Building a Solar System for Powering the Homestead

TLDRIn this video, we discuss the solar system built for powering a homestead, including the setup and its capabilities.

Key insights

🌞A solar system with 12 100W panels was built to power the entire homestead.

💡The system includes an inverter to convert the battery power to usable AC power for appliances.

The system is able to power major appliances like the washer and dryer, fridge, and even the well pump.

🔋The battery bank consists of eight 100 amp-hour AGM batteries.

🌽The solar system is also used to power irrigation equipment for the garden.

Q&A

How much did the solar panels cost?

The 12 100W panels were purchased for about $98 each, totaling less than a dollar per watt.

What is the capacity of the battery bank?

The battery bank consists of eight 100 amp-hour AGM batteries, providing a total capacity of 800 amp-hours.

Can the system handle heavy loads?

The system is designed to power major appliances like the washer and dryer, fridge, and even the well pump, making it capable of handling heavy loads.

How long will the batteries last?

The lifespan of the batteries will depend on usage and maintenance. Used batteries were used for this system, so their lifespan may be shorter than new ones.

Can the solar panels provide power during cloudy days?

While the panels may not produce as much power during cloudy days, the battery bank can store excess power for use during low production periods.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction and background of the solar system being built for the homestead.

02:32Detailed explanation of the components of the solar system, including the solar panels, inverter, and battery bank.

05:36Testing the system by powering various appliances and circuits in the shop and house.

11:59Running the well pump to test the system's capability of handling heavy loads.

13:15Monitoring the system's performance and observing voltage and load fluctuations.