Hold the turkey.
Technical Talk
Solar Power 101
Let’s start things off with good ol’ sunshine. The sun produces a massive amount of solar energy. Luckily for us, we have an atmosphere and a magnetic field that block much of this energy… If not, we would be a bunch of cooked turkeys! What makes it though? It is said that on a full sun day at high noon there is approximately 1,000 watts per square meter of solar energy. With solar panels that are available today, they collect about 18% of this potential power. Nothing to be sad about, that’s plenty. Especially when you create a solar array (hook um all together, all fancy like.)
The nuts and bolts of an off-grid system: In looking at it simply, the way a solar system works is the panel uses solar energy to produce electricity. This is then sent to a charge controller that does pretty much what it sounds like it would do, it regulates the charging of the batteries. The batteries take and store this energy and send it on to the inverter, where it is converted into electricity that your home appliances would use. In summary, there are 4 main components in an off grid system: solar panels, a charge controller, batteries, and an inverter.
Like I (Michelle) said, with a pencil.
What’s that you say? Lot’s of pieces and parts that could break? What if it takes a shit in the middle of a snowstorm?! “IDLH!” That’s first responder speak for Imminent Danger to Life and Health! Wait! That’s a real bad place to be, by golly. Death to all occupants! NOPE. The equipment is extremely reliable. The system has been in place for about 16 years now and we have never lost power. Think about it, how many times in the last 16 years have you lost power to your grid tied home. I’m no gambling man, but I bet it’s more than zero….
Do we have backup systems? Sure do! But we have yet to use them in that sense.
Feel the power! With the addition of the 12 panels on the barn, the array is now capable of producing a max of just under 5,000 watts. Of course, that’s absolute max using the panel data plates (If you are a solar junky, I’m not counting momentary cloud magnification, so please don’t blow me up on that). The highest charge rate I have seen displayed thus far has been 4,100 watts at the charge controllers. We will discuss factors that drive real world production compared to system max at a later date….
To put it into perspective, the generator has a real power output of 4,800 watts. The solar array can almost match this with nothing but sunshine and chirping birds. That’s like a billion miles per gallon, plus infinity!
If you have never thought about power consumption in watts before, an LED lightbulb uses about 8 watts…. A space heater is about 1,000…. A home AC system, around 12,000 watts (depending on size). In relation to home lighting and other appliances, there is ample power produced. There are limitations though. The system cannot support the huge power suck of central AC. Luckily for us, air conditioning isn’t needed at elevation in the Black Hills!
Please don’t let that scare you off from investing in solar! If you are considering a grid tied system you can still benefit. You can significantly offset your power bill and use the grid to drive your larger loads as needed. Your house would still function as it does today.
I’ll see you when the sun comes up - Nate