Convert EV battery to Storage

Ws6

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Mar 7, 2008
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Okay, my Dad bought about 50 solar panels and is wondering how he can cram that energy into an EV battery. Is there an interface kit or something being made, or is this a DIY only proposition? I really don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone knows of a simple kit/plan/company that handles this. Thanks! He got them for about $150. GRAPE solar panels, 10-15 years old, 190 watt per panel, 36V.
 
Okay, my Dad bought about 50 solar panels and is wondering how he can cram that energy into an EV battery. Is there an interface kit or something being made, or is this a DIY only proposition? I really don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone knows of a simple kit/plan/company that handles this. Thanks! He got them for about $150. GRAPE solar panels, 10-15 years old, 190 watt per panel, 36V.
A ticking time bomb.
 
Hmm, not sure I’d want a junked EV battery inside my house. Just say’n. If you do, better let the house insurance people know.
It wouldn't be in his house. Dedicated off site. Further, I dont see the issue as tons of people buy them and replace their EV batteries in Teslas etc.
 
..... tons of people buy them and replace their EV batteries in Teslas etc.
Whoa, I don't think that's true. A few people have replaced batteries in Teslas - with batteries from Tesla, but there is no cottage industry (yet) in rebuilding Tesla batteries, let alone DIYers rebuilding Tesla batteries. I own a Tesla and I sure wouldn't.

But aside from that, you may be onto a good thing. Solar panels could be used to charge an EV (my daughter and S-I-L do this). Tesla would cheerfully sell you a large stationery battery for energy storage. And you could convert all that DC to AC (don't ask me for the details, I've already told you more than I know) to supply your house, and sell any excess to the power company.
 
Whoa, I don't think that's true. A few people have replaced batteries in Teslas - with batteries from Tesla, but there is no cottage industry (yet) in rebuilding Tesla batteries, let alone DIYers rebuilding Tesla batteries. I own a Tesla and I sure wouldn't.

But aside from that, you may be onto a good thing. Solar panels could be used to charge an EV (my daughter and S-I-L do this). Tesla would cheerfully sell you a large stationery battery for energy storage. And you could convert all that DC to AC (don't ask me for the details, I've already told you more than I know) to supply your house, and sell any excess to the power company.
I’ve torn them down… good luck with rebuilding…
 
Okay, my Dad bought about 50 solar panels and is wondering how he can cram that energy into an EV battery. Is there an interface kit or something being made, or is this a DIY only proposition? I really don't want to reinvent the wheel if someone knows of a simple kit/plan/company that handles this. Thanks! He got them for about $150. GRAPE solar panels, 10-15 years old, 190 watt per panel, 36V.
Is this some off-grid isolated location that doesn't have homeowners insurance or permits to pull? How many kWH is he trying to store? There are better battery options than what you are talking about. I've had an off-grid PV/battery building for 15 years.
 
The obvious answer is to use the panels to charge an EV more or less directly.

Finding a used EV battery in safe reusable condition will be difficult. And it's a one-off project based on the characteristics of that particular battery. So that really doesn't exist.

Buying everything new, the panels are not the majority cost of a solar project especially an off-grid one.
* Mounting the panels in the sun. Even what seems simple attaching to an existing structure, there is a substantial amount of material and labor required.
* Wiring.
* Power conversion equipment.
* Batteries if off grid.
 
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