Major equipment purchase done, it’s time to think about the installation. The solar panels will be arriving in a day or two, and I plan to install them right away. Solar panels produce maximum power when the sun is perpendicular to … Continue reading →
Previously, we discussed the amount of power needed, and how that determines the size of the solar array. We also mentioned Days of Autonomy and how that informs battery storage. Now for Charge Controllers and Inverters — the brains that tie everything together. … Continue reading →
In a previous Project post, we determined our power needs – 1300 watt-hours per day to pump water. Now we can calculate the battery bank capacity, solar panel wattage, and inverter capacity needed for our installation. Let’s start with the panel … Continue reading →
If you’ve been following along, you’ve noticed several solar-powered projects here at Roy Creek Ranch. From a simple system to “top-up” the storage battery in the Teardrop trailer and upgrading it to make an off-grid camper, to powering my amateur radio … Continue reading →
After adding some solar power to our teardrop trailer, I realized how easy it would be to power part of my amateur radio station the same way. Solar panels and charge controllers had gotten relatively inexpensive, and with the addition … Continue reading →
In the post of April 17, 2008, I mentioned the addition of a second rainwater tank to the north tank farm. It was actually purchased and delivered last spring and has been sitting on a decomposed granite pad since then. … Continue reading →
There are various strategies for keeping the rainwater in your tanks clean, including filters, “roof washers” and so forth. No matter what though, you find that the water collects debris over time — especially when it’s stored for a while. … Continue reading →