After the Fire: Can Your Off-Grid Solar System Be Saved?
Real stories of cabins lost to wildfire, what survived, and what you can reuse. Introduction Over the past few days, we’ve had some rain. While it may have eased the fires a little, the danger hasn’t gone away, and given the way things are now, that threat will likely linger long after the skies clear.…
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Battery Protection
Why It’s Critical for Any Solar System Introduction Whether you’re running an off-grid cabin deep in the woods or a grid-tied solar system at home, one thing is certain: your battery bank is one of the most expensive and important components of your system. And like anything valuable, it needs protection. Too often, we see…
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Breaker or Fuse
What To Use in Your Off-Grid Solar System Introduction Over the years, I’ve worked on countless off-grid solar systems, some brand new, others installed a decade or more ago. And every now and then, I come across a system that was clearly installed by a particular individual whose work stands out. His style is unmistakable:…
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Why Solar Voltage Readings Don’t Always Match
Understanding Why Your Charge Controller, Inverter, and Battery Monitor Show Different Numbers, and When It Matters Introduction I get asked this a lot, especially right after a new installation, and sometimes even months later. If you’ve ever looked at your solar charge controller and seen one voltage reading, then glanced at your battery monitor or…
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5 Must-Ask Questions Before Buying a Solar System
Ask these 5 smart questions to find out if your solar quote is built for your needs, or just built to sell Introduction When we discuss solar with our customers, there are always many important questions to cover. Sometimes the customer comes prepared with all the questions, and other times, it’s our responsibility to bring…
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Solar Incentives: Help or Hype?
What to know before banking on rebates and tax credits. Introduction Right now, there are real opportunities to save on solar, including grants, interest-free loans, and other incentives available across many regions in North America and beyond. But as always, education is the key. Taking time to understand how these programs work, and where they…
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Li Cube Solar Containers
Skip the Trenching, Wiring, and Guesswork. These Container Systems Are Ready to Power Up Introduction Thinking about going solar but overwhelmed by all the moving parts? From choosing the right panels and batteries to handling the wiring and setup, building a system from scratch can be complicated, especially when you’re looking for something quick, reliable,…
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48V vs. 51.2V
What’s the Real Difference? Introduction When installing modern solar inverters such as the Hybrids, we often refer to them as “48 volt systems” but is that voltage fixed? Can these systems safely run at a higher voltage? In the world of batteries, we’re used to seeing the familiar 12V, 24V, and 48V labels. But if…
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Two Cabins, One Solar System?
What to Know When Powering Buildings 450 Feet Apart Off-Grid Introduction In last week’s article, I introduced a recent project involving a customer who owns a 20-acre property with two cabins about 450 feet apart. She reached out for help designing an off-grid solar system, initially to power one cabin, but with a long-term goal…
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Designing Solar Systems That Truly Fit
It Starts with the Conversation Introduction One thing I’ve learned over the years of designing and installing solar systems is that getting to know my customer is the most important part of what I do. Time and time again, it’s the key that opens the door to discovering what my customer truly wants and needs,…
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