Anybody but me notice all the solar panels?

[shadowwalker]

I have noticed the solar panels that run everything from speed post signs to big Telephone boxes. Also I know about water wells out in the open land around where I live with solar panels.
Might be a good idea to get a basic solar panel building book and keep in mind where my "free panels" are at! That way I can take it home with me without damaging it. I figure I can get them at night or take out the information antenna with them before I get them. Just passing some of my little quirks on to people that might be able to use them.
Hey I tell more of my secrets on here than I have ever told anyone I meet/talk to, I figure I won't get judged as much here. Ha,ha.

[methusaleh]

Yes, even at the place my fiance works at, their retail department is selling solar powered everything like hotcakes.

A lot of the imported solar-powered outdoor lights and whatnot arrive either incomplete or with broken parts. If you are at a retailer that carries those types of things, ASK because they may have plenty of broken units in the back room waiting for a trip to the dumpster. They may be more than happy to let you take the broken units for free, they just need the boxes so they get credit. At least that's how I'm ending up with a bazillion panels and whatnot this year :D

[out-back-2]

Carefully photograph the wiring on the back of the panels so that you can "re-wire" the panels set as they are. If you get the wiring out of phase (parallel needs to be parallel, and series to series) so that they work when you put them back together. Make a note of the color code on the wires. There is a tracer, like a blue wire might have a yellow stripe (called the tracer) and make certain that the wires then go back to the correct location as shown in your photo. Yes, take color photos...it really helps.

Stay out of harms way...

[shadowwalker]

What I was aiming at was knowing how to liberate and use them if needed. In a survival situation it could be a big help. But I hadn't thought about taking a picture good idea.

[out-back-2]

The solar panels in and of themselves are of little value. There is a controller that must be used with the panels. Pictures...lots of pictures 'cause you are not going to get a service manual with them. Free standing panel sets have a battery backup that allows the system to work when the sun doesn't shine. That must accompany the system. Once the panels are removed from the station, cover the cell side of the panel with cardboard (something that will not admit light) until the panels are placed into service again. Shelf life of the panels properly stored is plus/minus twenty years.

Remember that this is electricity and you can get your butt shocked off if not careful. And...don't drop them. The silicone wafers are fragile and once a panel is "off line" the system is of little value unless you have a boat, it will suffice as an anchor.

Questions??

[mountainman28713]

I hope to start out with solar hotwater and solar well pumping. I am not sure of panels or evacuated tubes, I guess if you guys have any experience in this please guide me and give me your input. Like everyone here I am on a moderate/low budget and need to get this done ASAP.Thanks in advance-mountainman28713.

[mountainman28713]

Anyone in WNC...lincoln county area...

Anyone in lincoln county nc off the grid? If so I need your help in reaching this level for my family and myself. Thanks.:D

[hubste5]

I have been giving this much thought, as I have secured some property that i will soon be moving to, that has potential for solar, wind, and hydro. In my location, hydro may be the best solution, but I am looking at solar, too. I keep coming back to the same conlusion, and I hope you guys will set me straight if I am wrong... but it seems the logical approach is to build the system from the inside-out... that is, start with battery bank and dc>ac conversion system. The batteries can be charged from any source, including grid power. Great for storm type outages. Also a standard generator can be used to charge the batteries, only running a couple of hours per day, more efficient than trying to use a generator full time. Then other off-grid solutions (solar/wind/hydro) can be added as funds become available. If you start on the outside (turbine/panels), you have to fund the whole enchilada at once, and from what I have seen, it's a pretty hefty investment. Just my uneducated ramblings... thoughts on this theory?

[mountainman28713]

right on...seems like a logical way to go about it. In my own opinion it is a great idea to start with your batts which is a large purchase in itself. If you get one heck of a batt bank upfront to power your place you can use a smaller genset to recharge them with to get you along till you can get your hydro setup in place and running.

[GSnod]

I have been giving this much thought, as I have secured some property that i will soon be moving to, that has potential for solar, wind, and hydro. In my location, hydro may be the best solution, but I am looking at solar, too. I keep coming back to the same conlusion, and I hope you guys will set me straight if I am wrong... but it seems the logical approach is to build the system from the inside-out... that is, start with battery bank and dc>ac conversion system. The batteries can be charged from any source, including grid power. Great for storm type outages. Also a standard generator can be used to charge the batteries, only running a couple of hours per day, more efficient than trying to use a generator full time. Then other off-grid solutions (solar/wind/hydro) can be added as funds become available. If you start on the outside (turbine/panels), you have to fund the whole enchilada at once, and from what I have seen, it's a pretty hefty investment. Just my uneducated ramblings... thoughts on this theory?

I too have been thinking through setting up power (solar, wind, hydro?). After talking to several solar reps, I too have come to the conclusion that the battery pack is the place to start. Once you have the battery pack and inverter in as you said, they can be powered via several methods. I too plan to have a back-up gen in addition to solar and wind.
My goal is to be completely off of the grid, so grid power is not an option I am considering.
Speaking of off-grid, did anyone see the women in Florida that was fighting the city because she was off-the-grid. I was looking for the article again, but can't find it now. I've seen several other articles from Sep 2014, but those are older. This one was within the last week or so. The reason that was stated was health, but the reporter reported it was due to the utility companies wanting their pay. It really seems to be getting crazy out there.

[ZAGran]

Solar powered Flashing stop lights - just dig up or cut off the whole pole and take it home, that is if someone dosen't beat you to it. However reading by flashing light might be a bit tricky. :p

[RICHFL]

Before you purchase the land find out what your local county requires for you to build a dam, wind or solar panels.

Some states will not allow you to divert any flow of water. We found this out in Wi. over 40 years ago.

Our neighbor was a civil engineer and decided to dam a small creek that ran thru his property. As soon as he completed the work the state came in a took the land away from him. It seems that the state law was, that any running water where a 7' canoe can float is state property including right of way to and from the water. It only takes about 3 inches of water to float a 7' canoe. So he lost all the land in and around the pond. So check the local and state laws before you do any thing else.

Out west you have to have "water rights " with the land, to get any water from what ever source. Including wells.

[Morgan101]

I was told by a City Alderman here that ALL waterways, no matter how small are controlled and governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If you try to do anything without approval you are in deep do-do. Federal problems.

[lalakai]

A solar power system can be useful but it takes a bit of planning and preparation to develop the system you want. As others mentioned, start with the battery. Sorry but start with the power need. Evaluate the bare minimum power that you need, the average power you consume, and those peak times. Once you have a SOLID handle on the power you need then you can start building your system. If you are truly looking at off grid, that adds to the planning because you now have to provide the power to meet your target goal along with charging your batteries. It's a balance that all depends on the amount of power you need or want. Take a look at this site; they have good information and will give good advice http://forum.solar-electric.com/forum?. I started small, a portable system with 2 140 watt panels based on a 12 volt system supporting a deep cycle battery with 110 amp hours. Those 2 panels will recharge the battery and give some extra power......in optimum conditions. 3-4 over cast days and I have to look at another way to recharge the battery. The battery system can be recharged through the solar panels, by a standard AC battery charger, or by plugging it into a running vehicle and charging through that system. I had no specific power target rather I wanted a portable system or one that would provide the ability to charge our phones and laptops, run the tv and dvd player. I can run the refrigerator in cycles but that pulls it down hard.

so do your homework first and get a good idea of your power needs and whether you want true off grid capability. Have fun

[dalewick]

I was told by a City Alderman here that ALL waterways, no matter how small are controlled and governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If you try to do anything without approval you are in deep do-do. Federal problems.

Morgan,

It's only "Navigable waterways" that are regulated and controlled by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Navigable is defined as any water that has historically or is currently or may possibly be navigated in the future, for means of commerce. Any alterations, construction or restrictions of such waterways must be done in compliance with all current regulations and through the permitting process of the USACOE and/or the EPA.

Worked for them as a Ranger for almost 10 years.

Dale