SolarDIY

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SolarDIY is a vibrant community dedicated to embracing the power of solar energy. Here, we encourage you to showcase your ingenious ideas, innovative projects, and inspiring stories, while also seeking valuable advice, fresh ideas, and fostering meaningful connections.

Our passion lies in witnessing the remarkable achievements of individuals who have harnessed the potential of solar energy. Whether you have successfully wired your entire house with solar panels, created a portable solar-powered generator, or crafted an efficient solar pool heater, we are eager to learn from your experiences and celebrate your accomplishments.

Join us on this empowering journey as we explore the endless possibilities of solar energy and inspire one another to make a positive impact on our environment and our lives. Together, we can unlock the full potential of solar power and shape a sustainable future.

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pdavis@lemmy.world

Already seeing significant savings despite my PV system having only been running since the last week of June. (startrek.website)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by IcedRaktajino@startrek.website to c/solardiy@lemmy.world

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We've been running the house on mostly PV since I got the initial install done at the end of June. I ran some smaller loads from it throughout June while I was testing the equipment, but that was kind of ad-hoc.

Just now coming out of a heat wave that started last Monday, and most of the A/C usage has been from solar. Still running from the "temporary" transfer switch hookup, so I'm not yet taking advantage of the "hybrid" aspects of the inverter. That may be a while since I have to do some more prep work before I can start installing the new breaker box and moving circuits over to that.

I've also ordered the fourth rail and 5 more panels, so I should have this upgraded from a 3KW to a 4KW system sometime later in the week. Would have ordered those earlier, but I didn't want to make the UPS guy deal with them when the heat index was 109 degrees lol. That, and I wouldn't want to deal with them in that kind of heat, either.

It's just nice seeing such significant returns this early in the process.

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[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 3 points 3 weeks ago

Awesome!

[–] NightFantom@slrpnk.net 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Really cool! What has this cost you in money and time?

[–] IcedRaktajino@startrek.website 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

2x 16 KWh LFP batteries and 10 KW hybrid inverter: $6,000 for the set/kit. Rounded up, includes taxes, delivery, and also $300 to pay a mover to move them from the street to my basement because they're heavy AF lol.
20x 200W PV panels: ~$2200 (averaged $110/panel, some a bit more, some less since I didn't buy them at once)
Mounting Rails: $690 (one large kit and one small kit. All-inclusive with things like the cable clips, lag bolts, and grounding lugs, etc)
2x 30ft 10 AWG MC4 Cables: $60

Total cost for major components: $8,950

I haven't calculated the other misc components since I haven't bought them yet. The inverter's output is currently hooked into a manual generator transfer switch I got for free, but that's just a temporary install so I can use it. That means I can't feed utility power into the inverter yet to utilize it's hybrid/load-sharing features and it's just working in "off grid" mode for now.

I'll be spending a few more hundred dollars on a new breaker box, 60A and 20A wiring, breakers, etc to complete the install (which involves moving the circuits from my existing breaker box into a new one that's better positioned).

All DIY as far as labor goes, unless I happen to hit a point where the task exceeds my skills / comfort zone.

It took me about 1 day per column of panels (bolting down two rails, attaching 5 panels, and wiring them) for the first two. Each column is 14 feet long and holds 5 panels. That was due to heat, rain, and an excess of caution since I wasn't comfortable on the roof at all. The third column only took me a couple hours since I was more comfortable by that point. The 4th column of panels I'm installing later this week should be similar to the third.