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Grid tie systems will not benefit you if the power goes down, correct.
Systems can be configured to provide power during the day, if the grid is down!
A grid tie inverter is helpful if you have a generator. Make sure you has a low harmonic distortion. Below 10%, if you have one of those generators that produces a modified sine wave or square wave, then gridtie inverter will wreck havoc if connected.
Most of the solar installers out there do not inform there customers about switching off the grid with battery backup.
An excellent discussion and recommendations!
I have had a small solar back up system for forty years. It was used for lighting during the common power outages. Over the last five years I have expanded the system to nearly 3KW peak, with about 3500AH in batteries plus a 3KW sine wave inverter!
It is enough power for regeneration, freezers, communication, washer and of course lighting, no air conditioning yet!
I put in the system, it is very simple and works great!
About ten years ago my above ground wires were hit by lightning. Only light bulbs were damaged, if I had an inverter at the time I am sure it would have been damaged. I have since buried my lines and have surge supressers and RFI on the panels for EMP.
As my expanded system is several hundred feet from the house and batteries, I was experiencing significant line loss!! At 12V the line resistance is relatively ten times greater, fortunatly new PV panels are near 20V, reducing these losses. None the less I recomnd 12V power lines be five to ten times the current capacity of the system if you are going more than fifty feet. This is costly, but very helpful!
PV solar systems are very simple to install and operate, you can start small and expand. Even a very small system at a couple of hundred watts can give you lights during a power outage! The prices on panels are still cheap at $1 per watt, the batteries are high and getting higher with inflation, get them now!
Part of the reason for the expansion, is I am retired and on SS. I suspect electricity will become too expensive for us, in the future, even if the center holds together!
Follow the chart for voltage drop per foot on conductor and do your workup calcs from there as Lawnmore discovered.
I would suggest, read a book…
Or search The Sale of Saint Einstein. Want to heat water, great idea. Want to generate electricity, PV is a con job to promote the greatest con-artist. And no, I’m not ref to Maxwell.
I am not a supporter of the move to green energy. None the less it works for me during power outages.
Solar is *not* “green”. The total power consumed in their manufacture, from raw ore to final product is more than they are expected to produce in their lifetime. However, solar *is* a source of independance, and most of the actual cost is presently subsidized by government, so they make very good sense for being independant. Batteries are the weak link, not just expensive, but short lived in actual use. Research the various chemistries, lead-acid, Lithium-Ion (Lion), Lithium-Iron (LiFe), Lithium phosphate (LiPo), Nickle-Iron (NiFe), and choose wisely, if you can still get them.
That is why I am not a supporter of solar (green) energy, it isn’t really green. You are also correct about the battery problems, none the less that is what we have.
I do try to stay above 12.3V and normally run them (lead acid) down to only 12.45V. Normally I can go for three days of bad weather, before going to 12.3V. I have been getting 5+ years out of my batteries. My oldest panels are ARCO at 40 years, only producing
80 % but still going.
One of the real important advantages of solar for preppers is the ability to recharge electric chain saws, so you can quietly cut wood! Storing gas beyond three years for saws is a problem even with a stabalizer.
80% at 40 years? That’s far better than I’d hoped for! Great news!
We have been living strictly off solar since we moved off grid years ago. We have two full size refrigerators two freezers and washer and dryer. It requires us to be efficient and think about our power usage. Some winter days it gets a little tight but that’s an inconvienence we are willing to live with in order to live far from the hordes. We don’t miss anything the city has to offer. Best of luck and God Bless to all you freedom loving prepares.
Generally speaking, from my point of view and experience only, is that green energy systems, solar, windmill, whatever, is more expensive than grid power. None of them are “green”, requiring more fossil fueled nonrenewable resource input to produce than most grid systems.
Grid tied systems are set up to kick in when the grid is unavailable or down. They are generally backed up with batteries or instant start generators.
My system is no grid available at all due to prohibitive cost considerations. It runs off Battery banks recharged by solar soon to be augmented with wind,(which rarely blows). My life style doesn’t require a lot of electricity and when I do require more (welding, air compressor, power tools, etc.) I am reliant on a generator. I survive just fine on a 3500 watt system. Off grid is suitable for certain situations in certain areas, but not all. If you have the finances and ability, go with power form the grid. BUT Do Not Become Dependent upon it solely. As your father & grandfather should have taught you: What’s your back up plan?
Meaning, when that high faultin, highly praised college degree fails to get you a paying job. What are ya gonna do for an income? How are ya gonna survive? Question that can only be answered by the ability to instill that thing called “Critical Thinking”. But thats another stooooory eh! Suns out, gotta go. Winters a comin.
I live on a south facing ridge at about 1400′, in 2019 I put in a 400W wind generator to augment my solar during bad weather. The trees have been cleared to 75′, with a clear view to the south. I have yet to get more than a couple of dozen watts out of it! It may work for some, but not here in NW AR!
We designed our own system. We have full solar with grid augment; we can throw a switch and be totally disconnected from the grid, or we can have the grid augment our solar automatically if need be. We do not sell electricity to the power company. When the grid is down, we do not go down. We also have generator backup. It can be done.
Yes, easy peasy.
Have you used only equipment listed by UL (e.g. UL 1741) for the purpose? If not, good luck getting insurance to pay for fire damage to your property caused by the installed equipment. I looked at this for standby / backup use and discovered that counties enforce UL requirements for installed electrical equipment.
Good luck finding energy storage batteries that are UL listed for residential use.
Keep your batteries in an outside shed, with the inverter, near the panels and run your 120V to the house.
Independence and self reliance is always more work and some risk, but better than trusting your life to the PTB.
If you don’t like solar or independence, by all means stay on their grid!
There is no call for your dismissiveness. I could respond in kind but will not.
I am a degreed engineer and understand building codes and so on. I think many people won’t even consider the implications of installing unrated power equipment in your home. You could wind up having the CO of the house revoked. I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m saying know what the risks are.
Went totally off grid by doing it myself for $3,000 for a normal lifestyle with the new amorphous panels. Couple changes I made for the better were gas heat, water heater and cookstove. Bonus points-gas runs my dual fuel generator. Near a year now and happy with a paid for system!