Off Grid in Southern Utah

[plongson]

Not sure if you guys ever saw a picture of my setup. I posted it somewhere else some time back but it's not here so...here ya go!!

Been over one year totally on our own (11-2012 to 01-2013) and  it's great. Thanks to all at this site and the staff at Midnite for all the help and suggestions.

[TomW]

Sweet.

I am envious of you guys with the ability to make such a neat and clean install.

Mine tend to be much more crude  and usually grown in place.


I like the iron wildlife, too.

Tom

[dgd]

Wow!  Pristine and surgically clean installation, excellent work.
So inspiring it disturbs me when I look at my own installation - what a relief when Tom posted his pic.

Are those PVs on a tracker? they seem almost vertical compared to mine that are almost flat
(sorry just read your sig and they not)

dgd

[SolarMusher]

Very nice, I love it.
Just a little advice Paul, you'd better change these delta arrestors with midnite SPD. I've smoked two Outback VFX with this old Delta stuff.
Erik

[Vic]

Yep Paul,

A very,  very clean installation!

Great looking residence,  with those great distant vistas,  and also love the ferrous  wildlife.

Also love that beautiful genset.  Very nice work!  Have fun,  Vic

[Vern Faulkner]

I'd like it if you would be so kind as to show a picture of the back side of your module array: I'm struggling with some design challenges related to mounting modules, a nearby grove of trees, and this thing called winter.

[plongson]

Thanks for all the kind words. It's been a long road getting to where we are now. We bought the 20 ac property about 10 years ago and lived on it in the summer months in a travel trailer tending a small orchard of apples, pears and cherries, hence the large genset to pump water. There is not many neighbors (closest about a mile) and with no power we immediately found out we needed to get the trailer on solar. That is where I cut my teeth so to say...

As far as a clean install, I've been planning the entire project in my head for years so when you can start from scratch it makes it much easier to have a finished product from the get-go.

Hey SolarMusher, I know exactly what you are saying about the Delta arrestors. I've been thinking about getting rid of them too. What is involved in replacing them? Are they "sized" for the system? If I get that info, I'll call and order some up right away.

dgd, no tracker I just adjust the angle twice a year. Winter is as close to 52* as I can get and summer is suppose to be 14* at my latitude, although it makes such a great perch for the birds and consequently a place for them to poop, I keep the summer angle a bit steeper.

Vern, I will keep you in mind and get a picture as soon as I can. I used an Astro-energy top of pole mount for the array. It was designed for the panels and mounted on the top of a piece of 8" well casing I used for the pole. VERY well made and highly recommended.

Paul

[TomW]

plongson;

The Midnite Surge Suppressors are sized for the voltage they are on. 115, 300 and 600 volt models are in use here. AC or DC. They can be had for less than list from Arizona Wind and Sun.

You can read up on them here:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/products.php?menuItem=products&productCat_ID=23&productCatName=Surge%20Protection%20Devices

Tom

[dgd]

dgd, no tracker I just adjust the angle twice a year. Winter is as close to 52* as I can get and summer is suppose to be 14* at my latitude, although it makes such a great perch for the birds and consequently a place for them to poop, I keep the summer angle a bit steeper.

Paul

On a new commercial PV system  mounted on a hospital roof I noticed the topmost edges of the PVs had rubber strips. These were the rubber blades you see  on the bottom of doors that work as a weather strip to keep water from blowing in. About 40mm tall set vertical. Birds not happy trying to perch as blade not steady enough. I thought it was a great idea where access to panel not easy - to wash off dried bird poo.

dgd

[SolarMusher]

Hi Paul,
One SPD300 on PV side and one SPD300 on each AC leg in your Magnum panel (two for 240V), same knockout diameter as delta.
Very nice set up, you can be proud of your system!
Erik

[plongson]

Hey Erik, I saw another show on NATGEO about mushers and their dogs. A guy hand building sleds for competition and everyday use, guys training sled dogs and lots of other cool stuff. Made me think of you. Got any pictures of you and your dogs?? I think that's way cool...

[SolarMusher]

Hey Paul,
My files were too large, I try it again.
Build my own sleds too... x10, three weeks for each  ! But 15 years after, they are still alive.
Send you a few pics.
Wish the best,
Erik

[SolarMusher]

Two more on James Bay, Northern Quebec.
Erik

[plongson]

That's absolutely amazing. The thought of those dogs, the sight and sounds of that all going on, dogs are wonderful creatures. We have 3 that we rescued from shelters and certain death, and they have become the best companions you can ask for. Mostly I prefer the company of dogs over most humans...LOL

[TomW]

Mostly I prefer the company of dogs over most humans...LOL

+1

Me too! We only have one dog, a rescue its like he knows we kept him from the executioner.



His name is Buddy and that is what he is. Loyal and the heart of a lion in a 40# canine.

Tom