Decided to go solar (just a little)

[RimaNTSS]

what type/brand of soild state relays and voltage relays you used

Unfortunately, SSRs did not come yet from PRC. But ordered such ones
Voltage relays I have the cheapest possible
And, in fact, I do not really care what is the price of this project, as I consider it to be my new hobby.

 

[ozumo]

Mine is 11 cents US per KWh

In GB we pay around $0.33 per KWh, and that's going up by at least 50% 65% in autumn

 

[jeallen01]

Unfortunately, SSRs did not come yet from PRC. But ordered such ones View attachment 144036
Voltage relays I have the cheapest possible View attachment 144037
And, in fact, I do not really care what is the price of this project, as I consider it to be my new hobby.

Frankly I would not have been very "happy" to use "no-name" SSRs and battery charging modules - given the possible damage that could be caused if there were failures. Had it been me, I would have gladly paid more to get them from reputable European-based suppliers (even if the units did actually come from China in the first place, you would then have companies to "take to court" for recompense in the event of any damage because they have a legal requirement to only import certified-safe products!)

 

[RimaNTSS]

Had it been me, I would have gladly paid more to get them from reputable European-based suppliers

I am pretty sure, this is not the only difference between you and me.
I am not ready to pay 3x more for the same product just to have paper saying "EU certified"

 

[RimaNTSS]

I was having some fun in the hot-tub today. My better half joined later as well. That war really fun as the water in the tub has heated purely by solar energy. Actually, the water temperature was too high, so I added some 100 liters of cold water to get the temperature down to a comfortable 38*C. Of course, a couple of beers were used. Fortunately for me, the nearby oak tree lost it's branch several days ago, so I have collected some wood for later use in heating of the hot tub (if not enough sun energy) and also the garage. TGIF all!
BTW, my antenna has heating elements on the lower part with the total 4,9kWt , so if I decide, I could heat the antenna with my solar panels, as they have total 4,8kWt of power.

 

[RimaNTSS]

When I deinstalled my hot water boiler to install electric heating elements, I discovered there were some leakage. And leakage was in too many places (and some other can come) to have this boiler used in the future. So, with a great help of my friend we built a new boiler. It has 2x100mm vertical pipes where the electric heating elements will be installed, they will heat the water of home heating fluid (water), and indirectly the water for shower will also be heated.

 

[RimaNTSS]

The new boiler is installed, insulated and already working. The heating elements are 4.4kW, so the solar panels will never generate more than that even they are rated 4.8kW, but that is not a such a big problem, I think. Also finished my control box after receiving missing solid state relays. Tested the system for last 2 days and it generated 60Kw/h energy (30 each day), and I am happy about that. Now, the water in the hot tub is hot, water in the house is hot and no need to burn pallets or wood. Of course, this is at summer. But I hope to have some effect also during autumn and spring.

 

[RimaNTSS]

It is not so hot today and temperature of the panels is 27*C, perhaps this is the reason why there is almost 4.8kW power received when the sun is shining. From August 13th I got more than 370kWt/h of free energy. Which is not bad, I think.

 

[Trust]

It is not so hot today and temperature of the panels is 27*C, perhaps this is the reason why there is almost 4.8kW power received when the sun is shining. From August 13th I got more than 370kWt/h of free energy. Which is not bad, I think.

Now I know where the sun is leaking , temperature over here is dropping

 

[RimaNTSS]

The friend of mine also decided to go solar. He bought 27x545W panels and asked me to make roof frames for his panels. He brought all the materials to my place, so no transportation costs for me at all. So I've made them. He wants to pay some money to me and asking me "How much?".
But I do not know! Do you guys think that 500-600 euro would be adequate price for the job done?

 

[jeallen01]

Work out your average "hourly-rate" and then how many hours you spent and see what that would add up to - and then decide how much you want to actually charge him!

 

[dreambox1959]

The friend of mine also decided to go solar. He bought 27x545W panels and asked me to make roof frames for his panels. He brought all the materials to my place, so no transportation costs for me at all. So I've made them. He wants to pay some money to me and asking me "How much?".
But I do not know! Do you guys think that 500-600 euro would be adequate price for the job done?

can you give me size and measurement of your stand (in picture above)
my sister got 4 solar panel and i like what you have done !

 

[RimaNTSS]

@dreambox1959 Those frames are calculated to have 30* leaning plus 7* leaning of the roof, together ~37*. I do not think you just should copy the design, as you might have different conditions.

 

[dreambox1959]

thanks it s for to get inspired !

 

[RimaNTSS]

Today, my friend came with the trailer and picked up all the frames at once. He will bring them to the sync workshop and only after to his roof.

 

[Captain Jack]

With the current price of energy, I am thinking of getting solar panels installed - at least for off-grid use to power my crap in my man-cave/garage/office.

 

[purplemarina]

Are you thinking of using something like the Eco flow or Jackory power station with solar panels ?

 

[Captain Jack]

Are you thinking of using something like the Eco flow or Jackory power station with solar panels ?

Something like that but I am way out of my depth here. Will need a good read about all the options.

Also this was a good watch. Looks similar to what Rimant has done.

 

[purplemarina]

victron do a range of controllers and inverters you can connect to lithium batteries, very popular with the motor home folk. (worth a look )

 

[RimaNTSS]

Another 12 x 400W panels I am installing on another shew. So, together I will have 24 panels with maximum power 9.6kW.