Solar Back Up/Off Grid Setups

[foolinwfire]

I'm starting to look into a battery back up / off grid setup for my house. The reason for this is I work with large capacity AGM batteries and have my hands on a few batteries already. Everybody knows that this is the most expensive part of these systems, guess I'm a bit lucky here. I have 4 gently used Discover EVGT6A-A 6 volt batteries, US Battery 12V145 AGM brand new, Discover 12V 140A EV12A-A (1/2 life) and an assortment of 6 - 12 volt wet lead acid batteries. I'm thinking of selling some batteries, buying a 3000 watt pure sine cheap Amazon ($299.00) inverter and a 200 watt panel and charge controller combo ($229.00, Amazon) to try and get started. One question I have is anyone ever have any issues with this with their town's building dept? If I put two panels not permanently mounted on my porch roof is it legal? Curious if anyone has done this and has had any issues.

 

[vanderblack]

I have a few panels I mounted on my porch roof. No one has ever said a thing. In Ulster, I believe the only time you would have an issue is if you went to sell the house with the panels and the town had a building permit requirement to install them in the first place. If you were to remove them when you went to sell the house, no problem. Different towns/counties may be different. I have a hot tub I installed. It was an older tub that I do not plan on selling with the house. I did not see if a permit was needed but plan to remove it before we sell. Have not had an issue in the past 10 years. The building inspector has been to the house for other projects and never questioned anything. You can always install them and if it becomes an issue, simply say you didn't know and apply for a permit after the fact. If they are properly installed, no problem. If you need to make a modification to be in compliance, so be it.

 

[pjzwtl]

Something to keep in mind when installing solar on your roof which a lot of folks do not think about is it could depending on the location and size of the array hamper efforts to extinguish a fire if your unfortunate enough to have one especially if it is a DIY job. Since there is a shock hazard even after the grid power to the structure has been terminated it can slow efforts due to the increased hazard to the FF especially involving roof venting and unknown battery bank set ups and wire routing. Even at night the flood lights set up on the scene will cause the panels to produce enough voltage to be a concern.

Just something to think about..

 

[togmaster]

Do it. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

 

[ImpeachObama]

The more batteries and bigger the battery bank, the greater the need you have for a bigger solar array. You have to decide if you are doing a 12v or 24v system and buy your inverter accordingly. You need a charge controller between the solar panels and batteries. A 3000 watt inverter is going to run your battery bank to depleted mode pretty quick unless you can at least double your panels at a minimum. And that will give you 15-30 minutes depending on load is my guess. Lots of variables.

 

[Jackalope]

A couple of things.... don't mix types and different capacities of batteries. Additionally, the batteries should all be of the same age. I like putting panels close to the ground, so I can brush the snow off of them. Roof mounted panels make it difficult to clean them. There are some 100 watt panels on eBay for $100, which is a decent deal. Every town is going to have different requirements, where I live, I put panels up and no one says anything. Read the 2017 NEC electrical code for solar set-ups, it'll give you guidance for a safe installation.

 

[Jmac00]

these are the panels I installed on BOL in the Adirondacks. These add up to 606 watts, they go to a 45amp Morningstar MPPT Charge controller, the charge controller, charges four 6v deep cycle Golf cart batteries (in a series/parallel circuit putting out 12v)
The batteries are connected to a 1500watt (obsolete) inverter. These batteries do ONE THING (for now) and thats the lighting circuit to the cabin. The stove and refrigerator are propane, the water heater is a EZ-Tankless. It runs off propane and is fired off two *D* cell batteries (at this point it wasn't completed, but all it needs is PLG and two batteries)