Solar Panel Update - angle adjustment / grounded

The solar panel installation is complete. The grounding wires and lightening arrestor were wired today and the angle of the panel was adjusted to soak up more of the sun's energy.



By adjusting the solar panel's angle from the above pic to the pic below, it resulted in a 21% increase in power output, which is where it will remain for the winter. I'm hoping this angle will be significant enough to help any snow buildup sluf off without my assistance.


Below is the addition of the grounding wire and the lightening arrestor and a few more pics of the panel.











Have a great weekend!

Solar Panel / Power Center Pics and Video

So, I'm still getting familiar with my phones video capabilities and more often than not I forget to hold the camera the right way. So, just turn your monitor on end 90 degrees to get the intended effect. I didn't think the viewpoint was that bad, so I choose to have you guys deal with it instead of making another trip to the roof to re-shoot - I am not in love with heights!!!

This is a 230 watt Canadian Solar panel. It measures 65" x 39" and is a beast to manage alone.






The two bus bars in the video where the lights and cigarette lighter are wired into are the main hubs that distribute electricity to appliances. This is also where the inverters will tie into the system to power the occasional AC appliance. I am trying to purchase 12 Volt DC appliances to reduce power loss associated with the inverters and keep the system as small as possible. By selecting the proper 12 Volt DC energy efficient appliances up front you can save many dollars in the end by requiring fewer solar panels.

Case in point, the LED lights in the video use 1.2 watts per hour each. They will run for 50 hours on the same amount of energy one incandescent will require for one hour. To be transparent, it will probably take about six of the LED units to equal one incandescent from a brightness factor, so apples to apples you're looking at about 8 times more efficient. That said, in the evenings I have come to enjoy the softer light of one or two LED units running compared to a bulb that replicates lighting conditions at high noon.

Running 8 LED lights for five hours in the evening, 5 hours of laptop usage, cell phone charging, and cooking dinner in the crock pot for six hours (on an inverter), I require about 800 watts of power. I'm planning on the panel supplying around 1000 watts per day. The snap shot shows the panel kicking out 260 watts per hour (see pic below....volts x amps = watts), which is 30 watts above its rating....which I LIKE!!! Thus, with four hours of direct sunlight I have met and exceeded my quota.


Solar systems are interesting beasts. Batteries don't like the cold so much, but solar panels are most productive in the cold, as is evidenced above. And, the panel is probably 15 to 20 degrees off from facing the sun directly. I think it's time to build the brackets that will allow the solar panels to tilt and face the sun at the best angle at all times of the year! Did I say I'm loving this project????

a few more pics of the panel mounting...

Keep Going?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cakm2nIQWo&feature=player_embedded

this video is worth the time....well worth the time.

Thanks to Koda for putting me onto this!

Solar Panel Angle

We've been under rain, snow, and cloud cover for the last few days, which has prevented the solar panel installation on the roof in Logan. Today there was a couple hour break in the weather and it was game on! Pics will follow once the snow / rain stops again, making a return to the roof more safe and pleasant (I very much dislike heights).

Here's a useful link for determining the proper angle for your panels....

http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-angle-calculator.html

The power center (charge controller, inverters, breakers, bus bars, etc) construction will take place over the next few days. This project has been a sweet learning process and I have a feeling it's only just beginning!

Montello today.  Thanks for the pic Augie!

FREEDOM....

....go down the Jeep trail, turn right next Thursday.

Wendover - Montello - Augie (and family)

We returned yesterday from a three day journey through Wendover and Montello. Day one included an overnight stay in Wendover at the Montego Bay Hotel and Casino. I've only stayed at the Montego Bay and Rainbow. I highly recommend either property for their hotel rooms as they are equally as nice. However, the Montego Bay has larger rooms with king size beds! I happen to enjoy playing Craps and have come to love the entertainment value in Wendover. When in Wendover, swing into the Montego Bay and get a "Players Club Card". I picked one up in June on my first visit to Wendover. Since then they have sent me many offers for free rooms, meals, drinks, and tournament entries. Between these offers and gambling comps I have enjoyed rooms on multiple nights and many meals free of charge....and the Craps is always wonderful. The offers are usually for Sunday and Monday nights (when their traffic is usually low), but not always! The Montego has an outdoor pool and three hot tubs, which we all enjoyed. The Rainbow has an indoor pool and hot tub. Pets aren't welcome inside at either, but kids are. The weather was favorable so the dog spent the night in the truck. Both properties have restaurants that offer $5 all you can eat spaghetti with garlic bread and a $5 breakfast (two eggs, hash browns, bacon (or sausage or ham) and toast. I have dreams of living the off grid Montello life style 28 days a month with 2 days of pampering in Wendover for free!

Day two began with the $5 breakfast at Montego Bay's Paradise Grill, a quick visit with Mike of Hollerback Ostrich Ranch at the Family Dollar where he is assistant manager, a grocery stop at Smith's, and then the pleasant hour drive to Montello. After checking the post office for mail we ran into Curt and "Pee Wee Jr.". Cute new puppy! From Bill's directions I was able to find his new winter house in town. Nice place Bill!!! Next we filled up on water at the park and headed to the property for an afternoon of relaxing work. This days work included installing a couple of vent holes and a bit of electrical wiring. We grilled hot dogs for a quick and easy dinner and streamed some easy evening listening via Pandora.


Turns out Augie came out later that night, so we awoke in the morning and headed up to see him and his family after breakfast. Augie, we enjoyed hanging out with you guys on your property. It was great getting to know you and your family better while enjoying the view from a little higher up overlooking the valley. We look forward to more good times spent together!



Sorry we didn't have time to see everyone this trip. Perhaps we should plan another BBQ or something of the like so we can all get together, meet, and hang out over good food?

While writing this post and listening to Pandora the song "Lucky Man" by Montgomery Gentry came on....feels pretty appropriate today.....have a listen.

Good Times! Until next time Montello....

P.S. one of my buddies and I are headed to Wendover for a couple days in mid November. Let me know if your interested in grabbing dinner and/or some Craps!