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61. Posted: 24 Dec 2015 00:27 - General Forum / Federal Solar Tax Credit Extended (USA)
I just had another thought. Instead of a tax credit for installing solar, wouldn't it be way more beneficial since we have the new global climate agenda going on: instead of slowly fazing out the tax credit? To; require all new residential constructi...
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62. Posted: 23 Dec 2015 21:53 - General Forum / Federal Solar Tax Credit Extended (USA)
...5 years (last time I looked that was the case). Quoting: darz5150Has anyone else tried for this credit? Like I said I may have just been dooped from the local offices. Yes, I have used the federal solar tax credit. Twice, two different years, two different projects. If you did not fill out the 5695 you should see a tax expert and get it sorted out. It is real money when used to ...
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63. Posted: 17 Dec 2015 06:15 - Off-Grid Living / Going off the grid
Quoting: smythejohnwhat about solar? Have a look at what I got this spring, it's outlined in this Solar Planning for this spring thread on this forum. Now, being that I am Canadian and our dol...
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64. Posted: 14 Dec 2015 19:25 - Off-Grid Living / Going off the grid
SmytheJohn A good solar system would cost you about 15k. With anticipated 10kw/day use. Depending on insolation of course. You would need 3kw panels. Go 48v. One solar con...
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65. Posted: 13 Dec 2015 23:54 - Off-Grid Living / Where to put batteries and inverter in weekend cabin
I pulled a 8x16' enclosed trailer into my lot. The ladder rack on the top gave for a perfect location to mount my 3 230w solar panels. I keep my battery bank, cc, fuses, and inverter inside the trailer and ran power out of the trailer underground to the shack. Don't think I'd do i...
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66. Posted: 12 Dec 2015 19:02 - Off-Grid Living / Where to put batteries and inverter in weekend cabin
I would not put any large batteries in the living space,out side in a shed with wires running under ground to my trailer breaker box..i have the solar panels and batteries and inverter all together and have never had a problem,but my shed is not air tight and t works quite well so far,about 10 years now.. just reme...
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67. Posted: 12 Dec 2015 18:34 - Off-Grid Living / Going off the grid
...that I do need electrically, what the miser products are. LED lights are winners, but I also found a battery operated, lighted medicine cabinet with a mirror for the bathroom so I'll only need one. And I found a solar-powered LED light that will be perfect for the kitchen and comes with its own little panel. So I'll only need one good LED light for the living...
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68. Posted: 12 Dec 2015 15:56 - Off-Grid Living / Going off the grid
...en it means another $ 3,000 stakeout fee for a new proposed route coming from another direction which is even farther, meaning more poles, more money. I have been researching and working with a solar products supplier for panels, inverters, etc. Our log cabin is 1000 sq,ft main floor and 480 sq.ft of loft space with a walkout basement. I figured my consumption ra...
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69. Posted: 9 Dec 2015 17:56 - Off-Grid Living / Outback Introduces New Small MPPT Charge Controllers
I hope that SPCU 1024 isn't vapour ware. That is exactly what solar off grid needs. Eff this assemble bits and bobs cra*. Give me a one device. Let me hang it. Attach the battery at one end, panels at the other. And run me some cir...
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70. Posted: 8 Dec 2015 20:15 - Off-Grid Living / Is there a way? (Plumbing)
Julie, If you are already planning to install solar, than an electric element installed in a 20 Gal tank is a simple, easy, and long term economical way to go. (1) The extra solar panels will extend ...
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71. Posted: 8 Dec 2015 18:19 - Off-Grid Living / Is there a way? (Plumbing)
...ys. Or if there's another simple, easier way that I can build into my cabin right off the bat? Hence, the plumbed-in holding tank idea I'm mulling. I tend to agree; needing 1,000+ watts of solar panels just for hot water is excessive. The benefit of that, though, is it's a one-time expense and no ongoing need for fuel, moving parts that could fail, free...
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72. Posted: 8 Dec 2015 18:03 - Off-Grid Living / Is there a way? (Plumbing)
Using electricity generated from solar panels to heat water is likely the most expensive way to heat water. You would be much better off with a thermal solar panel to he...
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73. Posted: 8 Dec 2015 06:33 - Off-Grid Living / Went off grid and want to get back on ...not so fast
...ng the First Model Year of any car... Off Grid Usage The dream of many environmentalists is to live off grid. The Powerwall is not the tool to enable off grid living. As I mentioned earlier, the solar energy production varies wildly during the year in the United States. This problem would not exist along the equator. But in the U.S. to go off grid with the Powerwalls would proba...
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74. Posted: 7 Dec 2015 17:19 - Off-Grid Living / Back-feeding generator to an outlet to a battery charger
Interesting. The company from which I plan to order my solar generator equipment designates some packages that can be connected to the breaker panel but most cannot. Among those designated as "tie-in" systems that CA...
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75. Posted: 7 Dec 2015 00:44 - Off-Grid Living / Is there a way? (Plumbing)
Quoting: MtnDonButler makes an interesting couple of products. The Solar Wand uses a heat exchange fluid with a rod/tube affair that fits into a standard storage tank. They also have a PV Wand that fits into a standard storage tank in a similar manner a...
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76. Posted: 6 Dec 2015 23:34 - Off-Grid Living / Back-feeding generator to an outlet to a battery charger
Can't you hardwire your solar generator to your breaker/electric panel and use a transfer switch to your other generator to charge your batts? That's what I'm planning to do. Tentativel...
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77. Posted: 6 Dec 2015 23:30 - Off-Grid Living / Is there a way? (Plumbing)
Solar water heating works well. I have a friend who gets all the hot water they need for "free" in summer. Spring and fall the solar pre heats the water enough s...
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78. Posted: 3 Dec 2015 21:50 - Off-Grid Living / love my solar generator...just need some fine tuning
I bought a solar genny from Be Prepared Solar two years ago. It's been providing 75% of the electric to my off-grid seasonal cabin. I just emailed them about some things. Maybe ...
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79. Posted: 30 Nov 2015 17:01 - General Forum / Wireless Temperature Station
Nice score Steve! That will come in handy. CT had some goofy sales on this weekend, that's for sure. Treated myself to the metal detector, another coleman solar panel and some saw blades. Saved a whack of cash.
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80. Posted: 29 Nov 2015 20:21 - General Forum / Surprising (and shocking) building regulations
...egulation of electricity which means I have to shop around every year for an electric company that sux the least and can do what it wants to us, and the list goes on. Nearby Arizona TAXES those using solar panels. It wouldn't surprise me if Texas starts doing that, too. Maybe building isn't restrictive in some places around Texas, I don't know. But how ...
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81. Posted: 29 Nov 2015 17:22 - Off-Grid Living / generators
Gee Wiz Gary.... for the cost a of a 3000 Watt Honda Genny you could buy a decent "little" Solar System that would run most if not all the goodies you have now... possibly not the pump you have but still... Something to ponder over the chilly months... That Solar...
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82. Posted: 26 Nov 2015 20:32 - Off-Grid Living / Black Friday Solar Panels at solarblvd.com
I have had 4 of the 80 watt Solar Cynergy panels on my cabin for the last 3+ years. They've been good panels and are still working great. I wish I could have paid $75 each...
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83. Posted: 24 Nov 2015 10:28 - Off-Grid Living / Black Friday Solar Panels at solarblvd.com
Quoting: MtnDonSolar Cynergy 80 Watt12 Volt Solar PanelONLY $75(Regular Price: $104) Wow, six years ago I paid $420 for the 85 watt panel...
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84. Posted: 23 Nov 2015 16:38 - Off-Grid Living / Black Friday Solar Panels at solarblvd.com
Solar Blvd is having a Black Friday sale. Not a super cheap blaster, but decent $$. I mention this mostly for those who want or need a "12 volt" panel....
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85. Posted: 22 Nov 2015 15:00 - Off-Grid Living / Well, it's now cold
...en the pump shuts off. A small hole ( 1/16 or 1/8 ") slightly above the standing level in the well lets the water drain back if there is a foot valve to prevent back flow. Power the pump with a solar panel or generator if no solar. Make the inside tank large enough to serve at least a full days use, preferably two. That would be my ideal. Short...
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86. Posted: 18 Nov 2015 10:59 - Off-Grid Living / Stanley BC2509 25 amp charger earning its keep
After a week of dark clouds, wind and heavy rains, the charge rate from the solar panels couldn't keep up so the batteries that are normally kept at 12.70 volts finally dropped to 11.60, so reluctantly I fired up the generator and the Stanley...
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87. Posted: 14 Nov 2015 15:55 - Off-Grid Living / So, what do you do when you Solar system is running right?
I love my solar set up. In the throws of wiring the cottage for a bathroom light and about 8 outlets. It is a small system, about 750 wh. We have one panel with two L16 batteries...
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88. Posted: 14 Nov 2015 07:17 - Off-Grid Living / So, what do you do when you Solar system is running right?
Groingo My wife and I are hoping to install a PV solar at our home in 2016. I'm just wondering if you installed your system yourself or hired a solar contractor? We have found 1 contractor that we like, but I'm...
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89. Posted: 10 Nov 2015 14:25 - Off-Grid Living / Generator Panel for Routing Solar
When it is a case of using either a generator, or solar generated power via an inverter, the normal thing is to have a transfer switch before the panel input. Then either solar / inverter or generator inp...
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90. Posted: 10 Nov 2015 10:44 - Off-Grid Living / Generator Panel for Routing Solar
...d per normal with 110V plugs and a couple of lights/switches. The idea is to have one side (of the two input switch) fed by a generator - via a proper receptacle and the other side fed by an inverter (once I buy the solar system). The panel is same as attached - mechanical toggle between inputs - 60 amp. Somewhat too little to late to ask now but will this work for ...
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