Questions tagged [solar]
The solar tag has no usage guidance.
78
questions
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1answer
45 views
Spacing between solar arrays
I'm considering a solar farm in my backyard so I'm doing my initial research. Found this video. Here's a still from that video:
What's the point of that 12' gap between the arrays? Seems like a waste ...
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0answers
24 views
Is using Solar a good way to distill water? [closed]
I am trying to create a cheap and easy way to distill water, I learned through some research and talking with people that making a solar still is the best way. I really would like a cheap solution to ...
0
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1answer
40 views
Can I use hot water to transfer heat from a greenhouse into the house?
We have a vacation house that has a (south-southeast facing) greenhouse off of one of the bedrooms. On a sunny day in winter, the greenhouse can easily reach 80F or more. When we are there, we open ...
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0answers
14 views
heat capture, blue vs transparent pool cover
For capturing solar heat, what is the difference between using a light-blue pool cover vs a transparent pool cover, vs no cover (evaporation aside)?
Each has its own benefits: dark blue retains best, ...
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39 views
Solar Battery Pack for outdoor lights
I recently bought a really old house and the light outside has not been working. I just found that there was a little solar battery charger laying on the floor of my front yard, broken to pieces. So I ...
0
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1answer
45 views
DIY Solar and window wells
I am installing solar at my house. I need to install a production meter and 30A AC disconnect before the point of interconnection at the main service panel. I was wondering if I can install those ...
1
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2answers
52 views
Solar system with both grid tie-in and backup power without battery? [duplicate]
My wife and I have been talking for a few years now about getting some solar panels installed on our roof. We even went so far as to have a sales rep for an installer come out and talk through our ...
1
vote
2answers
93 views
What kind of inverter do I need for an inductive load?
TLDR: My shed AC unit (maximum draw 8A 120V AC) keeps tripping my 1100W inverter. It seems to have troubles occasionally when the fan turns on. It's pretty much guaranteed to have troubles when the ...
2
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2answers
47 views
How to run Romex cable to Enphase Combiner box 3?
In designing in the solar panels, I've decided to run the wire inside of the house. So far, I am running 10/2 Romex from the attic all the way to the Enphase Combiner Box surface mounted on the ...
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0answers
26 views
suspending a 36x26 solar panel on a single 4x4x12 post (9' above ground 3 feet into the ground)?
I'd like to suspend a 36x26x1 aluminum solar panel 9 feet above ground on a SINGLE 12' 4x4 timber with some 2x4s at the top. I'm in central Florida.
Will it be too top heavy? wind issues?
it's a ...
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2answers
45 views
How do I improve specific gravity in a 4 year old battery
The specific gravity indicates almost nonexistent acid level. Barely above water. What is the best way to bring this battery back to life. It is a 6 volt solar battery.
0
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1answer
36 views
Fixing a roof solar heater
At the end of the season last September the highlighted joint in the roof solar heater was gushing a fair bit of water whenever the pump was turned on.
The joint is now still dry. Is it reasonable to ...
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0answers
39 views
Diagnosing Solar Inverter
The goal is to correctly diagnose from the device's fault codes and determine corrective action.
A SB6000U Sunny Boy inverter returns energy into the electric grid: reducing the electric bill ...
3
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0answers
40 views
Need help on error code for a solar power inverter
I have a solar array with 2 Sunpower/Sunnyboy inverters model SPR-6000m. One of the inverters has an error that from the manual (see pic) is "Inverter Interference". The indicator lights that blink ...
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3answers
62 views
Solar water heater vs Heat pump for heating water?
I'm debating between installing a solar water heater vs. a heat pump for supplying hot water to my house. The house is in Bangalore, India - we have about 300 days of sunshine in a year. My estimate ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
What can I use redundant/spare AGM batteries for?
In my off-grid cabin I currently have a single 258 Ah (C24) Concorde PVX-2580L battery, with a 150 Ah spare (and generator) for backup situations where the main runs flat.
As I frequently see the ...
2
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2answers
115 views
Options for Running High End Computer on Old Circuit
I'm preparing to build the computer of my dreams. Unfortunately, it's going to top out at 1350 Watts when running at peak performance. I live in an 80 year old bungalow and the power situation is less ...
1
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1answer
80 views
Proper amount of solar panels needed to charge batteries
I am working on a plan for a 24V electrical system. Based on my needs I plan to have six 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries wired up (2S3P I believe) to give me 24V 300Ah.
Assuming I need to fully recharge ...
0
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1answer
55 views
12v Off Grid System
One of my clients wants to add a refrigerator to his mobile office (sailboat) that runs off a 12v battery bank (x2 225ah deep cycle AGM) and add x2 100w solar panels and a 400w wind generator to ...
1
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2answers
62 views
Window AC unit LCDI tripping when powered by my solar inverter
I have a small 200w solar power system consisting of a Victron 500VA inverter (900w peak) with a 100ah AGM battery.
I just purchased a 5000BTU/4 amp window unit that draws a peak of 430w according to ...
0
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1answer
54 views
Calculating Battery Size for 2 Channel NVR Security Camera System
I need to install a security camera system on a United States 110v power circuit that is only on a night. The circuit is using an astronomical clock to turn on power and more accurately measure the ...
1
vote
2answers
89 views
Question about new inverter for solar power system
I am new to this community so I hope this is the right place.
I am looking into buying a new inverter for my off grid cabin running from solar. I would like to purchase THIS 3000w inverter. My ...
0
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3answers
777 views
Solar Power System Circuit Breaker and fuse Amps
So the question is kinda part 2 of my question about the DC Output
Today I went to Hellweg (It's like an Electronics shop in Germany/Europe). To buy a Circuit Breaker or Fuse (idk what I am looking ...
1
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2answers
56 views
off grid solar connecting mixed panels best options
Recently I bought a 35 watt 12v solar panel, I have a small pond 5 watt panel that supposedly is 12v as well. I wanted to combine and use both of these panels for an off grid application.
I want to ...
0
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1answer
52 views
AC Combiner Box for Solar Project
I've been searching online for a NEMA 3R enclosure to act as a combiner for two 40 Amp, 240v circuits coming out of two solar inverters. Total combined amperage is 80 Amps. The AHJ is going to be ...
2
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1answer
64 views
Comparing mixed orientation solar panels to non-mixed on a Brooklyn Solar install
I'm looking for advice on choosing from two solar panel proposals. I have a historic landmark brownstone in Brooklyn with a flat roof and am looking for the most power that I can fit into the roof ...
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2answers
68 views
Solar air conditioning
What are your thoughts on this Rube Goldberg system I may try this spring in Wilmington, NC.
A shallow well about 15 feet to the well point; static water at 10 feet.
Water temp at 58-60 degrees out ...
1
vote
2answers
111 views
Off grid Solar What panel to use to distribute power to 2 locations Butte County California
Panels, Batteries and Inverter are all in the shop. Lighting, outlets, sprinkler system pump and well pump will be run off the sub panel in the garage. House isn't here yet but will have a 200 amp ...
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1answer
50 views
Temperature monitoring for storage hot water system (RP-2 connection)
My HWS has a secondary outlet connection I don't use, and I'd like to use it to install a thermal probe I can monitor.
HWS RP ¾ / 20 temp probe?
Does anyone know of a practical way to install a ...
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0answers
74 views
Connecting house battery to starter battery - cable sizing considering alternator?
I have a heavy duty 6 ton truck with 24 volt start batteries. I am building a house battery system, also 24 volts. I want to connect the house battery to the car battery with a switch, so that I can ...
0
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2answers
54 views
Status of solar-powered landscaping lights [closed]
As of now (9/2018), are solar-powered landscaping lights a sensible option?
In 5-year intervals, for the past 15 years, I've been suckered into buying solar-powered landscaping lights and every time ...
0
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2answers
258 views
Use a solar light inside
I have a solar light with motion detection that works fine outside. I'd like to know if I can use it inside as well. I want to place it on the windowsill of my clerestory window so that it charges ...
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0answers
50 views
Solar panel not charging battery
I have a small PV system for my shed. Just setting up and testing at this point.
90W panel
MPPT T20 charge controller - 20 AMP
120ah 12 volt battery
Only one led light connected to load.
I am not ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Good Solar Path LEDs for cloudy weather [closed]
I live in Seattle, where its usually rainy/cloudy for 8 months of the year. Do solar path LED lights make sense? If yes, could I have a recommendation?
This was suggested to me:
https://www.lowes....
0
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2answers
82 views
Any ideas for how to use solar to offset electricity in an apartment? [closed]
I have 2 solar panels and a deck that is east and south facing, so it gets plenty of sun. I've been trying to see if there's a way to use those to help offset electricity in an apartment. Any ideas ...
0
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1answer
233 views
Advice on adding a LPG Gas Boiler on Central Heating System with a Hot Water Storage Tank heated with Solar Panels
I am from Kathmandu, Nepal, and presently trying to install a central heating system in my house using Solar Water Heater.
Background:
Winter days in Kathmandu lasts about 130 days a year. Minimum ...
1
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1answer
2k views
energizing both elements of electric hot water heater
I'm considering using an electric hot water heater (EHWH) with upper and lower heating elements as an electric diversion load. This EHWH would be for pre-heating the water bound for the standard HWH....
5
votes
2answers
924 views
Do I need to upgrade to a 400A panel with solar?
I'm getting solar installed with some powerwalls. As it stands I'm going to have my entire house backed up.
However, I plan to add two EV chargers in the future and I don't want these backed up.
The ...
1
vote
0answers
82 views
Off-Grid Garden Irrigation Pump/Plumbing Question
I am trying to design a system for irrigation of a garden area that has no access to grid electricity, but does have a 24V solar system. There is a spring/seep with a tank at relative elevation 0. ...
0
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2answers
54 views
Over voltage protection to prevent appliances from burning
I have recently installed a solar energy system at my home, I am currently looking for a protection device that could protect my inverter and other appliances from burning if an over voltage (let's ...
0
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2answers
92 views
Solar for particular electronic equipment
I am living in a rental house. Earlier i had an idea to install solar panel for whole house but the cost is very high and other problem is if i am going to shift the house I want to move solar ...
1
vote
2answers
91 views
Solar powered routers and security cameras [closed]
I would like to put a web cam at the end of my driveway, but don't want to run any new wire (plus it is at least a hundred yards). I know that there are solar powered security cameras, but I don't ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
How to calculate theoretical long-term projected savings for a DIY solar powered fridge? [closed]
I went on energystar [dot] gov and used their product finder to find the lowest "annual energy use" compact refrigerator. For my use, that turned out to be the FURRION - FCR43ACA-BL which has an ...
3
votes
1answer
772 views
Is there a type of interlock (transfer switch) that can be used for a generator OR solar panels?
For a new house, I've decided to install two breaker panels, one for critical loads like the well pump, lights, refrigerator and certain outlets, and a second for heavy and non-critical items like the ...
0
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1answer
200 views
Solar powered thermal ballast - is it feasible?
My living room gets plenty of sun from big, west facing windows. As the cold weather is approaching, I wanted to make a device that leveraged this exposure to sunlight to store some energy and slowly ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Solar Water Heater Exchanger Removal, Glycol Removal
I have an old Reynolds Solar Hot Water Heater and would like to uninstall/remove it safely. All my solar panels were removed years ago but the tank is still here. COLD and HOT lines leading to solar ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Can I convert a 12 volt DC device that uses a 240v transformer, back to 12 volt?
I have a small snack bar/kitchen trailer that I need to convert partly to 12 volt.
There is a 12 volt dc water pump 5.2amp and an LED strip light 12volt 5.2 amp - both of these devices currently have ...
2
votes
1answer
700 views
Charging a battery with a solar panel
I want to light a cabin.
I have the following:
75w 12V Coleman solar panel (two bare wire ends)
Large car battery from a Jeep
Even larger (boat?) battery - an Optima Yellowtop 34/78
50/10/2A 12V ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Multiple grid-tie (non-micro) inverters
This is a question that just occurred to me. Assume you have multiple grid-tie solar PV inverters connected to your home load center. What would happen if, while in operation, you were to open the ...
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2answers
100 views
How does a roof replacement impact recommended timing of solar panel installation?
I just found out that I should replace my (currently asphalt shingle) roof in the next year. I am also interested in evaluating the feasibility of installing photovoltaic and/or solar hot water panels....
