll of ground cover. Promo Ends 12/01/21 so hurry! www.growerssolution.com/
Help our family by shopping through this Amazon link: www.amazon.com/shop/countryli... Or Support Us With PayPal at countrylivingexperience@gmail.com
Get Your GrubTerra Treats Here: bit.ly/35CUV9Z Don't Forget Your Discount Code: CLE.
We have obtained our 48v solar system components like the GroWatt inverters from Signature solar.
Emergency Items We Own:
Butane Cooking Burner: amzn.to/3rbVmAj
Primus Camp Stove: amzn.to/3sLqvLc
Isobutane: amzn.to/3uLvJsr
Mr. Heater: amzn.to/3bUCLlV
Sunglife Survival Radio: amzn.to/3qbKD7L
Solar Cell Phone Charger: amzn.to/3q8Nezn
Crosscut Saw: amzn.to/3bW3eQc
Scythe/Snath: amzn.to/3bdCTOx amzn.to/2PvDVNr
Items Used To Start Our Seeds:
Jiffy Peat Pods: amzn.to/3rtqaMA
Metal Racks: amzn.to/3oYsU2T
Barrina Grow Lights: amzn.to/3tDW0IA
1020 Grow Trays: amzn.to/2LuMF4v
Heat Mats: amzn.to/36W6lpv
Rack Cover: amzn.to/3cRX2KZ
Humidity Domes: amzn.to/3rzED9S
Pot Labels: amzn.to/36TDm5K
2" Seed Starting Pots: amzn.to/36OZK07
Tools And Products We Own And Recommend For Your Homestead:
Dewalt impact driver: amzn.to/2ptNXBY
Granite Ware water bath canner: amzn.to/2CQquOn
Bear Grease waterproofing compound: amzn.to/2CNDBzO
Greenhouse film: amzn.to/2poM2yn
DB Smith pump sprayer: amzn.to/2Qr9o1m
Marbles small camp axe: amzn.to/2KsbuKT
Cold pressed orange oil: amzn.to/2KvaaXo
Sea-90 organic mineral fertilizer: amzn.to/2rK9cA2
Pure neem oil: amzn.to/33WTmR4
Products We Own And Recommend For Your Garden:
Flame Weeding Torch: amzn.to/2Zf2Is3
Worm Castings: amzn.to/2mboTh8
Neem Oil: amzn.to/2ZgBDka
Rock Phosphate: amzn.to/2TJyE2L
Chapin Garden Sprayer: amzn.to/2KHld06
Garden Ties: amzn.to/2HgYk1H
Professional Weed Barrier: amzn.to/2Hhm7hM
Greenhouse Film: amzn.to/2KG3Ahj
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to come see us on:
Our Site: countrylivingexperience.com/
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Пікірлер: 195

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

ALL OF OUR SOLAR EQUIPMENT...CLICK HERE: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=countrylivingexperience

@heartofdixieprepping4797 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, this is exactly what I've been looking for. I can't go off grid but I'd like to have something for power outages from hurricanes and or tornadoes. I'm excited to see what you have. I'm in South Alabama.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help.

@larrymoore6640 2 жыл бұрын

Have you started your system yet???

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

@@larrymoore6640 Not sure if you are talking to me or the original poster. We have started and almost completed our system. We have 5 videos on our channel of the installation.

@mentalarson 2 жыл бұрын

Congratulations! I was just up at SignatureSolar Friday picking up a pallet of 395W Bi-Facial panels, Growatt inverters, etc. I'll use your code for future purchases to support a fellow Christian Texan. Thank you for showing the racking system. They showed me that out in the yard, but I already had a full load. We're building fully off grid from the ground up with as much DIY as possible. I'm waiting for my batteries and cabinet too. I'm looking forward to you whole series including mini-splits. It's exactly what we're doing, but without the grid-tied part of it.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I appreciate that. So cool y'all are doing the same thing right now.

@cooper1507 2 жыл бұрын

Its going to be so cool when farmers can use the sun to charge their tractors. Will save so much money in the grand scheme.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Very true

@markmeyer9571 2 жыл бұрын

And yes signature solar is an incredible company!!!

@lancealot4065 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to educate us so we feel confident to DIY. God bless.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. God bless you as well.

@CollegemomLynn 2 жыл бұрын

Great video❣❣ Also loved the diy root cellar video❣ I subscribed because of the content and the way you explain everything (teacher to teacher)❣

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad to have you here.

@arksonephimmasane5134 Ай бұрын

Great explaining and thank you for sharing

@CountryLivingExperience Ай бұрын

Thank you

@CarrieSmithOriginal 2 жыл бұрын

Dude. You are in my head. Have been spending so much time researching all of this then BAM! Here’s your video. Always excellent content and right on time. Thanks guys!

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I appreciate the kind words and I’m glad we could help.

@CarrieSmithOriginal 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience me too. Thanks again!

@mentalarson 2 жыл бұрын

I watched maybe a hundred solar system videos. This one caused me to rethink the plan. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l8p2etCA0aqxXY0.html And I rewatched the David Poz episodes showing the parallel Growatts and batteries to seal the deal. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bp99rKRo37bIiX0.html

@johnrollins6698 2 жыл бұрын

I am with you going off grid myself and working with Signature Solar and they are great.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! They are knowledgeable for sure.

@richarddietzen3137 Жыл бұрын

Watch this FIRST for introduction to home solar DIY especially if you’re close to Signature Solar. Most other guys start with the components instead of a current system design. Thanks, mate.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome

@benjones8977 2 жыл бұрын

Did mine last year, but I didn’t understand enough to get the 48 V system, so I have a 24 V one. But I learned a lot in the journey. If I upgrade it will definitely be to 48v.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. I keep learning everyday as well.

@thetwistedsisterme 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing...

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome

@evil17 Жыл бұрын

Good vid and a lot of great info. Cheers

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful

@marlon8429 7 ай бұрын

The mini split draws less energy because it produces less cooling. So your systems will be running longer if you take out your traditional split hvac system only to add a bunch of mini splits throughout the house to replace it. Mini splits are awesome for a master bed room only or just a room but to use mini splits to cool every room in your will cost you more money in energy

@CountryLivingExperience 7 ай бұрын

We have them. They are way cheaper.

@cathywco 2 жыл бұрын

Will be following this process. We’ve been looking for a good affordable system.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Cool. In my opinion, these components offer the highest value by far.

@benjamin2629 2 жыл бұрын

You look so happy talking about your solar setup, the way I would if I had one. Sadly in my country it is much more expensive to do a system so I will wait till it is affordable.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry it's so expensive there. Where do you live? The Growatt is sold all over the world and is very affordable here. Can you find that brand there?

@TheKiloG69 2 жыл бұрын

You're doing a great job of building that system. I'm loving those batteries you picked out. Very excited to see the price of the batteries dropping like crazy over the last few years. I had been living a hybrid solar life in FL.with a off grid and grid-tied system 10 years in Florida. I am now living totally off-grid in Tennessee will be 4 years this March It's a Wonderful Life. Congratulations on building your system properly from the get-go.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for sharing what you have done. We are very excited and looking forward to getting it all done and running.

@TheKiloG69 2 жыл бұрын

@Agent Smith same here oh what a feeling!

@outhereliving6809 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video. New subscriber here.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Welcome to the channel.

@JWTX 2 жыл бұрын

I took a trip to Signature Solar and got the exact same mini split. Can't wait to have it in use. But most likely won't install untill march. Aldo going to get yhe same inveryer and tge 48 volt Gyll batteries. Nice having them close. Looks as we both have very similar plans. Sorry you had to sacrifice the blueberry plants

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool! I think this is going to be a great system for sure. I am looking forward to getting it installed.

@brentjohnson6654 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. You mentioned Sulphur Springs, I live in Greenville countryside, just 40 minutes away! Does Signature Solar have good technical advice for someone interested in asking detailed questions?

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

You're welcome. They have a great tech department. They are extremely busy and it is sometimes hard to get them on the phone. I have some knowledge and may be able to help you. What are your questions?

@Chris_at_Home 2 жыл бұрын

This is the way for us to to get rid of many power plants. With solar and battery storage on site that the homeowner installed without some big power company involved is great. I went through the whole gambit of off grid power starting 20 years ago. I started out with just 12V for lights that I would charge with a generator every few days, I still use 12v lights. I mainly used it for LED lights. Then a got some more batteries and a 4K 48v inverter that was surplus from a company. I’d still had to run a generator every few days. 10 years ago when solar was still $3 a watt here in Alaska I bought 500 Watts of panels shipped from Az as it was about $1 a watt and with shipping was less expensive to buy from there. For our recreational cabin it works great except I use a lot of propane for the fridge, stove and RV water heater. More solar and batteries for an electric fridge may be in the future, but pushing 70 I may never see payback. I spent $500 on uninstrut to mount the panels.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

While I am a proponent of solar energy, I do have to question the lifecycle "green" nature of them. I have never seen a total comparison of the different forms of energy production. I.e. mining lithium pollution, solar cell production vs. nuclear, coal, nat gas

@Sparkeee1978 2 жыл бұрын

I have 6 of the same batteries, and they are amazing! signature solar was great to work with. I am running a Sol Ark 12K setup, with 36 ) 400 watt panels. great video, I will definitely be following your series!

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! The Solark was on my list too but I had to go with the Growatt.

@Jesussavesyouandme 2 жыл бұрын

What does it power?

@willowoodherbals 2 жыл бұрын

finally someone who is gonna run the whole system from start to finish.. using a power panel for ac using outlets.. and light switches.. as well as 48 volt system, grosolar.. and all,, will be going totally off grid in 2022, have been my desire to not go without electric completely using as few panels as I can, with 440 watts etc.. have been searching for 8 months in a small 300 sq feet in my small cabin, with some limited sun with shade, even though I live in the south in TN I do not use air conditioning nor use a dryer, plan on on demand hot water and rain containment, so I need that DIY without paying a major electrician to help.. That racking system though it looks sturdy..looks way heavy for me to handle or adjust, will be using a wood racking system so I can easily manage it

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Check out all of our videos in this series. I am not an electrician either but made sure I consulted with one just to be safe. Good luck with your off-grid homestead.

@FCspecial Жыл бұрын

I'm glad I found your video for solar, I just got a price for a system, $54,000 is way to much. And the financing is for 25Years!! Where I live in North Carolina is a rural area and I'm in a 2100 sq ft double wide. I get a lot of sun here all year round. My question is how to connect up so your excess electric goes out to the grid if that's what your planning to do? My electric company does have a solar program where they "credit" your electric bill for the electric you supply back. The quotes that I got for the solar don't include batteries as they said I didn't need them. With my electric use they said I needed 14.5 KW for my house. I'll keep watching as I am subscribed, thanks!

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I am off-grid. I have no connection to sell back to the grid. I do keep the grid connected to my house for additional backup in case of a prolonged storm or cloudy days. Those quotes seem a bit high but demand is increasing for solar. I wouldn't connect any system to my house that does not have battery backup. Also beware of a system configuration that does not allow your solar to work when the grid is down. I have about 25 videos on solar at this point. Check them all out for additional information.......kzfaq.info/sun/PLe8gvCbPFkexFmUtg3xRS4sTZQ1Ve-ft1

@dominicherrera3280 Жыл бұрын

Do you have any videos of you doing the wiring ?

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Yes. We have an entire playlist on our solar install. We show everything. kzfaq.infoplaylists

@Sanwizard1 2 жыл бұрын

Just use a soft start (micro air easy start) on your 3 ton HVAC and save the cost of the mini splits. A 3KW inverter will start your AC. My MPP LV6548's are 6.5KW, and cost just over a grand.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I understand a soft start may work but I prefer switching to the mini-splits because they are additionally much more efficient. They will be new while my 3 ton is at least 10 years old.

@resleem 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, it was really helpful. Question, what did the solar ground mount system cost you and where is the place out of Arizona that makes them?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. It was around $1200 for 5 columns and beams. I did pick it up so I didn’t have any shipping costs. Also, since signature solar uses to do installs, they had the racks in their warehouse. I am not sure if they are selling them to anyone who is not local. The company from AZ is Powers Solar Frames.

@bokchoy335 2 жыл бұрын

Signature Solar really doesn't appear to be selling the ground mounts. It's a shame. I could easily pay a $1000 in shipping and still have it be less than anyone else.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

@@bokchoy335 If you live close to them and you can pick them up, they will probably sell you one. Give them a call and ask for John. Tell them I sent you. My first name is Eric.

@JayDee25895 Жыл бұрын

yup

@Ealves0525 2 жыл бұрын

Rich information that I much needed. Thank you for your time 🙏🏽 the only problem is that I’m clueless when it comes to understanding electrical language 😂 but I was able to see on my bill that we use an average of 64 kWh a day. Does that mean your plan of 88kwh would be enough for us? Also do you have a video on how you switched the dryers, water heaters etc to propane? Looking forward to pull out of electricity as much as possible. Thank you again for your dedication and time.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Electricity is complicated (and dangerous) but you can do it. I have been asking and consulting with a friend who is an electrician and one who is an electrical engineer as well as the solar company to understand and connect everything safely. The kWh you are using is fairly high. Average per month in the US is 1200kwh. You are at about 1900kwh. My 8800kw array has the potential to produce on a perfect day about 85% of that. Some of that would go to battery and some to home consumption. You have to also know your average sun hours per day for your area. Mine is 4.5. There are a lot of online calculators to help you determine the system size. I have not done a video on switching out the appliances yet.

@tamorazana Жыл бұрын

switching the appliances to propane would be to just replace the electric ones with propane ones.

@mrfixit5404 2 жыл бұрын

Any thoughts on mitigation for hail damage? Is the install angle enough to deflect the force?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

These panels can withstand 1" hail. They use gorilla glass on these now. Extremely tough.

@miketravis3961 2 жыл бұрын

hi, do you know what the PV panels natural enemy is? grass fires! you should plan to mitigate this risk.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Solid point. I have fire plans in place.

@eric8841 2 жыл бұрын

Wearing a trash spartin hat but that nice Michigan blue. GO BLUE. peace and wholeness fam

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

LOL! Go Green! How did that loss feel two weeks ago?

@lugo2214 2 жыл бұрын

Is the mini split heat pump a DIY? Can you do Preasure treated wood for the panel rack?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the mini-split is a DIY. I priced out lumber for the rack and it was expensive. I just guessed at what I needed without engineering it but I think I was close.

@lugo2214 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience ty for taking the time to reply Watching your progress as I get ready to develop a 5 acre homestead west of Gainsville Fl

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Cool. Good to have you here.

@flowerlightfamilyfarms596 2 жыл бұрын

Great content, thanks for sharing. Have you looked into solar water heaters? Heating water takes a lot of energy. Just curious why it is not common in Tx/USA?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! What type of solar water heater? Direct PV or vacuum tubes?

@flowerlightfamilyfarms596 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Direct PV.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

@@flowerlightfamilyfarms596 I looked into that but was unconvinced that the cost would be justified if I already had a whole house solar system.

@flowerlightfamilyfarms596 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience ok thanks!

@sethtaylorm925 2 жыл бұрын

I'm completely off grid, and we use a heat pump water heater, it only uses 600 watts, I also have 6 panels of vacuum tube hot water solar panels, that we use to heat our home with radiant floor heating.

@optionstrader9637 Жыл бұрын

Im unable to find the groundmount you went with do you have a link to it by chance? Thanks

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

We did get ours from Signature Solar but unfortunately they do not have any more. Thiis is the company that manufactures them.....powerssolarframes.com/

@optionstrader9637 Жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience I figured that was the case thanks for the response

@6jefes948 Жыл бұрын

This video brought to you by Signature Solar.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Well, I happen to live by them and they had great prices…..so.

@6jefes948 Жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience It’s all good. I’ve heard nothing but good about them and plan on going that route myself.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Cool

@alysafleisher 2 жыл бұрын

This is insane, moving to gas in order to not use electricity is just crazy. Propane is harder to procure, more expensive, especially now in 2021 and is worse for the environment. Great for backup to batteries though. Mini splits yes are great and heat pumps are more efficient too. There are heat pump water heaters also that are truly efficient. The most efficient gas water heater is still only a UEF of .93 where a heat pump water heater is 4.0 and uses much less electricity. I moved off of natural gas which is cheaper than propane and saved a ton of money. I have solar and didn't pay anything close to these numbers and I am in a market that is priced much higher than most states.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Apparently you don't understand the value in diversifying energy sources or the cost of a solar system that will power large loads like an electric range. Your criticism is what is insane.

@alysafleisher 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience no I totally get the value in diversification of energy sources completely and actually originally went that route myself, the time before the last one. I disagree after experience with standard electric water heaters, gas water heaters both natural and propane, solar DHW and hybrid water heaters that gas is the most effective means available currently. I have done this every single way possible over the years, every single one of them have I now installed. I am not saying having some onsite gas service is not of value and I do feel there is some advantage to it. I currently still use it for cooking at a super high cost since I would have to change my cooktop out, which is an even higher cost. I am saying the efficiency means gained by hybrid is so great that it is a superior option and that I felt the cost difference makes gas a insane option for this function since it's more than 4 times less efficient. Take care.

@onodacops 2 жыл бұрын

How did you calculate the size of the battery bank needed? I'm going with a grid tie system to provide 3 days of electricity for lights, fans, fridge. Not looking to power the heat pump. Simply add up the wattage from the devices that I want to run and covert to amp hours? Thanks

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

General rule of thumb is get as many batteries as you can. That being said, you are going to need to do your load calculations for everything you want to run for those 3 days. There are many online calculators that help you to do that. What voltage is your system? What type of batteries? Lithium Sizing 10kWh x 1.2 (for 80% depth of discharge) x 1.05 (inefficiency factor) = 12.6 kWh For Lithium, 12.6 kWh is equal to: 1,050 amp hours at 12 volts 525 amp hours at 24 volts 262.5 amp hours at 48 volts

@Elemblue2 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing the 2 year hunt so we dont have too.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

You're welcome

@DStein-jn9ls 2 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh…we are looking at doing what you have done. Watched your other video about parts and costs. We’ll be driving to Signature Solar to pick up everything. Thanks for your videos!

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! You're welcome.

@robertschaefer7200 2 жыл бұрын

A 20-minute advertisement for Signature Solar.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

No, I think they have great products at great prices, they are close to me, and that is who I purchased my equipment from. What’s the problem?

@robertschaefer7200 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience were you compensated, given a discount, or otherwise remunerated by Signature Solar?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

No. Not for this video.

@amandathrasher1110 Жыл бұрын

I’ve thought seriously about switching some items to propane, but from a self-sufficient standpoint, it doesn’t make sense. What are you going to do if you cannot get propane? Or let’s say since the push of electric vehicles are just gaining momentum, what are you going to do when those in governmental power jack the price of propane up or when we are cut off from oil and gas producing companies in other countries and those same powers restrict drilling on native wells? I think I will still aim for full solar.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

I have a 1000 gallon propane tank. If I just use my stove and oven, it will take me 18 years to use that much. The rest of my house is solar.

@forester057 10 ай бұрын

It’s always about the AC and Heat when you’re looking at what is draining your wallet. How long til you break even on all those investments when comparing to the cost of being on the grid. Yes there are good reasons to be self sufficient (SHTF events and black outs as more people adopt EVs - it’s going to be bad) but does this setup pay for itself or not? Gotta include the cost of the mini splits since the dinosaur AC can’t be run.

@CountryLivingExperience 10 ай бұрын

I have done numerous videos addressing every issue you mentioned. My payoff is 4.5 years with my current electric rate. Call it 5 with mini splits

@sethhewett2171 2 жыл бұрын

Hey can you drop a link to the mini split. I went on their website and only see a 23 seer

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Sure. Can you use the this link....www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=countrylivingexperience to get to the site and then go to the Shop All drop down menu, then Mini-spits & HVAC, then 9000btu-mini-split.

@sethhewett2171 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

@davidburkhart9184 2 жыл бұрын

I have a question for you, if you install a system smaller and add more to it down the road for a grid tie system I don’t think the power company will allow it without a permit and all the other stuff that comes with that every time you do anything to the array , so did they question that on yours?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I am off grid so I don't have to inform the power company about anything.

@BuildingHisHouse 10 ай бұрын

I can’t find pricing anywhere on your powers ground mount system. What did it cost you?

@CountryLivingExperience 10 ай бұрын

I paid $1200.

@BuildingHisHouse 10 ай бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience that’s cheap!

@MinhTrinh918 Жыл бұрын

I dont see link for the rack, please share

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

The rack is no longer available from Signature Solar. The company who manufactures them is here.....powerssolarframes.com/

@lewisgates8861 2 жыл бұрын

I have signature solar designing a system now..... I'm just east of them hour and a half.....what all are you running with your system...

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! We have 20 440w SolarEver panels, 2 Growatt 5000ES Off Grid Inverters, and 5 Eg4-LL batteries. Working well so far.

@GoatZilla 2 жыл бұрын

That Solaredge midpoint transformer will only do 5k VA, so what would be the point of adding more Growatt inverters in parallel?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

It can handle up to 3 inverters. Watch this from Signature Solar explaining the process....kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hLyefct33amqeKs.html

@GoatZilla 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience OK I watched the vid. If you're using only 240v devices, you're not even pulling from the midpoint so in that case you can parallel a bunch of inverters, mostly because you're not using the midpoint at all. However if you are pulling from the legs individually (i.e. designed your home with all 120v devices) you will need to parallel the midpoint transformers as well as inverters.

@BedsitBob 2 жыл бұрын

What frequency are the inverters outputting?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

The AC charging portion has a 50Hz/60Hz frequency range.

@juliekraft4102 2 жыл бұрын

What do you estimate the total cost of equipment for the DYI option? I would still need to hire someone to install because of my age and capabilities,but it may still be doable if the savings was great enough.🥴

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I will do a whole video on costs in the near future that will be more accurate. But a ballpark figure for this system is $14500 (DIY, no shipping costs). That includes all the extras that I purchased like wire, breakers, load center (main panel), etc. I will have 8.8kw of panel production, 300Ah of Lithium battery storage, and 10kw of inverting power. I am not sure how much someone would charge you to hook it all up. Hope that helps.

@cyruscampbell8361 2 жыл бұрын

Just found your Chanel are you going to be tied to the grid so the power company pays you for extra power you generate?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome. No, we are off-grid. We still have a grid connection but switch over to the solar like a generator.

@reggiet1970 Жыл бұрын

I live in Arizona and I want a DIY system so I can get off grid solar, I have an electrician friend that can help connect to the grid but I am wanderring how that will play with my current utility company or should I not worry about that?

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

In many States, you can do an off-grid system. It is technically just like a generator. If you do that, you may not even have to inform your power company. Research what you need to do for your specific area. Watch our other videos on solar to see how we connected ours.

@ironleatherwood1357 2 жыл бұрын

Great job! Are you going fully off Grid? We lived off grid for three seasons and loved it. We both work full time and where falling behind, back on grid.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It will be an off grid system but we will be able to switch back to the grid. We will keep our service but just run off solar most of the time. Going to use a generator interlock kit on the main panel and run the power in from the sub panel to a big 90 amp breaker.

@thstrader 2 жыл бұрын

Where are yall located? We are about 2 hrs from that signature solar too!

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

We are near Tyler.

@salathielledezma2724 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Small world! I'm practically almost half way between your location and Signature Solar. Twenty two miles from Signature's Warehouse/Store to be exact. Been wanted to visit them and check on their line of products since their previous location in Brashear Texas. Not done yet; Power from the sun was always incredible intriguing since my school days. I started collecting few solar related items with the interest of ditching the electric power company at least partially. Programming the equipment, and mainly How to feed the solar power on to the house main breaker panel without interfering with the Power Grid might be my biggest challenges yet. So yeah; how can I run half of my home on solar and the big power consumers (water heather, dryer, range/oven, and hvac,) still sucking power from the grid and everything is connected together in the main breaker panel.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

@@salathielledezma2724 Glad you live so close to them. It makes picking up components really easy. You may want to consult with an electrician on your question. To split the power would be a challenge. Why complicate it like that?

@LISSY22777 Жыл бұрын

What is the difference between an inverter and a split inverter?

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

A split phase inverter will automatically handle both 120v and 240v loads. A single phase inverter will only power 120v loads.

@marezey Жыл бұрын

pardon my lack of knowledge on solar but how does signature solar differ from the panels the govt is offering for free? I live in SoCal and get hounded constantly by solar companies to install a system.

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

I have never looked into any government program. Nothing is "free". Government is taxpayer funded. I prefer to do things myself on my dime. The panels themselves would be no different accept they would be from another manufacturer.

@electromechanicalstuff2602 Жыл бұрын

Just subbed. What state are you in I see the hat. Was a wolverine fan but no longer interested in sports. I'm in Michigan. Have 12kw of panels. 20kwh or diy lithium. 6kw inverter mpp lv6048. All diy. I'm powering my whole house minus condensers. I need way more battery from what I can tell and a second inverter

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

Thank you. We are in Texas. I grew up in Michigan and did my undergrad at State. Glad you have your system set up so that you can expand it. You do need a lot more battery it sounds like. It is hard to get through a night with the AC on and just a few batts but it all depends on your loads. Go Green!

@electromechanicalstuff2602 Жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience my ac is on grid. Everything else is off grid. What's using up the battery is I have two large deep freezers, two stand up refrigerators, two mini fridges and two dehumidifiers. Like I've heard you say I'm not about the green. I'm about control of my own energy. Not depending on the collapsing grid. Many argue the mining for the minerals in 3rd world countries without an EPA is far more damaging to the planet than mining oil in the USA. I was curious if you where also in Michigan I could maybe see how you did in the winter months. Right now my batteries are fully charged by noon on a sunny day and 4 on a real cloudy day. So I'm hoping with 3* more battery I'll be able to stay off grid everyday and the batteries will carry me over to prevent the inverters switching to bypass and pulling from the grid. Edit Go green as in Michigan state. Lol Normally I'd say go blue. But now I'm saying go the awaken who see what's happening in the worl

@CountryLivingExperience Жыл бұрын

@@electromechanicalstuff2602 The more batteries the better for sure.

@BedsitBob 2 жыл бұрын

What I need for my Solar System? Let's start with 8 planets. 😁

@babybalrog 2 жыл бұрын

Considering your home still gets a decent amount of sun on part of the roof, and you are petty handy, have you considered a solar hot water system? usually only one or two panels aer needed, much less roof space, and they work in far more accommodative conditions than PV systems. Yes it only takes one system off the loan, but as you said hot water is a big one. And a more advanced step could be radiant heat.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I thought about it at one point. What do you do at night when you need how water though. We all shower at night. Do dishes at night, etc.

@babybalrog 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Solar hot water systems are not instant hot water systems like a tankless water heater. They are in fact tanked water heating system. They system, with a small pump, circulates the water all day and stores it in your hot water tank (an old / broken hot water heater makes a good one, but more efficient ones can be found that are dedicated). Because these tanks are insulated, it stays hot for a long period of time. I have heard two weeks, but only from a friend. Any time you use hot water, you are pulling from the tank. Until the tank empties. So as long as you arn't going through an entire tank each night, you can be ok. Or install a second tank. These systems can also be designed as a tie in to your current hot water system. So you get the best of both worlds. I think something like Tank A being the normal tank, Tank B being the reserve/solar tank. When A is drawn down it gets water from B, simply by being up line of it. If B is heated from the sun, then the thermostat in A wont trigger the need to kick in to heating element and warm that water. B refills with normal cold water. But the next day, water from B is pumped into the solar collector, it is heated up. Then stored and waits for A to discharge and need replenishment. Theoretically A never has to turn on it's element with good use management, but can if B has run out of hot water and is just passing cold water through. I think tank B has a thermostat, and any time it gets below X it pumps water into the collector. This could be identical to the thermostat in a normal hot water tank, or one designed to also trigger if it's day out. We have left the realm of my expertise. This can all be done with one tank too. Just adding a second heating element which is Solar to the existing electric/gas one.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I know all of that. Have been researching it for years. I determined for our lifestyle, it would not work even know I like the concept.

@babybalrog 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Yea it's not perfect for an off grid system, but works best as a supplement for existing hot water systems. And if someone is reliant on gas for hot water instead of electricity. It can help stretch supplies if worst comes to worst and deliveries get interrupted. But of course electric heater + PV solves that too. And then again, just because it "can" save you energy, it still cost time to set up, and it looks like you have plenty of other things to keep you busy for now.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

@@babybalrog I sure do. I am actually a bit overwhelmed right now. I have about 7 projects sitting half done....lol.

@skipbaldwin7945 2 жыл бұрын

Where are you located at

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

East Texas

@bearchow1929 2 жыл бұрын

Growatt SPF5000 is a "transformerless" inverter. It has a failure mode where it can output high power DC into your home power system causing much destruction. But then, maybe it won't fail.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Never heard that. Never seen the testing on that. Never heard of anyone with any problems.

@bearchow1929 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience There will be a paper on it published in January.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

By whom?

@redhilllabs3245 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience Me

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

@@redhilllabs3245 Ok, me. I am always interested in new information that will save me a headache. Are you an electrical engineer?

@acefire4050 Жыл бұрын

Wow you have a small wrench yeah I got bigger . and smaller

@willbass2869 2 жыл бұрын

Greetings, I subbed recently and have been viewing a few past vids. I too, at one time, thought switching from electric to propane for cooking (just cooking) was a no brainer best choice. However, I see these "induction top" stove tops and I wonder if maybe electric might be a better choice. One really big issue is that I, like you, am in Texas but farther south....much farther, so the issue of really high persistent humidity is an issue. The one big selling point is that induction (or really any electric) doesn't give off water vapor the way propane and NG do. Since I do a lot of cooking/canning it's just a killer with the water vapor. I know my conventional A/C can't even keep up with dehumidifying. Seems like any savings from propane stove gets eaten up running A/C longer so as to dump the humidity. Do you have any insight on the trade off involved with induction stoves versus propane? Not really price comparing of the stoves themselves but strictly energy usage and indoor air quality/comfort? Many thanks

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Hello. I had the propane installed before my solar equipment arrived. I had heard about induction but not too much. I did some initial research and felt that $2500 for an induction stove was too much. That being said, I have never had an issue with humidity from propane (while living in other states too). I have friends and neighbors with propane and nat gas and none of them have ever had an issue either. Sorry, since I have not had these issues, I can't really give you a good answer.

@willbass2869 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience maybe I should just keep the lid on the pots & pans while cooking instead of peeking "for a taste" to decrease all that water vapor 😋 Thanks

@evil17 Жыл бұрын

@@willbass2869I think ur right that maybe a lot of ur water vapour is coming off from ur cooking,but I think a certain amount of water vapour is going to have to escape as a part of the cooking process anyhow. Sounds like a ventilation issue, do you have a decent range hood to help vent the vapours outside that ur generating inside?

@mikerichards6311 2 жыл бұрын

👍

@andrzejhajder6405 2 жыл бұрын

What is the ac system at 38SEER ?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

A mini-split system. Very efficient and good for solar.

@andrzejhajder6405 2 жыл бұрын

@@CountryLivingExperience what's it's brand. Where I can buy it.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

It is made by InnovAir. You can buy it here: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=countrylivingexperience

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You can find the mini-split here: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=countrylivingexperience Just look for 9000BTU Mini-Split by InnovAir

@cooper1507 2 жыл бұрын

Now link up some bitcoin miners to the badboyssssss

@westking7746 2 жыл бұрын

You will think this strange, but your dog needs something to herd. That is the trouble with having a genetically bread animal. Even though it was several hundred feet away, I could see it going crazy over you right shoulder during your concluding speech. I am willing to bet that it is at least part border collie. It is interesting, and amusing, how it keeps appearing and disappearing. Great video by the way. I am just starting to view your series. Will you be covering the math and cable/wire/protection selection in order to show the physics behind why you made choices in those areas?

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

It is not strange. He is full border collie. He does need something to herd. He herds the chickens and my kids normally. I do mention some of the subjects on solar that you are asking about. Most of the info is directly from the solar company. I am not sure what you are looking for specifically.

@stanleybest8833 2 жыл бұрын

More smart than many, but please don't call this the low cost complete system. There's a lot of matching luggage here, and size and standby draw is enormous.

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Comparative to systems of this size, this is low cost. Comparative to my power needs, this is low cost.

@inoutelectricalspecialists6053 2 жыл бұрын

Growatt are Chinese not European

@CountryLivingExperience 2 жыл бұрын

No kidding

@inoutelectricalspecialists6053 2 жыл бұрын

No Kid

@acefire4050 Жыл бұрын

I won't have gas everything is electric in my house I'm going to keep everything electric I just going to take me forever to get all the solar panels I need and all the inverters I'm going to need and all the batteries I'm going to need but I did start I do get some things I got the wrong batteries they work they will work for 20 some years I just got to get more batteries but they're the wrong system batteries cuz everybody not for solar panels but I don't have a real system yet just 2,600 some Watts and boy did that cost money. And I did spread it out between years to get the solar panels like 20 some years my first solar panels are still working still give me the same Watts of course if you take care of yourself take care of the connections take care of everything take care of your battery take care of your inverter they do seem to last they still seem to do just as well as the day I got them and that's good and they help me save money to buy more panels maybe one of these days to buy a real system boy that is way too much money that just costly maybe another 100 years I can afford a system but I got to start somewhere. I started small and then it added to it and add it to it and add it to it and it's still small and still added to it and it's still small and too small to run my house but it does run a camper and a light and a TV and a DVD player and a VHS and game system new and old and charges a couple phones and runs the internet or the computer that has the internet and my daughter's computer as well as my computer that's all it runs because I don't have enough solar panels turn everything but big enough smell the panels I know maybe you need a 10,000 watt solar panel maybe a hundred of them I don't know.