[RE-wrenches] offgrid system question

[Tom Elliot]

Thank you Jeff, for asking the obvious.  I've been agog that no one seemed 
to think this was a nutty situation for an off-grid home.

T.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Yago
  To: RE-wrenches
  Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:57 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] offgrid system question


  I may be out of line here, but most of these comments have been related to 
making the right program settings and startup surge current issues.  I did 
not read any comments that this client is nuts to try and run a 3.5 ton air 
conditioner from a solar off-grid system, let alone a system with such a 
very small capacity.

  I would be surprised if this small existing solar array and batteries can 
keep up with the regular loads like lights, kitchen appliances, 
refrigerators, and entertainment equipment, let alone also running a central 
air conditioner.  .

  I would not  just debate the problems of surge current, I would like to 
know how this little solar system is going to keep up with the constant load 
of approx. 4,000 watts for the AC unit plus another 500 watts for the air 
handling unit which he did not mention.  With a constant drain of 4,500 
watts, just how long do you think this battery bank will last?   For most 
locations, during peak summer days a typical AC unit needs to run constantly 
12 to 16 hours per day.

  I would be interested in hearing from others on this, but here in the 
humid and hot east it is not possible to provide air conditioning for an 
off-grid home unless we are just cooling one or two rooms with a low energy 
Sanyo type split system in the 1/2 to 3/4 ton range.  Of course if you have 
enough solar modules and batteries you could run anything, but can you 
afford it?

  We do lots of off-grid systems and the first thing we tell clients is to 
not even think about having air conditioning, electric hot water heaters, or 
electric clothes dryers unless they have a really big bag of money.

  Jeff Yago



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