[RE-wrenches] small offgrid pv kit

[Nick Soleil]

When I hear 'off-grid,' I assume there is no electric power on-site.  I have had 
many people request 'off-grid systems' who have utility power already.  I try to 
convince those people that the electric grid isn't a bad thing.  Many of them 
want it for an idealistic reason, because it seems more 'Earth conscious.'  I 
always explain to them that the environmental impacts of manufacturing and 
disposing of batteries is far worse for the environment than continuing to use 
the grid and installing grid-tied PV.

 Nick Soleil
Project Manager
Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC
PO Box 657
Petaluma, CA 94953
Cell:   707-321-2937
Office: 707-789-9537
Fax:    707-769-9037




________________________________
From: William Miller <william at millersolar.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Thu, October 28, 2010 8:28:01 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] small offgrid pv kit

 August:

Off-grid and battery back-up are redundant terms.  If this is for an on-grid 
home wanting battery-back-up, the process of integration involves many aspects 
of an electrical remodel intercepting circuits, possibly installing a small load 
center in an existing structure).  This requires an enhanced electrical skill 
set and may be even more unsuited for installation by a semi-skilled home owner 
than a battery-less grid-tie system.

Kits are problematic in several regards:  Every battery system we install is 
different in requirements and configuration from any other.  The components are 
heavy and a pre-assembled back board can be quite heavy and difficult to handle.

I discourage the "kit" approach for these reasons.  If I have qualified home 
owners that want to participate, I suggest they do mechanical preparation, i.e. 
install plywood back-board, build battery box, set pole for TOP mount, dig 
trench, and, at most, run conduit , etc.  We have found rocks inside home owner 
run conduit, so even this simple task requires some training-  training which is 
hard to verify.

William Miller




At 07:44 AM 10/28/2010, you wrote:

Hi Wrenches,
> 
>I have a DIY client who is looking for a small $10 to $15k complete off grid 
>battery backup kit he can install himself. Email me off list if you have any 
>sources or thoughts.
> 
>Thanks!
> 
>-August
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Please note new e-mail address and domain:

William Miller 
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: william at millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985



      
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