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Old 11-10-10, 03:06 PM   #1
bennelson
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SE Wisconsin
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Default Incremental PV Solar Setup

Hey Folks,

I would really like to get more serious about solar, but still have plenty to learn. I want to stay as DIY and affordable as I can.

I also have some other limiting factors, such as -

1) I'm OK with spending a fair amount of money on solar, but not all at once.
2) I have only OK, not great solar access.
3) I own my own home, but might move in a couple of years.

So, what I am interested in doing is slowly building a PV system, but how do I do that in such a way that I don't have to replace one part with another more expensive part down the line?

How do I incrementally increase the size of the system?

From what I know of PV so far, I get that the inverter is often the limiter to system size, SO it seems like you need to size that to the biggest that you think the system will ever get to. BUT, what if I never put up that many panels? Just wasted a bunch of money then!

I already have a number of (used) deep cycle gel and AGM batteries from my electric car projects, so it would be nice to use those as a battery backup system. I also already have a 48V computer UPS. Basically, it's a 2000 watt inverter, with very clean AC waveform.

So, I already have half what I need for a battery backup system. However, it's not good enough for running my whole house off of in general use (essentially take my house off-grid)

I think a grid-tie system would be great, in that it simply reduces how much power I would have to pay for from the electric company every month.

A homebrew solar system that would charge my batteries, and then kick over to power a grid-tie system would be pretty slick. On the other hand, the UPS already has a battery charger built into it. I could charge those batteries from the grid while the sun is charging (and the solar panels are making power) and then use them whenever I want later (such as in a blackout)

Some of those basic Chinese grid tie inverters are very inexpensive.

But back to the incremental part. Let's say I wanted to buy a $500 solar panel for X-mas every year. I want to be able to expand the system as I go. What's the best way to do it?

I have heard good things about the Enphase microinverters. Basically, you put one each on every PV panel. Very simple, expandable. Saves some costs (you get rid of combiner boxes and DC disconnects.) Microinverters are also supposed to be better for shading issues as well.

They aren't real cheap, about $2 per watt. But that probably figures out to not much different than just one big inverter.

I was also thinking that instead of buying used, discount, or closeout PV panels, that it would be best to pick a popular brand and a model of panel that should be around for a while. That way, I could get a panel at a time, and know that I could get more in the future.

I am hoping to rebuild my garage this next summer. If that happens, the plan is to "rotate" the roof 90 degrees so that it faces south. I would like to do a standing seam metal roof (as they are recyclable, unlike traditional shingles) and standing seam has some nice attachment systems for PV panels.

With the metal roof, it should be possible to add one panel at a time with minimal problems.

So, anyways, I am trying to keep it affordable, but expand the system as I can afford too.

Your thoughts?

-Ben

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