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Mike Curran

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Posted By Mike Curran 03-19-2024 11:03 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Also, extreme gerrymandering has given Republicans a permanent majority in both Ohio's legislative houses. ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE ------------------------------
Posted By Mike Curran 02-26-2024 03:00 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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IMO, the best home generators are made by Honda. But they are relatively expensive compared to what else is out there. Her choice somewhat depends on what loads she wants to support during an outage. If she needs something that her electronics can accept, Honda offers some 2000 watt inverter generators ...
Posted By Mike Curran 01-18-2024 07:38 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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I'm not suggesting the PV system be capable of charging the EV's battery. All I'm saying is that an EV battery (via a 240VAC connection) might be a better option for additional backup power (rather than a bigger stationary battery) for those with home PV systems that already incorporate a backup battery. ...
Posted By Mike Curran 01-18-2024 04:06 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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For those of us with PV systems that have a generator input for charging batteries and load support (during outages for grid-tied systems), a vehicle with 240V split phase output would be ideal. I believe the Cybertruck incorporates this feature. I wish other manufacturers would do this without requiring ...
Posted By Mike Curran 01-01-2024 04:51 PM
Found In Egroup: Ask a Renewable Energy Expert
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"Does this mean that anyone who has electric heating, incandescent lighting, electric stoves, or space heating has to have a generator run by propane or another petroleum fuel if they are off-grid?" No. If you have enough solar resource and a large enough battery, any amount of extra loads can be supported ...
Posted By Mike Curran 07-12-2023 07:06 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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I do that. The cold air return plenum in the basement has a finned register that we keep open, draws in cool basement air (which is dehumidified, too) and distributes it thoughout the house. We put the furnace fan on to do this. ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE --------------- ...
Posted By Mike Curran 07-05-2023 01:18 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Our house is partially surrounded by trees and we're in a rural area so it often cools down enough at night to open the windows in the back bedrooms and run a window fan at the opposite end of the house. By morning it's almost cool enough that the A/C doesn't come on until late in the day, if at all. ...
Posted By Mike Curran 07-05-2023 01:17 PM
Found In Library: Everything Solar Forum
Posted By Mike Curran 06-28-2023 09:42 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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This thread https://community.ases.org/discussion/solar-panel-upkeep-and-maintenance mentions your issue. Perhaps Ken Nadsady may be able to point you in a helpful direction? ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE ------------------------------
Posted By Mike Curran 06-03-2023 12:05 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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I had similar results for May, best May ever for PV here in NE Ohio. Not as good as yours Bill but I have some shading issues and (I believe) less capacity at 16.5kw. Total net export for May was 891 kwh ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE ------------------------------
Posted By Mike Curran 05-15-2023 02:05 PM
Found In Egroup: Ask a Renewable Energy Expert
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I'm going to disagree with Bill on this one. The off grid guys I know (through the Outback Power user forum) all pretty much use their systems to run well pumps, A/Cs (many are in warm climates), even large power tools. The secret is in having an inverter sized large enough to handle the starting current. ...
Posted By Mike Curran 05-03-2023 09:25 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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"In person though, the Lucid is absolutely beautiful." Yeah, saw one in a Bed Bsth & Beyond parking lot a couple months ago. These pics don't do it justice. ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE ------------------------------
Posted By Mike Curran 03-27-2023 09:46 AM
Found In Egroup: Ask a Renewable Energy Expert
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Yesterday at noon my grid power returned after being off for around 20 hours, the result of a severely windy Saturday (3/25) here in NE Ohio. I have two battery backup systems (one supports a wood-fired hydronic heating system that cannot be allowed to freeze in winter) and they got me through this period ...
Posted By Mike Curran 03-21-2023 02:33 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Another article about it: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/03/20/first-community-solar-installation-goes-live-in-puerto-rico/ Really encouraging! ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE ------------------------------
Posted By Mike Curran 03-14-2023 12:39 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Nice job Kyle. My only comment is that on meters that measure both import and export, export is usually not exactly what your panels are producing, since some of that production gets consumed by your house. Other than that, good work! ------------------------------ Mike Curran Retired EE --------- ...
Posted By Mike Curran 03-06-2023 10:43 AM
Found In Library: Everything Solar Forum
Posted By Mike Curran 03-06-2023 10:43 AM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Fyi there are no CTs in my Enphase system. Works by some sort of powerline communication between micros and gateway. Wifi provides data to the app on your phone, tablet or PC, and connection between gateway and web (edit) is hardwired. App totals the energy produced from all the micros so noCTs are needed. ...
Posted By Mike Curran 03-03-2023 06:19 PM
Found In Library: Everything Solar Forum
Posted By Mike Curran 03-03-2023 06:19 PM
Found In Egroup: Everything Solar Forum
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Enphase offers a gateway device (I think the app is called Enlighten) that communicates with each microinverter and gives lots of data. I have their M215 micros (pretty old tech) on my barn roof. Screenshot from today (not a good solar day here) attached and more available at https://enlighten.enpha ...