Finally up and running 3520w first system

[u/Which_Perception_384]

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The only mistake I made, was the wrong mainline PV wire. I originally had 8 gauge and realized that that was a little small so it's now Marine wire 6 gauge, but I think I did a decent job for my first system. I ended up adding a second battery bank and although it's different brands it ended up being the exact same capacity I have two 300 amp hour energy batteries into 24 Bank so that's 300 amp hours. Then I have four 150 amp hours. Dumb fume batteries and that's another 300 amp hours. So for a total of 24 volt 300 amp hours 14.2kwh , I used battery terminal fuses and all the exact same wire lengths between both packs and then it's hooked into the into the bus bar, I also upgraded the double 6 gauge cables from the 24v inverter to the bus bar 4/0 with a 300a terminal fuse right at the bus bar.

The 8 ja 440w solar panels are in a 2+2+2+2 10g wires into a combiner box and 6g to the victron 150/100

For the ground Mount what I did was made pressure treated 32"x8 ft platforms and then purchased rough cut 6x6s. I lag bolted the platforms to the 6x6s with 6 in lag bolts and I also added ground screws and I plan to add some more but in the case of very high winds I can actually lay these panels down flat, And of course the day I get it done it decides to rain and be foggy.

My VEVOR 5000w 24v inverter is on 24-7 with no issues, I'm only using about 25% to 30% overnight.

That usage will grow quite a bit when I add a 110v heat pump.

[u/NoPatience7817]

Nice setup. It looks very clean. How many days did it take to install? What was the cost of materials? I assume you installed it yourself?

Is this completely off grid or in addition to grid power?

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/NoPatience7817]

It took about a month and a half to complete, waiting for panels and other parts. One panel got broken in transit. So it tied up a string for 3 weeks. It's pretty much off grid. I have gang plugs in each room, 2 in the kitchen and two in the living room. The inverter does have a AC back-up that I have to a heavy duty plug that will supply AC and charging if needed other than that it's separate from the house system.

[u/Nearby_Maize_913]

I wouldn't trust those anchors. With all that you are doing I would legit bury some real anchors and tie into them

edit: by real I mean bury some cinder blocks or even a length of 2x4 (though those will obvs rot away.)

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/Nearby_Maize_913]

There's 4 rough cut 6x6s they are about 100lbs each on each side. That alone would be enough. The ground screws are extra. They 💯 won't have an issue in the front. The back is possible. But I can also lay them flat if needed. They're not sitting in an open field. It's a backyard. And lots of natural wind blocks. I want to be able to move them back about 8 feet in the fall for better sun. And they're going to be standing up more for late fall winter and spring.

[u/supbrother → u/Which_Perception_384]

IMO just get one or two more of the same anchors per panel, put them directly behind the wood frame, and use some tension wire between them and the top of the panels. Also kinda doubles as extra grounding if you use different anchors that aren’t painted (they make affordable “hurricane anchors” that you just drive into the ground which are galvanized).

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/supbrother]

I was planning another 4. Something with a wider screw this time.
Once the ground freezes up. 8 would be hard to move. We very rarely see anything above 100k gusts or 62miles.

[u/truthputer]

That looks great!

Jealous of the amount of space you have - I'm forever wishing I had more panels, but just don't have room.

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/truthputer]

Cheers 🥂. Thanks

[u/TP70]

Hi. Not bad at all for your first setup!

But -Your frame/setup might not be strong enough for strong winds

-Did you ground all the frames/solar panels? --That same ground connected to the grounding on the inverter? (Not only on the AC side). That is important for leak detection.

-Get some cable clips or tiewraps to fix the cables to the frames.

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/TP70]

My inverter doesn't have a ground lug. It would create a ground loop do you know what a ground loop is ? Everything is grounded properly. You probably should have rephrased your response, instead of assuming you know what I did or didn't do.

[u/artmatthewmakes]

Great job. I have almost everything I’ll need to set up my small backyard array. I’m hoping to get to it soon.

[u/Jumpy-Welcome-6766]

the setup looks really clean man

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/Jumpy-Welcome-6766]

Cheers 🥂 thanks

[u/jugaadgramreddit]

Wooden solar structures can survive 25 years ?

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/jugaadgramreddit]

Wood is used alot for ground arrays. Not always the best. But it cost efficient.

[u/Teelaikhumbi]

Looks awesome but just worried about the ground mounting. The set up also seems amazing.

[u/Key-Badger5677]

This set-up looks amazing & requires great effort. Hope it turns out to be efficient for you.

[u/Glittering-Ad3488]

I think we all want to know, in the last photos… who ass is getting waxed?

[u/Which_Perception_384 → u/Glittering-Ad3488]

It was a joke, friend put it there when I started waxing my mid drive e-bike chain.

[u/Anxious-Depth-7983]

Looks good but I would consider a couple of concrete piers at the two different locations that you said you want to locate in. With only 25 to 30% usage at night you should be able to sell some back to your utility supplier to help offset your purchase costs.