A Cabin in the Forest by Roxyann Spanfelner

Author:Roxyann Spanfelner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510771871
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Our new Honda EU2200 generator, pictured at our home.

7. Building a Basic Off-Grid System

While living off-grid may change your lifestyle, the transition can be seamless if you do some upfront planning, such as being aware of the power you and your family are currently consuming. That is as easy as checking your monthly utility bills. Also, be aware that some appliances, such as an air-conditioning unit (which needs a generator to handle the start load), require more power to run. Other than that, a generator should really only be necessary to boost your battery bank in the short days of winter and also under extended cloud cover conditions. A good-sized system of solar panels will mitigate the need to burn fuel in your generator as the more energy brought in through the system each day, the merrier it will be, showing “Full” on your monitoring device for a longer period of time—in particular, in winter and spring. This also extends battery life, as when the batteries hold a charge longer (above 80 percent), they retain a cycle. See a detailed explanation of cycles and battery life in my HOW TO BUILD THE PERFECT OFF-GRID HOME, Let the Sun Rain Down on Your Solar (Second Edition).

How a Solar System Works Off-Grid

A photo-voltaic (PV) system consists of panels that convert sunlight into electricity, a charge controller to prevent the batteries from overcharging, a set of batteries to store the electricity for when the sun is not shining, and an inverter to flip the low-voltage DC (battery voltage) into 120 volts AC house current.

Solar Panels (PV)

There are many ways to mount solar panels. Some of these methods may include fixed on your roof, fixed on the ground, fixed on pole mounts, or pole-mounted tracking arrays. Mounting your panels on the roof makes sense from a security, stealth, and convenience standpoint, and can lower roof temperatures in hot climates, but is inconvenient in snow country. Panel angle needs seasonal adjustment for best collection. According to AltEnergyMag.com, consider the size of a 200-watt panel when weighing the mounting location options: It is approximately 60 inches x 40 inches x 1.5 inches, and weighs about forty pounds.

CHARGE CONTROLLER

The solar panels can only do their duty after they’re wired to a charge controller, which feeds batteries the proper electric dosage, at a rate they can handle. It also ensures a longer battery life. In the past, grouping of components revolved around a 12v solar panel, a 12v charge controller, and a 12v battery. Now it is common to see a more efficient series string of panels running at a higher voltage (at least 20v higher than battery voltage), a special MPPT controller, and the 12v battery pack. The MPPT controller can match optimal panels to batteries’ performance, allowing up to a 30 percent power increase according to AltEnergyMag.com, without needing more panels.

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