I was hoping you were going to do the solar for my new log cabin but trying to move over to the USA the legal way from the UK has been a big waste of money and time sadly. So I am now building a new home in The Bahamas. Thank you for the video always GOOD to learn from. 👍
Hey Scott, your lovely AHJ might be looking for a PE to provide an "as-built" letter verifying that the ground mount was installed according to the stamped plans for the system. I've used Vector Engineering for several years and they offer that service in addition to civil and EE stamping/design. Definitely give them a call!
Yes, we actually did exactly that. I just wish I knew it up front. But we took videos and pictures and submitted are as built drawings to vector and they stamp them for $150
They're expensive as hell, but IMO Winsted makes THE best racking systems out there. Those Pytes batteries look like they're 3 or 4RU tall so 8 of them would fit quite nicely in a 36RU frame with some room for air circulation. That's if the customer would be willing to pay a premium price for the rack mount system of course. For an install like this one, do you think it would make sense to cover the area under the array with a load of white stone (after laying landscaper cloth)? Especially using bi-facials it seems to me it would likely help boost the solar gain, as well as cut down on the mowing LOL
One thing I think you should do is set your stack of batteries on a piece of foam at least 2 inches thick. Charging the batteries while they are cold will kill the batteries. I assume that the batteries are in a conditioned space, but thermally isolating them from the floor is still a good idea.
Great solution. My only addition might be to limit the battery use from down to 20% at night if the weather forecast shows a storm rolling in. Would hate for grid to go down in the morning hours.
Just watched another video where they showed them putting dirt on top of the line that was being installed. Then they put a strip of material just above that so if someone where to dig there they would encounter that before they actually hit the line/pipe/hose or whatever was buried.
Have you done a video focusing on batteries that you like and why? Have you ever worked with or used Simpliphi since they were acquired by Briggs and Stratton?
How does one plan for the additional solar gain that come with the bifacial panels? I know the 15K has 3 MPPT's that each take 6.5K solar input and I'd guess that the 42 panels are feed into the 15K as 7 panels x 6 feeds. How do you ensure the variable solar input does not exceed 6.5k under best solar chargin conditions AND get the best solar production on grey days?
Was this install inspected? Reason I ask is the electrical panel NEC clearance specs of 15” either side and no more than 6” under/above protruding out from front of panel is not met.
I’m surprised you are allowed to encroach on the “gas space” with the wire way Meaning, left of the meter to the right of the meter and up to a specific height. Awesome work yall!!
Nice build.. Does generac provide crankcase/batt preheat when temps dip..? Allowing deep usage of sys batt , doesnt this shorten lifespan..? Batt in hub needs good rack/cover , eh..?
I got over 150,000 watt hours of Lithium. These people are going to be wanting a lot more than what they have. I'm wanting to double mine. I also have 26kw in inverter power. 19kw in solar. Wished I had more panels for those rainy days
Good day Mr. Scott, Have you ever used a Microair on a large air compressor. I've gotta 7.5HP single phase compressor that pulls too much power on start for an 18kpv and didn't know if that'd be a good work around.
Yeah, the wiring is always a pain, but after watching several or your videos, I feel that you kind of have a handle on it... Gotta ask, why do you use a backhoe instead of a ditchwitch...??? Both are capable of getting to depth, and the dicthwitch is faster and less destructive... Last but certainly not least, you're more than welcome to come here and take on my PV project...
I am about to place an offer on an off-grid Colorado property that has a tiny, badly-designed solar system for the 448 square foot cabin. The goal is to install a minimum 20kw system to run the house and a shop, which I plan to build with Amish help.. I will want a backup generator as well. I will consult your videos when it comes to sizing and other aspects. Maybe I should hire you.
I saw a video where a person put a reflector behind a set of Bi-Facial panels to reflect sunlight on the backs of the panels. He claimed to get nearly a 30 percent increase in output when the sun was at its peak location. What do you think of this idea?
I thought of that but went with buying white backed poly based ground "cloth", haven't finished grading yet so don't know how much it'll help. Snow on the ground I'm assuming has helped a bunch though@@realnealsmith
Yes, I'd really like to standardize on some racking. These battery manufacturers are driving me crazy with no server racks for their rack mounted batteries. We also need good combiners and bus bars and the ability to parallel stacks built into these racks.
Hey Mr. Scott. I bought a Solark from you couple years ago and self installed. I am expanding array and want to ask a question. Can the 15k handle an over panel situation so long as you do not exceed the viltage rating. The dc voltage will be about 370, but potential on the bifacials I want to install will be an estimated 7000 watts per mppt. Ive tried to research but cant find the answer im looking for. The flier and manual (outdated) says current limiting to 26 amps per mppt. Can you shed some light here? I think i will be ok but....lol...id rather ask than just wire in a situation that cooks an mppt.
We have to structural stamp many of our solar installs. But To hear about it afterwards is soooo wrong. If they approved your plans as is, then it’s on them for not catching it.
I would love to so some free labor on one of your jobs. How about it? I'm a licensed journeyman in Texas. I just want to be on one of your jobs from start to finish.
Why would someone spend ungodly amounts of money on that back up system only to cheap out on an air cooled generator? Good Lord, if you're gonna spend oodles of money on a project like that why not go all the way and get a pretty beefy water cooled diesel gen set to compliment the system?
In general the objective is to avoid using the generator at all. It’s only there when the PV can’t cut the mustard due to weather or unusually high demand. In this case the generator was already there, so we just used it for the system. It’s a nice generator, too.
Great to be "green energy user" and independent, but this system need capital which is not disclosed on your video. The main parameter on a project is the cost where are included all expenses. Without knowing full price everything looks great. PV energy need and the life expectation, insurance on home and other. I see that 42 panels generated 47 kwh on one of the days, and this is 1.12 KWh/day per each panel with power 0.457 KW. These show very low performance.
Let's discuss your solar goals: practicalpreppers.com/consultation/ Get a quote for a Sinclair Sky Rack 2.0: practicalpreppers.com/product/sinclair-ground-mounts/ Get an EMP hardened DIY kit: practicalpreppers.com/product/diy-emp-hardened-19kw-solar-kit/ Our pressure canners are back in stock and in fun new colors! bit.ly/3IdOgWJ
Too bad you topped this system off with this Chinese made, high frequency, transformerless inverter with its poorer surge capacity and shorter life expectancy, when compared to a high quality low frequency, transformer based inverter charger.
I think it’s amazing that you condensed everything down to one system.
I love watching your videos from unknown locations! Keep up the amazing work
I had fun with my wiring! Hardest part for me as DIY was getting the sinclair into the ground
SCOTT, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU & YOUR TEAM FOR ANOTHER GREAT LARGE PROJECT!
Scott, another awesome install and educational information for the lay person to understand. Cheers, Mate.
I was hoping you were going to do the solar for my new log cabin but trying to move over to the USA the legal way from the UK has been a big waste of money and time sadly. So I am now building a new home in The Bahamas. Thank you for the video always GOOD to learn from. 👍
Cool like your videos. I'm still saving for a rambo .
Scott you need a greenlee hotbox to bend that PVC. Makes it bend like a noodle. Forget about jackin’ footers.
Hey Scott, your lovely AHJ might be looking for a PE to provide an "as-built" letter verifying that the ground mount was installed according to the stamped plans for the system. I've used Vector Engineering for several years and they offer that service in addition to civil and EE stamping/design. Definitely give them a call!
Yes, we actually did exactly that. I just wish I knew it up front. But we took videos and pictures and submitted are as built drawings to vector and they stamp them for $150
They're expensive as hell, but IMO Winsted makes THE best racking systems out there. Those Pytes batteries look like they're 3 or 4RU tall so 8 of them would fit quite nicely in a 36RU frame with some room for air circulation. That's if the customer would be willing to pay a premium price for the rack mount system of course.
For an install like this one, do you think it would make sense to cover the area under the array with a load of white stone (after laying landscaper cloth)? Especially using bi-facials it seems to me it would likely help boost the solar gain, as well as cut down on the mowing LOL
One thing I think you should do is set your stack of batteries on a piece of foam at least 2 inches thick. Charging the batteries while they are cold will kill the batteries. I assume that the batteries are in a conditioned space, but thermally isolating them from the floor is still a good idea.
great work
Great solution. My only addition might be to limit the battery use from down to 20% at night if the weather forecast shows a storm rolling in. Would hate for grid to go down in the morning hours.
That's why we are connected to a 16 kW propane generator and we can get that battery back in shape in less than two hours.
Positive and negative of battery should be drawn from opposite end.
Guy Fawkes.
Just watched another video where they showed them putting dirt on top of the line that was being installed. Then they put a strip of material just above that so if someone where to dig there they would encounter that before they actually hit the line/pipe/hose or whatever was buried.
Have you done a video focusing on batteries that you like and why? Have you ever worked with or used Simpliphi since they were acquired by Briggs and Stratton?
How does one plan for the additional solar gain that come with the bifacial panels? I know the 15K has 3 MPPT's that each take 6.5K solar input and I'd guess that the 42 panels are feed into the 15K as 7 panels x 6 feeds. How do you ensure the variable solar input does not exceed 6.5k under best solar chargin conditions AND get the best solar production on grey days?
Have you seen the new eg4 battery's
Was this install inspected? Reason I ask is the electrical panel NEC clearance specs of 15” either side and no
more than 6” under/above protruding out from front of panel is not met.
I'm an electrical contractor here in Portland Oregon and this would never pass any kind of inspection.
Very nice . Roughly what did it cost the customer?
95k
Do you like Sol ark more or EG4 tras?
I’m surprised you are allowed to encroach on the “gas space” with the wire way
Meaning,
left of the meter to the right of the meter and up to a specific height.
Awesome work yall!!
Nice build..
Does generac provide crankcase/batt preheat when temps dip..?
Allowing deep usage of sys batt , doesnt this shorten lifespan..?
Batt in hub needs good rack/cover , eh..?
I got over 150,000 watt hours of Lithium. These people are going to be wanting a lot more than what they have. I'm wanting to double mine. I also have 26kw in inverter power. 19kw in solar. Wished I had more panels for those rainy days
Good day Mr. Scott,
Have you ever used a Microair on a large air compressor. I've gotta 7.5HP single phase compressor that pulls too much power on start for an 18kpv and didn't know if that'd be a good work around.
Yeah, the wiring is always a pain, but after watching several or your videos, I feel that you kind of have a handle on it...
Gotta ask, why do you use a backhoe instead of a ditchwitch...??? Both are capable of getting to depth, and the dicthwitch is faster and less destructive...
Last but certainly not least, you're more than welcome to come here and take on my PV project...
Which model manual bypass switch are you using there next to the inverter?
I am about to place an offer on an off-grid Colorado property that has a tiny, badly-designed solar system for the 448 square foot cabin. The goal is to install a minimum 20kw system to run the house and a shop, which I plan to build with Amish help.. I will want a backup generator as well. I will consult your videos when it comes to sizing and other aspects. Maybe I should hire you.
Well we're glad to help you with the design and getting all of your materials if that helps. Just send an email to practicalpreppers@gmail.com.
I saw a video where a person put a reflector behind a set of Bi-Facial panels to reflect sunlight on the backs of the panels. He claimed to get nearly a 30 percent increase in output when the sun was at its peak location. What do you think of this idea?
I wonder how much a white stone base under them would add?
I thought of that but went with buying white backed poly based ground "cloth", haven't finished grading yet so don't know how much it'll help. Snow on the ground I'm assuming has helped a bunch though@@realnealsmith
They look like a standard 19" rack would work
with stand by gens
OHH MAN!!! a single or dual axis setup. you have so much power it be silly :D
Could you buy a regular ole 19” rack like BUD rack BRP-12212 or whatever works for 8 batteries tall?
Yes, I'd really like to standardize on some racking. These battery manufacturers are driving me crazy with no server racks for their rack mounted batteries. We also need good combiners and bus bars and the ability to parallel stacks built into these racks.
@@engineer775 I’ve been using Victron Lynx Distributor with MegaFuses and Lynx PowerIn without fuses when the battery has its own breaker.
What ultra-compact 4/0 wire are you using?
I assume that gas is used for heating and cooking?
“If you can’t dig, you can’t”.
No Condit for the buried wires ?
They are direct bury rated wires.
@@engineer775 yeah, but what about pocket gophers and such
Only problem with batteries can’t close loop with Schneider
Hey Mr. Scott. I bought a Solark from you couple years ago and self installed. I am expanding array and want to ask a question.
Can the 15k handle an over panel situation so long as you do not exceed the viltage rating. The dc voltage will be about 370, but potential on the bifacials I want to install will be an estimated 7000 watts per mppt. Ive tried to research but cant find the answer im looking for. The flier and manual (outdated) says current limiting to 26 amps per mppt. Can you shed some light here? I think i will be ok but....lol...id rather ask than just wire in a situation that cooks an mppt.
Please send me an email... info@practicalpreppers.com
We have to structural stamp many of our solar installs.
But
To hear about it afterwards is soooo wrong.
If they approved your plans as is, then it’s on them for not catching it.
I guess you carry a fixit kit with you for the cut cable, water line, and hopefully not gas 😊
Yes, we typically carry plumbing fittings for 3/4 inch and 1 in and fittings for black rolled poly and couplings and corrugated 4-in black pipe.
I would love to so some free labor on one of your jobs. How about it? I'm a licensed journeyman in Texas. I just want to be on one of your jobs from start to finish.
Stamp, there is always one.
I sure hope those DIP Switches on the batteries are behind a cover! I can just see some kid playing with them.
I’m in my 60’s and started listening to rap the past couple of months. Kinda. Mostly a single artist. Tom MacDonald. Inspiring.
Where’s Jonny Valentine?
Inspectors can be a PITA!
I would file a complaint with the county about that inspector
Out Of His Hat My Ass. 😂😂😂
i do electric work one inspector said one thing a new one will tell you a different thing
How are the kids not going to go play with those batteries
👍
Is this permitted? I see so many code violations. 3 ft of Clarence in front of the electrical panel? 30 inches wide?
That stamp thing sounds like a load of BS to me if there's no paper work for it.
Why would someone spend ungodly amounts of money on that back up system only to cheap out on an air cooled generator? Good Lord, if you're gonna spend oodles of money on a project like that why not go all the way and get a pretty beefy water cooled diesel gen set to compliment the system?
In general the objective is to avoid using the generator at all. It’s only there when the PV can’t cut the mustard due to weather or unusually high demand. In this case the generator was already there, so we just used it for the system. It’s a nice generator, too.
Great to be "green energy user" and independent, but this system need capital which is not disclosed on your video. The main parameter on a project is the cost where are included all expenses. Without knowing full price everything looks great. PV energy need and the life expectation, insurance on home and other. I see that 42 panels generated 47 kwh on one of the days, and this is 1.12 KWh/day per each panel with power 0.457 KW. These show very low performance.
Your name is interesting
Let's discuss your solar goals:
practicalpreppers.com/consultation/
Get a quote for a Sinclair Sky Rack 2.0:
practicalpreppers.com/product/sinclair-ground-mounts/
Get an EMP hardened DIY kit:
practicalpreppers.com/product/diy-emp-hardened-19kw-solar-kit/
Our pressure canners are back in stock and in fun new colors!
bit.ly/3IdOgWJ
I hope you get a refund for your professional fees since you can't use them for your work.
Wut?
Too bad you topped this system off with this Chinese made, high frequency, transformerless inverter with its poorer surge capacity and shorter life expectancy, when compared to a high quality low frequency, transformer based inverter charger.
look like a server rack will work for the batterys
Yes, it's just matching up one that works well for 3.5U batteries. Hoping this manufacturers interact together with their racks
True Wiring always sucks on racks Thanks for the reply.