Double the Power - Installing More Solar Panels (Off Grid)
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
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We've been meaning to tackle this project for the last six months but other renovation work has so far taken priority. But blessed with some beautiful winter weather we took the opportunity to tick this small project off the list.
For the last three years we've run all our electrical needs with a 2.4kW off grid solar array. Now that we cook on induction and have a heat pump and underfloor heating system, we need more power.
Lovely stuff! I would strongly advise you add some ballast (anything heavy really) on those pallets to counteract lifting forces from strong winds.
Yeah, flying solar panels are not going to increase the energy. Bent rebar pegs buried deep will work at least temporarily.
Good comment. Read my mind!
I was just chuckling to myself... those panels would be in the next county within a week if I tried a temp setup like that. It must be lovely to live in a place where one doesn't have to worry about constant wind.
This is one of the most inspiring RUclips channels and it's because of you two talented people who are down to earth and zero fuss, just very real👍🤗
It is a good feeling when you are able to tick something off the to do list, isn't it.? Nice to watch you again.
Congratulations on a very purposeful project ~ bring on the power!💛💚
A big thank you for doing all the environmentally conscious things you do 💚 👌🏻
Taking advantage of the power of sunny Portugal is such a good idea.
Although I shouldn't and mostly don't, I'm always compelled to share your expertise on other reno channels I watch. 😁 Thank you for all of the great information. If I ever have my own off the grid house, which is unlikely, you'll get a call from me!!
Well done. This looked so simple to put together. 🥰thank you for sharing your work 🥰
That should make a big difference, well done and it works.❤❤
One of the BIG things that makes living "off-grid" is the technology that exists today--solar panels and the electrical storage systems. I am impressed by those on RUclips who take the BEST things from our current culture and uses them to create an alternative way of living. Bravo!
I am making winter hats and gloves while you are dressed in t-shirts. That gives me joy and hope😁
You guys get so much done and I can't even paint my bedroom.
Well done
Good to see you outside ❤
Hope these side project's bring you great satisfaction
Another job done 👌And you're in t-shirts and I see a blossom on the tree 🎉
Y’all are so smart, I would like to have a bit of solar for backup power when grid will have trouble!
I really enjoyed this video. You explained it very well. And you make it look easy. You two are looking much more relaxed. I am happy about that. Brava Bravo
Great job of using what you’ve got on hand ❤️
Great result from not a lot of effort - amazing what brain-power mixed with planning can achieve! Congratulations on another episode on your journey!
You're really inspiring. Just do stuff, one learns along the way and improve all the time. Love all your videos
Would love a bit of a q&a around the energy set up. Peak delivery, adjusted tilt or not, how you cope in summer months vs winter. Impact on bills, cost, how the heat pump is working off it. Feed in tariff or not... 😊
For you to know, G&K are running off grid.
We’ll probably do a data analysis etc once we have more data. At the moment we’re not using much energy so after next winter will probably make more sense.
If you’ve not seen it there are a couple of videos that detail our entire setup (all off-grid)
Thanks! I've seen them, and keen on the update. Will stay tuned 😀@@MAKEDOGROW
A+ Solar Build Out
Hi you Aussie and Brit! Hi you lot, a s Mr Toad would say. I know nothing of solar panels but like learning. I am glad we will have cooking videos in future. I look forward to it all. Guy, your video skills soar. 😊
Hi, Kylie and Guy. You have the power! Well done❤️❤️
We love how you both work and learn so many new skills together. A real partnership and real life lesson for others. Maria e Rowan
there has been some developments on vertical panels that actually generate more power per square metre and they can be situated as fences/privacy screens? Less Maintenance too.
Solar is the way to go, great video.
Good work, every progress is a bit on the way to finish. Stay positive and enjoy that its one less on to do list. 🙂
Thanks for sharing another video. I think it is brilliant u are autonomous in terms of electricity. Bills used to be ridiculous for electricity when i lived there. Anything to stick it to the utility companies there. They deserve every bit of stick they get!
Great accomplishment! Have a wonderful day.
wooden pallets are so recyclable. our heating pellets are delivered on them, and then i use them for many this and thats
Congratulations on the work done.
Good to see you both back fully into your dream Reno... It's all coming together and wifey and I are looking forward to seeing the new add on with the solar panels and how effective it is 🤔 Respect to you both, avid fans and followers of your channel, best regards Marco and Maria 👊🍻🍷
Are you guys still using starlink 🤔 I bought the system, not used it yet lol... still in it's box ready for when me and the Mrs take the plunge and start our off-grid living and for sure we've learnt a lot of you guys, big fans, Marco and Maria 👊🍻
Yes, still use it and love it. The cost dropped from €65/m to €40/m which has been an added bonus
Power, you guys will need it with all the projects you have planned. You make it look so easy.
Hugs from 🇨🇦
Nice crimpers! And nice kW output. Our array in our Brooklyn rooftop is 6.2kW 😀 Eric
*Wow more solar panels for more power... awesome 🙂nz*
Chickens love the shade❤
Great stuff. It’s always good to be able to tick things off. Yahoo
Love you guys!
Great video, can’t help thinking that a couple of chickens sitting behind the panels isn’t going to be enough ballast to keep the panels steady if the wind picks up! 🐓🐓
So nice to see the girls 🐓❤
you two never cease to amaze me, theres kylie oi guy im doing the connecting of the mc4's kudos to the pair of you long may you thrive in your endevours :) :)
You are such troopers. Well done. Xxx
Thank you very much for sharing take care great video All the best
Thanks for sharing 👍
You guys made that look simple.
At some point you may want to increase your battery capacity to store the extra power, but I'm sure that you regulate the heavy uses (mostly things with electric motors) so that they happen more during daylight, and not all at once. Even in midwinter, your heat pump can draw on its stored heat during the night if necessary.
Temporary or not gotta love that solar power.
😢 waited all week for u two
Good job and free
I spy with my little eye a sat network antenna on the roof of the shed, correct?
In any case take care and dont loose yourself in all that "must be done", wellbeing should No. 1 on the priority list.
Starlink .. it’s been a life saver (there’s a whole video on the install 😀)
@@MAKEDOGROW Oh, guess i jumped on the bandwagon after that and was too lazy backtracking.
Will do the homework.
BR
Kjell
Im desperate for solar but in the Uk were we had it and it only cost £7000 was ok, but in France where we live now, they quoted £26,000. Ouch.
We very lite users 3kw but i would like a dip pool so 5kw is probably going to be wise, but that quote makes me feel queezey. 😅
Your both doing an amazing job. Xx
Boa tarde foi uma optima opçao os paineis solares tudo é bem mais fácil con energia solar.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH 👍👍👍
Enjoy see any bit of progress. Short videos are just as good as long ones.
Can you have cats update one day? I love how you are cat people!
Good job. But please please ballast on the pallets! That’s one large sail. A strong north wind and it will be away
Great
Good job! Do you have strong north winds there? You might consider to add weight (concrete, etc) on the pallettes for more stability.
Was about to suggest that as well.
Recently Europe had massive storm like our hurricanes here in Virginia with massive wind speeds. Do you have a way of making sure that these sun panels stay put during such events? I know they are rare storms but could happen in the future!
Nice short update. More battery's needed? Not that I have a clue about solar.
We added extra batteries last year… and probably will add another couple before next winter
Do you have full cell panels or half cells which have bypass diodes for cells that are not performing as well as the others?
You showed those 6 panels all in series and it's good you trimmed the tree as any shadow it casts will affect all 6 panels, as will any dirt on them.
But i have a question about your three separate panels that are all at a slight angle to each other. I presume they are in series and I think that they will run at the performance of the panel with the least output - so they are always hurting each other - wouldn't making them line up to the middle one ALWAYS improve the output of the 3 combined?
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
Nice build! I saw quite a bit of shadow on the panels, was this the best position to put them?
Hi Guys have been following you since you started... Was wondering is there a reason why you don't get those panels installed on the roof of your house?
Might you get voltage drop off with excessive cable lengths? I know thats been a problem with my 12v campervan setup
Greetings from Palm Springs California! I have always assumed that you would live using mains power and use the solar as a supplement. But now that you have many panels I’m curious, will they eventually be installed on one of the roofs? Or do you have enough land for a solar garden? Thank you for sharing and best wishes always, Moody.🤓
Where I live, we have pretty strong winds from time to time.
This kind of setup woul not work there, I'd have the solar panels flying in no time! 😂.
Woohoo more power to your elbows 😊 do you have a battery bank and will you expand it as well?
Solar power & batteries
Do you need to ad more batteries?
How is the structure anchored to the ground, it looks vunerable to a strong wind?
What anchor system have you installed? Those solar panels will blow away in a good wind if not well tethered.
I know you don't get the extreme storms such as here in a NE Scottish winter, but there is still wind in Portugal I assume.
I wonder where are the cats that you kept, never see them?!
Interesting installation. What angle do you set your panels at typical 31.3 degreaser more skewed towards winter efficiency of 36.3 degrees?
Don’t you have losses due to the distance from the panels to the controller?
dumb question sorry your figures 5.3kw is that what you will generate per hour providing its consistently sunny? in uk average home uses 8kwh a day so does that mean you are generating 42.4kw based on 8hrs sunshine? or are you just using less electricity than average uk home? or have i just muddled myself ?
What about a follow up video on solar?
Would you say that setting up solar panels yourself is fairly easy with instructions?
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Can you tell me what type of solar panels you opted for? I’m building a home in Ireland and (if I have the money by the time it’s being roofed ) am aiming to have solar as part of my set up.
Thanks for the great videos. Would you let us know which solar supplier do you recommend in Portugal?
www.solarshop.pt/
Super nice guys!
Hi can advise where you bought the rails and brackets in Portugal
the 145 kph winds that occasionally hit my house would require a more robust setup 😅
Hi, Would be great if you could make another short video about starlink, I have checked one year ago it was arround 211 Megabits, could you do an upgrade video please? Since starlink is cheaper (40€) instead of 99€ and they did upgrade tons of satilites.
What? No feminine "Bye" at the end. I love that part.
Arent you guys missing a massive trick by not sharing where you are sourcing all materials in your description and posting affiliate links when relevant? As someone new to Portugal I definitely want to know where and through whom you are work with/buying from. Cheers!
I’m in the UK but even so I’d like to know all that too, as someone planning to do this stuff soon who isn’t technically minded and doesn’t have the first clue where to get started.
We have shared our supplier previously… www.solarshop.pt/
There really aren’t a lot of affiliates for the bigger things we buy, and the big global affiliate pays pennies. It is something we’ve considered, just haven’t gotten around to
Just wondering what climate issues you deal with there. I've been watching a couple of years and you've not talked about violent storms or heavy winds or hurricanes. That surprises me as close as you are to the coast to the West. It appears that your climate is fairly mild?
I’m am surprised you didn’t put them on the roof. Then you wouldn’t not have to mow around the solar panels.
👋🏼👍🏽👋🏼👍🏽👋🏼👍🏽
Great job, wish I could do something like that (am slightly too old for it though, my back would never survive that 🥲). But as an architect I have a small suggestion: since you need planning permission anyway for your carport and outbuildings, add a new outer staircase to the batch. The existing one is the one thing that I really find worth changing on your house….
Curious to know if "Faffing about with pallets" was considered as a title? Too click-baity!!! Nice work, and outdoors too. Cheers