I agree with Mr. Fitch. I live off grid, and have done so now for a little over 2 years. Doing this is a SERIOUS comittment in terms of time, money and effort. Despite what you may read, it is an ONGOING experience and it doesn't matter whose equipment you use. YOUR installation will be UNIQUE and have it's own quirks and issues, and it seems things NEVER stop popping up. You MUST understand every single piece of equipment that you own, and effectively memorize the operating and troubleshooting manuals. The last thing you want to do is start reading the manual when your system is shut down or in an "alarm" state!! This is not to say that there are no rewarding moments, but it's the "panic state" that exists from time to time that will remain etched in your mind forever!! Educate yourself. Know your system and it's components. OVERDESIGN your STORAGE and if possible combine some WIND with your SOLAR, and despite all that, include a backup generator because you WILL run out of battery when there is NO WIND, and NO SUN. If you plan your system properly, educate yourself on how to operate it, and do whatever periodic maintenance is required, you will no doubt end up a successful off-grid enthusiast!! If you're just getting into it, look into ATLAS solar. They have what I think is a reverse engineered version of the SOL-ARK, which I think is the best system ever designed for off gridding. And it's half the price of Sol-Ark, including LiFePo4 batteries. And NO, I have no connection to this company at all. It's just my opinion and the result of quite a bit of shopping and analysis.... GOOD LUCK!!
------------------------------
Joe Utasi
PV Solar Consultant
Cinci Home Solar, Keowee Home Solar, DIY Solar Helper
joe@cincihomesolar.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 01-25-2022 11:28 AM
From: william fitch
Subject: PV Fossil Free Residential Systems for Cold Mountain Climates
If you are high up in the mountains, you might have wind opportunities as well. There is no need to limit yourself to only one form of RE. You will often find depending on location, that when one is down the other is up. This is especially true on cold nights when solar is never present. IMHO, if one is to go off grid or be off grid if they have to, in climates where Winter is present, you had better have a VERY well insulated house. I personally don't like off grid for a whole host of reasons, at this point in time, but be careful because there is allot of press out there that makes it sound like a easy panacea. It is not. You are your own power company, 24/7/365, no matter what the weather, conditions, or equipment failures.. To be clear, I AM NOT saying it can't be done and or even done well, just approach it with very open and clear eyes... Diversify You RE production if you can.
------------------------------
william fitch
Owner
www.WeAreSolar.com
fcfcfc@ptd.net
Original Message:
Sent: 01-24-2022 04:25 PM
From: Paulette Middleton
Subject: PV Fossil Free Residential Systems for Cold Mountain Climates
Does anyone have experience with off-grid solar powered residences in a mountainous cold climate setting that do not use any fossils fuels for providing heat and power?