Hi from Toronto

[skye]

Hi. Just joined. We purchased an off the grid cottage last October, now I want to update it with solar and water, and I have a lot of questions.
Can I do a moderate solar install myself, where do I get the supplies for a good price, what do I really need (weekends in spring, all summer, weekends in fall usage, probably around 1500 to 2000 watts/day, what about microinverters versus one big inverter????
I've read books, internet, watched DVD's on this, still feel like I don't know enough to start. Also feel like the solar industry itself is a lot of fly by nighters and snake oil salesman.
any advice is appreciated
Thanks
Skye

[Mike90250]

for solar to be price effective, you need to use it most of the year, or it's just $$ that you spent, just sitting.
Solar power is several times the cost of grid power, when you add in the storage batteries, all the electronics, and such.

[skye]

Thanks but,...

Thanks for the info, however we're on our own island, and I had Hydro come out and give me a best case scenario of $27,000 for hook up.
I figure for what I need in solar it'll cost around $10,000.
Currently were all propane (lights, heat, fridge, stove)
Any thoughts?

[Mike90250]

Thanks for the info, however we're on our own island, and I had Hydro come out and give me a best case scenario of $27,000 for hook up.
I figure for what I need in solar it'll cost around $10,000.
Currently were all propane (lights, heat, fridge, stove)
Any thoughts?

All heating should be done with propane / wood

Converting your fridge to solar, will need an Energy Star fridge, and another 1,300W of panels. (save the $ from not buying a tiny sunfrost, and buy PV panels.)

What do you plan for security when you are not there? (panel theft)

1 inverter, or 3 micro inverters, your decision, 1 large inverter simplifies things, no need to run extension cords all over, but you pay for higher standby losses. (40W 24/7 = about 7KW week)

You will need a backup genset, maybe get a small honda EU2000 style with propane adapter kit, and a battery charger.

System voltage, I'd suggest 48V, built up from 6v golf cart batteries, less troubles with batteries in series, than in parallel

[skye]

Theft of Panels?

Wow, are you kidding me? These things weigh 30 to 40 lbs up thirty feet on a roof, bolted in, and we're on an island. That would take something to get them off. I would of loved to hook up to the grid, would've solved a lot of issues, but my only option is solar now, I think. I'm looking at 4 panels (800 watts) into a 24 volt system with an inverter and a DC shunt for a 24 volt submersible water pump. Maybe it pumps to a holding tank which at 30 feet will give me around 15psi. 8 6volt batteries will give me the storage capacity to run flo 15 lights and the sat tv/dvd and some small appliances.
Where's the best place to shop?
Thx
Skye

[Mike90250]

SunElec.com in Florida has good prices, but shipping is a killer. Maybe someone local has better ideas.

I don't understand what you are going to use a DC shunt for?
Are you pumping water from a well, is the pump submerged or above the water?

[muskrat]

heavy on batteries light on panels

I've had a similar situation with a farm house in the country.I went with a system heavy on batteries but light on panels. The panels charge all week and the batteries are enough to carry me through the weekend.This only works if there is no weekday load at all and you can shut the system completely off.This turned out to be cost effective for me due to a $20 per month minimum bill to keep the power hooked up.The batteries hold up a long time due too a minimal amount of cycling. A good charge controller is a must! An island might be a good place for a small windmill.Except for battery replacement this system has run with minimal maintenance for over 25 years. Theft has been a problem not for the roof mounted panels but for the batteries.I believe sun electric allows local pickup if you want an excuse to visit Florida or Arizona.

[skye]

24 volt or 48?

So I think I'll DC shunt to run a submersible 24 volt water pump. Mainly because they don't use a lot of wattage. However an AC pump will give you good PSI, but requires a large inverter to handle the spike when it kicks in.
Not sure what the best option is, any thoughts?

[energytightwad]

Skye,
Florida has good prices that is true but let me suggest AltEstore in Massachusetts. Its closer and the prices are fair to good. I pick something I want then start with one online store write down price and shipping. then go to the next online store. again write things down and compare. I keep going till I get the lowest total.
Good Luck
Ray

[Mike90250]

So I think I'll DC shunt to run a submersible 24 volt water pump. Mainly because they don't use a lot of wattage. However an AC pump will give you good PSI, but requires a large inverter to handle the spike when it kicks in.
Not sure what the best option is, any thoughts?

A "shunt" is a piece of calibrated conductor, to make measurements of Amps with. Or a piece of wire to bypass something. I have no idea of what you intend to do with the shunt device.

How deep is the water you are trying to pump? Do you have a pressure tank, or a large above ground storage tank?

[skye]

DC shunt

I'm still trying to figure out whats better, DC water supply or AC. With DC I would be pumping from a submersible about 15 ft down, up about 15 ft of shore, maybe 30 -40 ft total. I would like running water, I know if I want pressure I need a tank or compressor, but if I go AC I need a fairly decent inverter to handle the surge.
Still trying to plan. If I'm running an AC I might be able to shunt of the battery to run a DC pump (and not surging the system)
thanks

[coffeepodman]

love to help

There is a company in southwestern Ontario selling solar and alternative heating ... Company is GRAIN STOVES INC / GREEN ZONE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

they sell Sentinel / Enphase systems .... wind systems --- grain and pellet stoves etc .... nice people ask for chris

[skye]

Cottage Water Supply

Thanks for the listing. Anyone else have contacts or companies that specialize in off grid water supply systems, either AC or DC? Anyone out there have a DC system or tried it and went AC, and can offer their wisdom?
Thanks
Skye