One Array, All Seasons
Creating a Solar Array Built for Winter’s Worst Introduction Our goal is to help you understand how to calculate the right solar panel capacity for your system, from meeting your load list to ensuring winter battery charging. If you haven’t yet read our articles on Load List and Battery Capacity, these are foundational steps leading…
Read more
Your Off-Grid Lifeline
Building a Battery Bank for Every Season Introduction When we assess a home, boat, van, or any other setup for an off-grid system, our process always begins with reviewing the load list in a consultation call. During our discussion, I send over a comprehensive sheet that outlines nearly every type of load they might consider…
Read more
From Cabin Lights to Water Pumps
Calculating Your Solar Load Needs Introduction When I work with cabin owners designing new solar systems or upgrading older setups, we always begin with a close look at their power needs. Many cabins already have systems, but often, these systems are outdated, or the owner is ready for more capacity to support new appliances and…
Read more
Inverter To Main AC Panel
Choosing the Right AC Cable Size to Connect Your Inverter Introduction In off-grid solar installations, we often encounter cabins and homes where wiring is less than ideal. While these setups may appear to function normally, many lack critical safety components like fuses, breakers, and adequate grounding, essentials for protecting both system performance and safety. A…
Read more
Introduction to Mopeka Sensors
The Ultimate Liquid Level Monitoring Solution Introduction In the world of solar energy systems, real-time monitoring plays a critical role in optimizing performance and preventing potential issues. At IOTG SOLAR, we’ve integrated numerous advanced devices that track key metrics like voltage, temperature, incoming solar current, and energy output to various loads. While some clients prefer…
Read more
Victron Cerbo GX: Complete Control and Monitoring, Locally and Remotely
Streamline Your Solar System with Real-Time Data and Remote Access Introduction I recently installed a small 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter to power a fridge at a customer’s cabin, where they typically use a larger inverter/charger system to power the rest of the cabin. To conserve energy, they shut down the larger…
Read more
Finding Safe Ground: Where to Locate the Main Ground in a Floating Home
Essential Guidelines for Properly Grounding Your Floating Home for Electrical Safety Introduction Floating homes present unique challenges when it comes to electrical safety, particularly regarding grounding systems. Proper grounding is critical for ensuring the safety of electrical installations and preventing hazards such as electrical shock, equipment damage, and fire. In this article, we will explore…
Read more
Winterizing Your Solar System
Essential Tips for Rain, Snow, and Limited Sunlight Introduction As winter approaches, your solar energy system will encounter new challenges—shorter days, heavy rainfall, and snow can all impact its performance. Proper preparation is key to ensuring your system remains efficient and reliable throughout the colder months. Whether you live in an area with frequent snowstorms…
Read more
Pole Mount Or Ground Mount?
What are the Advantages of a Pole Mount Solar Panel Design? Introduction Over the years, we’ve installed numerous pole-mounted solar systems, ranging from small setups to larger installations. One of the key advantages we’ve noticed is that pole mounts typically require minimal land space, unlike ground mounts, and they keep the panels off the roof.…
Read more
Optimizing Solar Panel Distance
How Far Can My Solar Panels Be From My Solar System? Introduction When designing a solar system, distance plays a key role, especially in off-grid setups where DC home runs are involved. In grid-tied systems, distance is typically less of a concern, particularly with microinverters, since AC power is more resilient to long runs. However,…
Read more