Tips and Tools

Harnessing the Synergy of Agriculture and Solar Energy Introduction If you have a backyard, you quickly notice in the summertime that items like sheds, sun umbrellas or lawn chairs can affect grass growth. When I go to cut the grass, I often find that it grows better underneath or around these objects due to the…
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Are These for Grid-Tie or for Off-Grid? Introduction We’ve been designing, selling, and installing solar systems with inverter chargers, solar panels, solar controllers, and batteries for years. We’ve also been upgrading old systems to brand-new ones and adding to existing systems for quite some time. It takes many components to create a complete system. But…
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Which type do I have or which type Should I Get? Introduction By the early 1980s, pure sine wave inverters had become more commercially available, providing improved performance for a broader range of applications, including renewable energy systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and sensitive electronic equipment. When I first got started with solar energy and…
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Does it Matter at all if they are Different Wattages and Voltages? Can This Be Done We often get asked if new panels can simply be added to a customer’s existing system. This process is usually easiest if the original installation was done within the last year or so, as obtaining the same type of…
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Extremely hot temperatures can have several effects on an off-grid solar system, let’s take a closer look Efficiency of Solar Panels Battery Performance and Lifespan Inverter and Charge Controller Performance Cabling and Connectors System Monitoring and Safety Efficiency of Solar Panels Depending on your location, but especially if you’re one of our local subscribers, it’s…
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I’m wanting to add an electric fridge to my system, what steps should I take? Adding a new fridge I often have customers who include a fridge in their load list when designing their off-grid systems. However, I also encounter customers with existing systems who want to add a new appliance. Recently, someone inquired about…
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Comparing Yesterday’s Solar Panels to Today’s Advanced Models My First Thought I was initially planning to talk about the numerous technological advances in solar panels, including discussions on efficiency improvements and the various types of solar cells, as well as different methods of harnessing solar energy. However, as I considered the depth of these changes,…
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How Does this Affect Connections in My Off-Grid Cabin, RV or Boat? Introduction Purpose of Tying Neutral and Ground Together Why It’s Important to Keep Them Separate Elsewhere Managing Neutral to Ground with Inverter/Charger and Generator Integration Neutral Ground Ties On a Boat Conclusion Introduction Understanding the intricacies of electrical systems in off-grid cabins, boats,…
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Simplifying Motorhome Upgrades: What Questions Should I ask Myself? Define Your Main Goal Consider the Project Scope Assess Your Power Needs Choose the Right Components Plan and Execute Installation Safety and Monitoring Conclusion Upgrading Your Motorhome with Solar Power: How Easy Is It? Key Considerations and Steps 1. Define Your Main Goal Before starting the…
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How Should I make my Decision upon Batteries when it comes to Charging and Discharging? Lead Carbon vs Lithium Iron Phosphate What Are the Differences between LiFePO4 and Lead Carbon? CanBat 12 volt 100 Ah LiFePO4 CanBat 12 volt 100 Ah Lead Carbon Charging and Discharging Conclusion   Lead Carbon vs Lithium Iron Phosphate In…
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