Latest Posts and Projects

What are the Factors Involved? Introduction We recently had a customer request the installation of a brand-new off-grid solar system, specifically one that could also charge his new electric truck. This system will be a 48-volt setup. Since there are various types of systems available, there are a few important questions that need to be…
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Which is the Easiest Method of Installing Solar Panels? Introduction Over the years, we’ve installed numerous solar panels in various orientations, sometimes in portrait, other times in landscape, and occasionally a combination of both when roof space was limited. While both methods have their place, I find that portrait orientation is generally the standard and…
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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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Part 1 ( Conductor Sizes )