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So I recently applied for an interconnection agreement with our local power company. It took a few weeks for any type of response, then I was asked to fill out some additional paperwork after they had reviewed my application. I was told they would have a response within 10 business days, then...

We picked up a GEM car a couple years back for cruising around town and trying to get grandpa out for some fun while he still can. It had relatively new batteries when we got it so I reluctantly used those for a while, but whenever we let grandpa use it, he'd forget things due to beginning...

Bumped into this deal: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124397245729? It appears there other sizes as well, but make sure you use the SPRINGSAVE20 coupon code. Seems like a great deal for smaller systems.

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2024-02-27-california-sierra-snowstorm-blizzard-feet-of-snow Just wondering if any of the members are getting ready for this 'large' storm to hit, we're in Reno and the news ranges from inches to feet of snow with upwards of 70mph of wind. Power company...

For those of us with hybrid inverters and/or any “sensitive electronics” which is seemingly anything and everything these days, this feels like very cheap insurance. There are many options from many companies, in this case I just grabbed an off the shelf surge protector from Square D that...

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Generally speaking I'm incredibly happy with my Sol-Ark and SOK batteries, I've just run into one issue and currently can't point the finger either direction so I'm at a bit of an impasse. Hoping to get some valuable feedback from other members with the same setup, or @HighTechLab (I've got a...

Who can identify this battery? Trophy?

I've got a total of (16) Tigo TS4-A-F modules for sale, I purchased all of them on eBay and ended up with more than I need. I did't realize until today that (11) of them don't have the metal "clips" that secure them to your solar panels. This could easily be just DIY'ed and bolted on, or I'm...

Anyone have any ideas of how to calculate true ROI, including time of use rates? With my Sol-Ark and the PV Pro app I can input a single price, which is better than nothing but certainly skips the nuances I’d like to include. I also have Solar Assistant but haven’t found a way to pull it off...

As a whole I love my little Chargeverter, I just wish it had some form of communication or a relay to enable/disable, and silent fans, then I'd call it perfect ;) I just snagged a big new GenMax 10,500w tri-fuel inverter generator and I've noticed a "problem" - if I connect the Chargeverter to...

We’ve completed our first month “off grid” while still grid connected. 6.6kw of “not super efficiently” pointed panels, a Sol-Ark 15k and 15kWh of SOK batteries. We’ve overproduced almost every day and the excess has gone into charging my Tesla via the smart loads output. We made a bit over...

Lets start by saying I fully understand this wouldn't be considered the safest way to go, I'm aware of the risks involved across the board. Solar is my primary, but we're coming into winter and who knows, let's say a big storm comes through and knocks out power for a week, solar production is...

Probably a super specific question here, but I'm tinkering with using Home Assistant to get all of our smart devices into a single app/control center. As I set up a new "dashboard" or "view" yesterday I added gauges to keep an eye on the pertinent solar data and I thought I was good to go, but...

Really just sharing an update for those that haven't seen the system and may need a bit of motivation. It sounds like a lot, but it's certainly possible to power your own home without any sacrifices. Initially the system was to be an EG4 18Kpv, that didn't work out so it became a Sol-Ark 15k...

Forgive me for being lazy, I’m sure I could just call Sol-Ark and get an answer but hopefully this can help someone else long term. Additionally hopefully we can get a solid answer from both companies as the 15k and 18k are popular units. I fully understand you could just parallel two banks of...

I recently purchased (16) 445w Canadian Solar panels from Solar Steals and wanted to provide an update for everyone. I paid $2,880 with free shipping and no tax, I felt it was a pretty darn good deal all things considered. Shipping took a bit longer than I expected, not the actual shipping...

Anyone planning to go? I’m thinking I’ll head down for a few days and see what’s new and exciting. Wondering if anyone else is planning to attend. Basically a big renewable energy convention. https://www.re-plus.com/

Without further context, would the differing colors on the back side of these modules bother you, or be an indication of an existing or upcoming issue with the panel as a whole? They are used (obviously), but in theory not all that old. You’ll notice darker modules, and ones that are lighter...

Looking for a “smart car charger”, and by that I mean a charger with some form of app that can communicate with my Sol-Ark, or even SOK batteries. Thought process being that I want to dump excess solar into my Tesla, but I don’t want to have to continually remember to go out there and plug it...

Looking for educated opinions! It’s looking like I’ll only be able to fit 15 of the 16 panels I’ve ordered on our pergola. That said, I have to split them into two strings instead of 8s2p it’ll be one in 8s, one in 7s. Roughly 10 amps max per string. Probably a total of 60-70 feet back to the...

Long story short: I built a big steel pergola four years ago and finally realized I should throw solar panels on it. Scroll down for pictures, it's still a work in progress. If you're bored and into solar like I am, read the back story. Back Story Years back I built this pergola in our back...

SOLD

I've been poking around each aspect of my install to ensure I'm not going to upset an inspector in the near future and when it comes to ESS, I'm confused. Per this well written article, which sums up the codes relating to ESS, I'm trying to define what the "20kWh max each" means...

I've got a good sized pergola I built in our back yard, it was never built with the intention of attaching solar but with the price of panels dropping so much over the last few years I'm considering redoing the roof. So this begs the question, just how bad would my solar production be with...

I’ve got a 1.6kw array on my contractor trailer that spends most of its time parked, very little consumption. It’s not much but generally produces about 10kWh/day in the summer, I’d rather use it than lose it. I’ve got a Sol-Ark 15k in the house. What’s the most elegant solution to use excess...

I take no joy in writing this, I sincerely wanted to love this new inverter and to support an active business on the forum, but I cannot sit silently and pretend this unit is "flawless" and anywhere near ready for the real world. I am not alone, I have received many messages from other members...

Any brilliant ideas on how to send excess power from an existing small Victron system mounted to a trailer to my home based EG4 18Kpv? Trailer has 1.6kw of solar on roof, uses very little of it when parked. It has a Multiplus-II 3000/48, 150/35 charge controller and CerboGX. What is the most...

I’ve got an excellent condition, almost new Victron 150/85 VE.Can charge controller for sale, or possibly trade. Why sell? It’s in my contractor camper and is far too big for the 1,600w array on the roof and just takes up extra space. Here’s the story on the trailer and pictures of the unit...

6 string solar combiner box from Amazon for sale. Well reviewed, just didn't end up using it. Brand new. $100 shipped to your door. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N96GJFT

Sold

Howdy there! I just upgraded our main service from 100a>200a. I would have considered putting the entire house on the 18kpv, but I didn’t have anywhere realistic to put the batteries. So I went with a 100a critical loads panel that has 90% of the home loads in it. Inverter is in the garage...

I’ll be installing my new EG4 18Kpv over the next week or so, and have a code question in regards to PV wiring. Home install, panels on the roof. Using Tigo rapid shutdown. I’ll be running EMT from Soladeck on roof to inverter (through a Wireway). I have (4) 100ft rolls of black 10awg PV...

I'll be wiring up the new EG4 18kpv in the next week or two and I'm torn on battery cabling solutions. I almost exclusively use Polar Wire for my battery cabling, it's just a LOT nicer to work with and their ampacity ratings are significantly higher than most off the shelf wire. It's very...

I’ve got a 12x7 contractor camper with an 8 foot ceiling I use for low voltage work during the week and camping trips here and there, today I checked the Victron VRM portal and an all black trailer parked in the 92 degree sun with the mini split set at 72 is pulling 300w to stay cool. Amazing...