Ticking all the boxes
 

We are about to embark on the last augment for home energy. I've been closely watching the price of solar PV and here in Canada the price of solar PV panels has bottomed out, or so I believe and prices have started to rise.

I believe its time for us to jump in.

So far we have done the other improvements to reduce our energy usage. A large solar hot water system. New windows. Extra insulation. better sealing against air infiltration. Geo thermal in-floor heating. LED lighting. It is now time.

The first facet will be a solar pergola. We had a pergola a few years ago and it offered a diffused light pattern that was really appreciated by the Mrs. for our patio area. This pergola was constructed of wood and would wave around in the wind here. We have lots of wind during winter. It was disassembled and given away before it blew away.

So the new solar pergola will be a double hit. Shade for the patio and Solar generated electricity.

The dream of Net Zero Home is strong but possibly un-obtainable. However there is now some very interesting products now available. Like Tesla's new lithium Power Wall for storing such PV produced power and smarter inverters that will prioritize solar energy than battery energy and finally resort back to grid power.

The size of installation will be 4kw. During the summer season it should provide all the necessary energy for home air-conditioning plus plus. After sunset we well be back on the grid. (for now) Just the thought of cooling or heating via solar energy is amazing.

I know that most will be thinking that grid tie should be what we need BUT. I've applied and spoke with the local distributing company numerous times and still (We have power line constraints that won't allow any interconnect).

The solar pergola will be made from stainless steel that has been already collected at bargain price when it popped up. This structure will NOT BLOW AWAY. It is also in keeping with the architecture of the home.

The tubing and sheet stock have already in earnest been machined and cut to be assembled soon before the cold weather.

One of the most neat things that had presented itself was 250 watt panels that are double glass. This allows light through between the cells like leaves on a tree. It should look very cool.

Assembly should progress in the next 2-3 weeks

Randen

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...2-1024x768-jpg

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http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...4-1024x768-jpg

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Very cool. I'm looking forward to updates and pictures.

Just to be clear, you're running a battery system, right?

You are relentless.

-AC

Daox

Yes the battery system will provide electrical energy after the sun has set. The inverters with the smart tech are suppose to do this seamlessly. During the day the Solar supplying power to the home plus charge the batteries, then after the sun sets battery power. If that is exhausted, back on the grid. The battery system will be huge dollars and the ROI may be a long time. I believe for me that the lithium tech is the only way to go. But time will tell

As we cannot grid tie this is our option. And possibly a good one as there are costs associated with grid-tie monthly service fees.

This install will give us a good idea to what is possible with regards to net zero.

Randen

Ticking all the boxes
 

The work is progressing on the solar pergola. All the parts are made and are out for welding. Some smaller items for fastening the panels need to be turned however it more important to getting the structure erected.

Research is going on to procuring off grid smart inverters. However all that's turning up is lead-acid type systems. The Power-wall (Lithium) presented by Tesla is high voltage equipment. 300-450 Volt DC. This is highly desirable for a off-grid system. But contemporary manufactures have max voltages for lead acid based systems of 48 VDC which would require large cabling still resulting in greater power losses.

Some people have experimented with Grid-tie inverters utilizing sine wave generators to bring them into operation supplying 240 VAC which can then be used to charge the lithium batteries via an off the shelf charger with proper charge profiles.

I believe this will be the route I may follow. A pure sine wave generator sinking up a inverter that will power the home while the sun shines. After which the next step will be the installation of batteries. The batteries will charge during the day-light hours and then power the load after the sun has set.

The drawing is the side profile of the pergola. Hopefully we can get it up and covered with panels before the cold wind starts.

Randen

Ticking all the boxes
 

Thought I would present everyone with a teaser.

The welding shop has been extremely busy and was using my job as a fill in. The young apprentice is quite excited about the project. The journey men set him up and the young man is very careful in TIG welding the stainless just as the more experienced men set out.

The owner of the shop is the most accomplished welder I know. I have met men that weld structural tubing for aircraft and they would only be able to pack this mans lunch. His work in stainless would be comparable to jewelry.

This will be a large weld-ment for the shop by their typical work but it will work out nice. The pieces are large and heavy but we wish it this way to remain in place in spite of the Canadian winter wind.

Some research into inverters and system controls but nothing set in stone yet. I'm looking into high voltage 350V plus for string inverters charging a lithium battery pack. Higher voltage keeps the losses lower.

Hopefully we can have the assembly up within the next couple weeks, I don't like working outside in the cold weather.

Randen

Congrats on the solar.

Check out this project it might interest you.
Plan: Off grid solar with a Model S battery pack at the heart


Someone just posted this.
Use of Nissan Leaf battery in Solar installation.
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=17879




I love the look of those panels.

http://skie.net/showthread.php?9-Pla...k-at-the-heart

Pinballooking

Thanks for the link it just the sort off thread or individual I was looking for. It seem as he has accomplished his goal. Net zero!! Hopefully more of us can get there.

Randen

He has a huge system.

I just love the idea of repurposing EV car batteries to work with solar. There are going to be a big supply of them from Leafs and Volts that will no longer work in a car but that will be great for solar home use.

By that time by grid tie grandfather clause will be done and they will charge me a bigger fee to stay connected to the grid.
I will hopefully end my tie with them at that point.

I will be following your project.

Just a thought on this 350V you are looking for. My large array is 24 x 240W Sharp panels wired into two strings of 12. The Sunny Boy inverter regularly shows the system at 358V. Don't know how this would relate to what you are planning, but I'm rooting for your success.

I really like your plan, and I know people who do it as you're planning {at least as my imagination says you are planning it}. They have their off-grid system and the utilty connection and it is where the solar array cannot backfeed the grid. They simply put a transfer switch between the main breaker box and the grid. They feed the breaker box all of the time by their {nickel type} battery system and when the sun isn't enough to keep the batteries charged, they flip the transfer switch so the grid powers their home and the other charger that replenishes the battery bank.

Trying to tick all the boxes
 

Well I guess that didn't work!!

Trying to get the solar pergola up before winter hit. Grrrr.!! & Burrrr! Everyone is busy which is good. Including yours truly. The weldments arrived one day before the snow hit. One day I'm installing the mounting hardware in the concrete next day snow, wind and cold!! I hate working in the cold.

The components do look great. Maybe we'll get a few warm days in Dec.
Oh well springs only 3-4 months away and I've waited this long.

Randen

Wow those look great.

Someone just posted this.

Use of Nissan Leaf battery in Solar installation.
Use of Nissan Leaf battery in Solar installation. - My Nissan Leaf Forum

How is your project going?

Pinballlooking

The project is on the back burner at this point. Snow and cold is the theme outside now and I'm soft when it comes to working in the cold. The welding shop I use has moved to a new building and he is busy as well. So we'll all wait till warmer weather.

The site that you had sent a link were a fellow had obtained 2 battery packs from a Tesla I had read a couple times. It seems as he is nearly off grid. As more and more of these high-end cars meet trees or other cars etc. will provide a plethora of awesome battery storage for home brew PV installations. This maybe a path in my very near future.

This point in time I'm extremely busy with my work but any time that I do have is spent on my electric truck. (Wiki a S-10 EV) Chevy made these back in 1997 and crushed them all along with the famed EV 1. 60 of the trucks escaped and are still in the public domain. I 've had some success with the truck but the odd incidents of electric experimentation has allow the magic smoke out of the semiconductors. But I'm oh so close to driving with electrons.

This spring maybe we'll be driving on sunshine.

Randen

Ticking all the boxes
 

Well spring has presented some warm days and my welding shop has made the adjustments. Maybe a couple more days of turning nuts and we will have the stainless pergola/solar mount up.:thumbup:

If anyone is following I have a news flash, the electric pick-up Chev S-10EV has been moving under its own power. Yay!! :eek:

Randen

You need to put up pictures of the S10-EV.

Pinballlooking

Here you go. The s-10 is operating on electrons.!!


https://youtu.be/4evNqitdp0s

Randen

Sweet ride. Any idea on range?
Mark

Ok, the envy part of me is peeking out. Your Electric S10 driving off in the Youtube video and there in the garage, I'm looking at what appears to me to be the nose of a blue Tesla Model S.

Congrats on getting the Chevy motor-vating again.

Still Trying to tick all the boxes
 

Well

Its still dam cold here in southwestern Ontario. In erecting the pergola a small tree was going to interfere with the sunlight falling on my panels so it had to be moved. What else would some one do on a cold Saturday morn.??

This tree spade was awesome it made minimal damage to my lawn but some lawn rolling will need to be done to fully erase the track marks.

The last items for the completion are being made these are some plastic clamp blocks to lock the tubes in place. I had designed the pergola to be assembled with hand tools so if anyone would want one it could be replicated. A stainless steel solar/carport!!

Still waiting for a nice warm spring day to spin all the nuts on!!!

Electric truck is running real nice won't be long till its on the road!!

Randen

Ticking all the boxes
 

Finally

Clears skies and warm temps, a beautiful day in southwestern Ontario. Turned in all the bolts and put one panel up to check the fit. All is well. Hmmm some time in the next week or two I'll be able to install the rest.

Air-conditioning via sun power, Charging vehicles via solar.

And the Mrs. has her pergola.

Win Win :thumbup:

Randen

That is just a work of art.

beauty full
JJ

Ticking all the boxes
 

Here in Ontario Canada spring is starting (we Hope)!! Its nice to work outside

Look what showed up!! 10 Kw's of PV panel. Maybe this week I can get them mounted. Air-conditioning and vehicle charging are the goal. Ten years ago I wouldn't have thought possible now within grasp!!

I haven't yet had a chance to see if my methods of islanding with the Enphase Inverters will function. Hopefully soon.!! Anyone with some ideas???

Randen

Very nice. Now get them installed and start saving money! Spring is one of the best solar producing times.

Ticking all the boxes
 

I know its been a while that I had played with this. Yesterday my neighbour who is a little more muscular enhanced than I, assisted in raising these panels and bolting them down. It workout fantastically. Now the other half of the job conduit, wires,disconects,inverters and batteries.
The panels have a clear backing so sunlight is defused like leaves of a tree while your enjoying a sit on the patio.

Randen

These are very cool panels. They would also make a great car port.
You will be charging that truck with solar in no time.

I'm glad I subscribed to this thread! Looks awesome Randen. I like that you designed this to be so much more than merely functional. It serves multiple purposes and looks good too!

Looks awesome. :thumbup: Nice to have a neighbor willing to assist.

BTW, does this neighbor have, or plan to have, a solar array of his own?

Marcus said "Gawd this looks great, only except for one thing, Its not at my house"

Randen

I was going to send this link to the gf. But after seeing that structure. I'm afraid to. I echo Marcus' remark. Great work.

The next facet for the solar pergola has been tested. The inverter was wired temporarily and provided 220 VAC to a 5hp motor. Now it was under no load but ran smoothly drawing just a couple amps.

The goal is to provide power to the home (for summer loads so far) and of coarse the largest load is the heat-pump for the AC.

Now here is the problem: I know some are going to respond "why don't you grid tie" NOT ALLOWED. The grid that services our home is already loaded with as much solar as they will allow????? I have applied 3 times. Safety "they say" I smell B.S.

Here is my plan: Have the Nimh pack out of my truck which is 29 kwh's or once was. I will keep this charged from the solar and invert to supply the house loads. I will install a transfer switch so as long as the batteries and solar are providing for the load the grid will be disconnected. If clouds happen and the batteries are exhausted the grid will turn on. Simple Eh.

I will provide some photos as the project comes together.

Randen

Have you found an out of the box transfer switch that will do that automatically?

Ticking all the boxes
 

MN Renovator

I have not found any out of the box transfer switch. Any of the big name inverter manufactures are still stuck in the dark ages of producing products meant for lead acid. Some inverters and charge controllers coming out of China are being made with high voltage lithium packs.

I would like to obtain a couple of Tesla Powerwalls. These are exactly what I need. They can be programmed to do either grid tie or islanding smoothly. I had called Tesla and they told me I wouldn't see one until at the earliest early 2018 for my area. Damm.!

But who knows by the time I can get everything together the Powerwall may be available.

I though I was going to have the pergola up last year. Need a bigger gun for all those gremlins that show up!!!

Soon I will be running the conduit up the exterior wall and over to the already installed conduit to the panel area. It been 20 year since I built the house. I had included a conduit from the roof down inside the wall for the eventual installation of roof top solar. Again didn't think it would take this long. The solar cabling has arrived in my post box. Very soon the batteries will be drinking up some solar.
electrons.

Randen

I didn't see what batter voltage you are wanting to run. But magnum inverters have a new thing now. The have micro inverters at the panels that back feed into a battery back up inverter. The inverter its self is the charge controller and it has a built in transfer switch for grid or generator.

An article I found that kind of explains it
http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com...erter-battery/

For my own personal theoretical on-a-bar-napkin design involves a very simple charge controller, because lithium is dead simple needs very little control with low C rate inputs when charging. If you keep the voltage within the safe range and the maximum charging rate isn't too high, a lithium iron phosphate pack(LiFePO4) can pretty much be provided power until the cutoff voltage is reached.

This is very different from lead acid, which is finnicky, where you have different charging regimes with a bulk phase with limited current until you reach a certain voltage, then a float phase where you hold a specific voltage for a certain amount of time, and then periodically you need to do an equalization phase, which mostly wastes energy and wears the cells down cleaning sulphates off the plates while eroding the plates, on top of the charging inefficiency that already exists with lead acid cells in the first place.

With that being said, I'd have a simple charging and discharging system that uses a relay to disconnect the pack when it is out of range with solar modules that have an appropriate voltage that fits closely with its MPPT to the primary portion of the charging curve of the battery. The system can be simple and the savings in the charging system can be used with additional solar modules which should more than make up for the additional cost from the near-monopoly that exists in spendy lithium charge controls.

For an islanded system that isn't grid tied but the grid is available, you'd size the solar system so it provides your intended loads for about 9 months out of the year. In the winter in snowy regions like mine, the solar system would probably cover the fridge load and maybe a little bit of lighting and/or the furnace on the days with sun. Cloudy days, you're on battery or grid. My personal goal would be to have enough solar to run a 500 watt air conditioner(or if you don't think your inverter will blow an inverter mini-split that would be even better) with full sun in the summer with enough solar overhead and battery to carry the small air conditioner through a number of hours into the night along with the refrigerator with the goal that the battery is nearly drained by morning. The hottest days inside the house are always the days with full sun and the solar gain involved. In my area in MN 1kw of nameplate of my grid-tied solar system on a hot sun days without clouds produces about 6kwh of energy. Adjust nameplate wattage for your desires and round up a little. Have a battery sized to support the maximum discharge load, charge load, design capacity, and then oversize a little figuring degradation and the different between the granular size of the batteries.

..at least that's my idea for an on-grid system, pole mounted in a spot with a clear view of the sky. In my case, most of the expectation is for air conditioning and I'd be inclined to get more of the available production into the evening to match the needs of the air conditioning load.

So basically what I'd want is a system that sees that the 120v from the 48v inverter is absent because the system shut down due to the battery hitting my low voltage threshold and the air conditioning, fridge, and whatever other loads I've dedicated to the system automatically make a break-delay-reconnect to the grid.

EDIT: If I were to get an electric car or a PHEV, I'd size the solar and battery system a little bit bigger. The reality is that I wouldn't want to oversize the system too much because the more idle time without a load to dump into, that would be less I'd get from the system. I'd also consider using some of these super cheap used EV batteries that I've seen floating all over the place. ..although that gets tricky because getting into the right voltage range for an inverter requires either planning the battery around the inverter, or the inverter around the battery. Especially in packs that are hard to change their nominal voltage, like Tesla packs, you can't really rearrange the cells to get the ideal number you want in series. It's a little easier with Nissan Leaf cells or similar packs where your granularity is 2 cells in series.

For the moment I'm going to use the 360V pack that was in my truck. It was rated at 29 kwh which should power the house for more than a day with the heat-pump. My experiment with the inverter went very well and I'll post more when its up and running.

The cabling has arrived and I'm watching for the combiner box. Still looking for the charge controller. It seems a automatic transfer switch for the size I need is quite pricey. Looking at my options. I didn't sell my toolbox yet.

Randen

With the mandatory off-grid situation you describe, you may be better off just running everything off of your inverter full time. When the solar goes away (nightly or heavy cloud cover, etc.), the battery bank could be run down to a certain point. Below this threshold, you could just energize a grid-powered battery charger to keep the battery bank alive until the sun comes up again.

I know this isn't the most efficient way to run your loads, but it's a whole lot easier and cheaper than a custom-islanding transfer rig. It would essentially work as a UPS, so sensitive loads wouldn't be getting glitched or seeing surges and spikes when contacts made and broke. Extending the lives of equipment could very well make up for the conversion losses. A lot depends on the kinds of loads on the power line that would be exposed to the transfer switch. This is one of those cases where trying something strange and new might not be a very good idea.

Fellow Eco-renovators

Boxes have been arriving with combiners with disconnects and solar wire with MC4 connectors. Spent a whole day up and down the ladder installing conduit and wire. The disconnect is the next order of business.

Getting close however the charge controller is a little special so its going to take some time getting here. It looks now like its going to be another 4 weeks before I can direct some electrons via photons to the EV's

Randen

I love it! I sent some of your pictures to my wife and she loves it too. Hopefully we can do something like this in a couple years. Was the stainless steel quite expensive, or was it comparable to using other metals?