The Solar Power Resilience Project at Roy Creek Ranch Over several years, we’ve built and expanded a multi-system solar installation at Roy Creek Ranch. In particular, a recent upgrade to the battery and inverter system significantly improved our resilience during … Continue reading →
Upgrading a Solar Power System It was time to upgrade the solar power system installed for the shop almost two years ago. I’ve been happy with original system, but it needed expansion as soon as funding permitted. I also wanted … Continue reading →
In a previous post, we selected a site, cleared trees and installed foundations. Now we were ready for framing. There were four 8-inch concrete piers defining the four corners of the array. The plan was to mount two 10-foot 4-by-4 … Continue reading →
Solar water pump for well—measured power consumption, battery capacity, inverter losses, and real-world off-grid system performance.
Continue reading →After testing our off-grid solar system, it became clear we needed more capacity. By adding solar panels, we improved charging performance, and expanded the system for real-world use.
Continue reading →Bringing all the pieces together, we assemble and test a complete off grid solar system—wiring panels, configuring the inverter, and proving it can run a real-world load.
Continue reading →Designing a solar battery bank isn’t just about capacity—it’s about balancing cost, weight, and real-world constraints. Here’s how we built a practical 48 volt battery system for our off-grid rainwater project.
Continue reading →Choosing the right solar inverter charge controller can make or break an off-grid system. This real-world project walks through sourcing a hybrid inverter, evaluating features, and navigating the challenges of overseas ordering and delivery.
Continue reading →Learn how to install solar panels on a shed for a small off-grid system, including mounting methods, wiring in series, and real-world voltage performance.
Continue reading →Learn how to optimize solar panel tilt and mounting for real-world performance. This off-grid rainwater project explores panel angle, seasonal adjustments, and practical installation decisions to improve solar output efficiently.
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