Renogy solar power install out building.

[ls1mike]

I have about 1200 dollars in the system. Renogry 400 watt premium. You have to buy the battery and inverter separately. Inverter has provisions for Romex. I installed a few outlets some shop lights. It was really easy. Nice to have power in this building. It gets direct sunlight all year. I might add another battery. Took about 10 hours total to install.

 

[ctechbob]

Simple, but effective, I like.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Tap into that big nuclear reactor up in the sky...

 

[ctechbob]

Tap into that big nuclear reactor up in the sky...

Indeed.

I power the mini-split in my master bedroom when we're not camping with my 1800 watt / 600ah system.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Indeed.

I power the mini-split in my master bedroom when we're not camping with my 1800 watt / 600ah system.

I power a house and a car in an area with sky high energy costs. The math made the solar project a no-brainer, but sometimes you get lucky... The ROI has far exceeded expectations.

 

[4WD]

Nice - but is that type of battery prone to fire?
Maybe a metal hot box or metal shield would protect your wall from spread …

 

[ctechbob]

Nice - but is that type of battery prone to fire?
Maybe a metal hot box or metal shield would protect your wall from spread …

The grey colored Renogy batteries are (mostly) AGM, so no.

Even if it is a Lithium, it would likely be a LifePO4, so no on that one as well.

 

[ctechbob]

I power a house and a car in an area with sky high energy costs. The math made the solar project a no-brainer, but sometimes you get lucky... The ROI has far exceeded expectations.

Our energy averages about $.15 /kwH, so pretty cheap, but I don't like it just sitting there and doing nothing when we're not using the camper. All of the Victron gear is rated for continuous use, so it just stays running 24/7/365.

 

[4WD]

Indeed.

I power the mini-split in my master bedroom when we're not camping with my 1800 watt / 600ah system.

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Wow - my new RV has just one roof panel but has the outer plug for the type by your propane bottles … Probably do that later but nice to at least have a system at all - and one that is expandable …

 

[ctechbob]

Wow - my new RV has just one roof panel but has the outer plug for the type by your propane bottles … Probably do that later but nice to at least have a system at all - and one that is expandable …

Yea, when I did my install I suffered from tremendous scope-creep. I started wanting something pretty simple, and ended up with...well...a lot. It was a really fun journey though.

Mine came with a 50 watt panel. And even that was wired incorrectly by the factory.

 

[ls1mike]

Energy is cheap in Washington state. (The only thing). I was going to install a new power panel and run power out there, but it was anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 dollars. Not worth it for that space. Solar was a really good option as we get direct sun all year. Now for my house in Washington if I installed solar, I would be dead before it started to pay for itself.

 

[ls1mike]

Yea, when I did my install I suffered from tremendous scope-creep. I started wanting something pretty simple, and ended up with...well...a lot. It was a really fun journey though.

Mine came with a 50 watt panel. And even that was wired incorrectly by the factory.

Scope-creep. It is a thing. I am already looking at upgrading this system. Maybe I will move into the shed.

 

[ls1mike]

When I say 10 hours that is start to finish with outlets, switches and shop lights wired up. The building has two closed in areas on either side. 7 feet by about 15 feet. I put lights in those spaces too. The actual Solar kit was like 4 and a half hours.

 

[GON]

Any pigeons in your area? We are taking a significant expense from pigeons nesting under our roof mounted solar panels.

Another BITOGER suggested roof mounted solar panels in areas with pigeons should install anti pigeon mesh between the solar panel and the roof- I fully concur.

 

[4WD]

Any pigeons in your area? We are taking a significant expense from pigeons nesting under our roof mounted solar panels.

Another BITOGER suggested roof mounted solar panels in areas with pigeons should install anti pigeon mesh between the solar panel and the roof- I fully concur.

You are always dabbling with real estate prices - there could be great opportunities if one can actually find a pigeon free region !
On the flip side don’t take your small dog outside !
(Reason there are no pigeons) …

 

[GON]

You are always dabbling with real estate prices - there could be great opportunities if one can actually find a pigeon free region !
On the flip side don’t take your small dog outside !
(Reason there are no pigeons) …

I am only recently learning about the issues pigeons may bring to a homeowner. Our current home has solar panels and pigeons, and out prior home also had solar panels and pigeons. I was slow to connect the dots.....

 

[ls1mike]

Any pigeons in your area? We are taking a significant expense from pigeons nesting under our roof mounted solar panels.

Another BITOGER suggested roof mounted solar panels in areas with pigeons should install anti pigeon mesh between the solar panel and the roof- I fully concur.

I can't remember the last time I saw a pigeon. I am not sure how they could fit, but I have seen some mesh kits.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Why not 12v lights?

 

[4WD]

I am only recently learning about the issues pigeons may bring to a homeowner. Our current home has solar panels and pigeons, and out prior home also had solar panels and pigeons. I was slow to connect the dots.....

Yep, saw the price tag as well
Our pigeons hang out at grain dryers - we have too many sparrows …

 

[Astro_Guy]

I have about 1200 dollars in the system. Renogry 400 watt premium. You have to buy the battery and inverter separately. Inverter has provisions for Romex. I installed a few outlets some shop lights. It was really easy. Nice to have power in this building. It gets direct sunlight all year. I might add another battery. Took about 10 hours total to install.

I power my mower shed with a similar setup, albeit with only a single 90 watt panel and a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery. You might want to think about 12 volt DC LED lighting. I typically only use the inverter to power the charger for an Ego brand string trimmer or the battery tender for the lawn tractor. I would be surprised if the inverter were powered up more than an hour a week on average over the course of a year. Inverters are very inneficient when running at low loads such as lighting.