[RE-wrenches] PV powered music festival

[Kelly Larson]

Wow!  What an great discussion!  Nice documentation, Dan.

I have powered part-solar, part-generator, part grid-powered events  
for several years.  It's problematic.  Few have a clue how much power  
and energy they use.  If they use to much it makes the electrician  
look real bad.  I walk around on my rounds and check everything  
regularly.  It's a big job.  Some of what I learned that hasn't been  
mentioned (or much):

ALWAYS have a genny on hand to cover anything Murphy throws in.   
(...of Murphy's law)  A failure at a public event is hard to recover  
from.  Size it to cover everything PLUS battery charging.  A dead  
battery is worthless to you AND degrades the bank for future use.   
When the music's loud no one will notice, (or turn it on over night  
for recharge).

Taking along a TED 5000 would be real helpful in figuring out what  
uses what.  The TED is pretty versatile, and records the data, (but  
takes a little figuring, so use it before the event).

A clamp on ampmeter is an essential tool.  (Remember, most clamp on  
ampmeters are AC only).

Watch the extension cords.  They can easily be undersized and often in  
poor repair.  In the past I've used big #10 SO cables to get power out  
to where it will be used to address this.

An IR temp gun or thermal camera can help keep quick tabs on what is  
getting hot, which can be especially nice during headliners.

Take the time to stand out front and educate about energy and  
renewables.  Have fun with it!  Have flyers that list resources for  
energy efficiency and energy conservation, as well as renewables.  I'd  
love to have a meter with a big readout that says how much power is  
being used with a running total of energy.  Project for the future...

Blessings,
Kelly

Kelly Larson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
ISPQ Master Trainer
CA C-10 # 868189
SolarWrench at asis.com