The end of my solar hobby.

Mattb4 · May 9, 2023

As I prepare to mount my last solar panels and hook them up it strikes me that I have reached the point where there is nothing left to do. The months spent investigating, researching, planning, building, wiring, tearing out, re-doing and just generally occupying my attention, are drawing to a close once the final setup is up and working. At this point it just transitions to routine maintenance and repair. My system meets the needs I am putting it to. It works.

Sorta sad.

I will have to transition to a new hobby (not yet envisioned) that can fulfill the time.

Where do you go from solar?

Tulex · May 9, 2023

I thought staring at the inverter screen was the next step.

Sean Very North · May 9, 2023

.... wind

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

Yeah, now comes the fussing over good and bad solar days. Even if it makes no difference, I just like to yell at the big yellow one.

Mattb4 · May 9, 2023

Sean Very North said:
.... wind

Funny enough they just announced a major wind farm to be built in my County just a few miles from my place. Over 40 3 blade wind towers of 500 feet tall! Hard to imagine all that is going to take to accomplish in a rather remote mountainous region. Let alone how they will transmit the power.

500ft towers are a bit out of my reach.

SamDeleted · May 9, 2023

It's like watching the last episode of startrek next generation, wondering what you're going to do now with your life

My answer, start again , season 1, episode 1

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

Mattb4 said:
Where do you go from solar?

With your hard earned knowledge, have you considered working for SignatureSolar? They are hiring.

Tulex · May 9, 2023

cs1234 said:
With your hard earned knowledge, have you considered working for SignatureSolar? They are hiring.

That actually made me chuckle.

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

Mattb4 said:
Funny enough they just announced a major wind farm to be built in my County just a few miles from my place. Over 40 3 blade wind towers of 500 feet tall! Hard to imagine all that is going to take to accomplish in a rather remote mountainous region. Let alone how they will transmit the power.

500ft towers are a bit out of my reach.

Maybe they will transmit the power as high voltage sparks between remote towers, Nikola Tesla style!

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

Tulex said:
That actually made me chuckle.

Thank you, I'm here all day. Literally.

Mattb4 · May 9, 2023

cs1234 said:
With your hard earned knowledge, have you considered working for SignatureSolar? They are hiring.

I heard that they don't like old people. Can't say that I blame them. My Father used to say when he was in his late 70'S, "I hate old people".

SparkyJJO · May 9, 2023

cs1234 said:
Yeah, now comes the fussing over good and bad solar days. Even if it makes no difference, I just like to yell at the big yellow one.

Dude, you're yelling at the wrong thing.

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

SparkyJJO said:
Dude, you're yelling at the wrong thing.

The sun is just being lazy, it could turn up production slightly and knock those clouds right out.

SamDeleted · May 9, 2023

cs1234 said:
The sun is just being lazy, it could turn up production slightly and knock those clouds right out.

Something something something global warming

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

SamG340 said:
Something something something global warming

You say that like it's a bad thing. It's getting hot in here!

OffGridInTheCity · May 9, 2023

Mattb4 said:
As I prepare to mount my last solar panels and hook them up it strikes me that I have reached the point where there is nothing left to do. The months spent investigating, researching, planning, building, wiring, tearing out, re-doing and just generally occupying my attention, are drawing to a close once the final setup is up and working. At this point it just transitions to routine maintenance and repair. My system meets the needs I am putting it to. It works.

Sorta sad.

I will have to transition to a new hobby (not yet envisioned) that can fulfill the time.

Where do you go from solar?

How about Rain Harvest? Runs pretty smoothly. We did 3 x 2500gal tanks, capture 2000sq ft run-off (of 2600sq ft home) and we get ~18,000gal / year. At 2,000g/month we go 9-10months on rain harvest with no conservation. Works almost as easily / smoothly as Solar.
Main Tank + First Flush (small skinny tank)

Pump Room on other side of wall from black tank.
Tank -> Pump -> Pressure Tank -> 20micron (filter) -> 5 micron (filter) -> Class A UV -> house.

Automated valves to switch between city and rain harvest with flick of button in the kitchen

Additional tanks for 3 x 2500gal. Little retaining wall to keep connecting pipe in dirt to retard freezing.

Final build-out with tanks, solar array, generator shed, and hopefully some grape vines

dcg9381 · May 9, 2023

Mattb4 said:
Where do you go from solar?

Backup power - generators
Backup power - hybrid inverters
Rain water collection
Figuring out how to power an EV from PV

That's how it happened for me.

SamDeleted · May 9, 2023

OffGridInTheCity said:
How about Rain Harvest? Runs pretty smoothly. We did 3 x 2500gal tanks, capture 2000sq ft run-off (of 2600sq ft home) and we get ~18,000gal / year. At 2,000g/month we go 9-10months on rain harvest with no conservation. Works almost as easily / smoothly as Solar.

Great project, I've been concerned about doing it because of all the chemicals in the rain , chem trails ect .

What kind of filtration are you using?

cs1234 · May 9, 2023

SamG340 said:
Great project, I've been concerned about doing it because of all the chemicals in the rain , chem trails ect .

What kind of filtration are you using?

Where I live they just add even more "chemicals" to it and charge you for it, vs rainwater. They say it's safe for drinking according to the yearly reports, but honest to goodness, it comes out of my tap yellow to outright brown sometimes. I'm ok bathing in it and washing dishes and such with it (the dish soap is already chemicals anyway). For drinking/cooking, I suggest distilling it, regardless of source.

Mattb4 · May 9, 2023

OffGridInTheCity said:
How about Rain Harvest? Runs pretty smoothly. We did 3 x 2500gal tanks, capture 2000sq ft run-off (of 2600sq ft home) and we get ~18,000gal / year. At 2,000g/month we go 9-10months on rain harvest with no conservation. Works almost as easily / smoothly as Solar.
Main Tank + First Flush (small skinny tank)

Pump Room on other side of wall from black tank.
Tank -> Pump -> Pressure Tank -> 20micron (filter) -> 5 micron (filter) -> Class A UV -> house.

Automated valves to switch between city and rain harvest with flick of button in the kitchen
View attachment 148513

Additional tanks for 3 x 2500gal. Little retaining wall to keep connecting pipe in dirt to retard freezing.

Final build-out with tanks, solar array, generator shed, and hopefully some grape vines

Did and done 25 years ago. I have 3-1500gal storage tanks that supply my water. They are buried to the top to prevent freezing. My garage/shop building roof (steel panel)is the collector and feeds the tanks .

The end of my solar hobby.

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

New Member

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

‎

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

(un)Certified Arc Generator

Solar Wizard

‎

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

Solar Enthusiast

‎

Solar Wizard

Solar Wizard

Similar threads