Beginning of off grid cabin suitcase 150 watt solar kit.

[BanjoTX]

My little 288 sq. ft. off grid cabin in far west Texas. This a 150 watt suitcase kit that I've had for a small camper and made an adjustable ground wood frame for it. Currently working on a 600 watt adjustable solar array to go with the existing 150 watt system. Have 3-100 ah renogy batteries and a 60 amp renogy controller and a cheap 3000 watt inverter.Have a dedicated 7' X 6' interior wall with shelving for the batteries and inverter and stuff. Need to back to the cabin next month to install the new solar array.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Slick.

Don't get too hung up on the adjustment. I made my array adjustable, and I've never been compelled to adjust it. The colder operating temps in the winter help offset the power loss due to the decreased sun.

This was my array on the winter solstice:



2600W out of a 2970W rated array (88% rated).

35° latitude, 30° tilt, sun is 53.5° from perpendicular.

Winter weather (clouds, rain, snow) is a bigger driver of power output than angle unless you're in extreme latitudes... then everything just sucks.

 

[BanjoTX]

Little brother did most of the cutting and assembly of this new steel adjustable array from left over parts but mostly my design and liked the adjustable abilities, we spend about every other month at the cabin or 6 months a year. I like having to easily change the angles on the original wood array and the new steel array will be easier yet to adjust. I'm seeing a 30 degree angle change from Dec. to June. Something to do.?
Latitude 29.329439

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Little brother did most of the cutting and assembly of this new steel adjustable array from left over parts but mostly my design and liked the adjustable abilities, we spend about every other month at the cabin or 6 months a year. I like having to easily change the angles on the original wood array and the new steel array will be easier yet to adjust. I'm seeing a 30 degree angle change from Dec. to June. Something to do.?
Latitude 29.329439

Mostly just encourage you to keep your expectations low. E-W tracking with multiple daily adjustments can really get you juiced.

Easy to adjust is key. Mine would take me about 15 minutes as portions need to be unbolted and moved, but when I'm only losing 12%, I'm just not bothering.

Looks slick though.

 

[BanjoTX]

I get that about the expectations. Just to have some options and a few angle changes during the year. Noticing the sun rise and sun sets during the winter and summers is interesting with no obstructions and a happy medium with a south south west direction of the solar array. Easy angle change with no tools.

 

[BanjoTX]

Just got back home after 28 days at my off grid cabin, under construction and testing new 12 volt 600 watt solar array. Solar array survived 60 mph sustained winds. My green wall solar power, 3-100 amp Lipo batteries parallel and Renogy 60 amp charge controller. Powering electrical grid, ceiling fan/light, receptacles, microwave, toaster, mini refrigerator, small water pump, am fm radio, counter top ice maker, 2.5 gal heat on demand heater.

 

[Bluedog225]

Nice place

 

[oldmaninsaline]

Old school trick if you do want to adjust it is glue a toothpick or dowel rod to the frame of the panel(s) and adjust it so there's no shadow. Dowel is best since it's easier to glue at a 90 degree angle.

 

[BanjoTX]

Had a couple cloudy rain days, so switched the frig back to propane to allow the batteries to fully recharge. Oddly my Lipo battery charger died and not able to use the generator with charger for auxiliary source. Everything else was was fine on solar.