PV Workshop
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18nyOgvA7CS7n3tYejE1_B3cf6sx6MsTHimqvOp1hrFM/edit
Overview
The OBI + OSE Off-Grid PV Workshop is a workshop where you will learn to design, install, and live with a complete, rooftop, 3kW, off-grid PV system for a home - for $3000 in materials. We have tested this system in the Seed Eco-Home - and decided to build more of these. The workshop involves a complete build + install of a 3kW system from the roof mounting system - to a control panel with power measurement, a battery bank, wall outlets, and a super-efficient refrigerator. We will show you how to convert a chest freezer to a super-efficient refrigerator which draws only 8 watts of power on average. This 12x less than an average refrigerator - and is one of the critical elements that allow for building a low cost system with a small battery bank - as the main load at night is a refrigerator. We will measure all the loads in the system - so that a power management strategy emerges for running all loads in summer and winter. This is based on our experience with the system, and we recommend it for replication. The intended audience is anyone who wants to learn about PV systems first hand - and especially anyone who wants to pay their last utility bill by investing $3k for a complete off-grid system like ours. If you got an installer to do this,
Program
- June 4-6, 2018
- Today was Feb 4 = T-120
- Assets - Design Book given to participants. Others can purchase the book online, printed or e-book on the OBI site, OSE site
- Preparation required:
- All materials on-site at T-30
- All materials ordered at T-60
- Updated full CAD of control panel + PV panels.
Day 1
- 8 AM - Intro. Design Overview
- 9-12 - Build of Railings + Roof Mounts Build
- 12-1 - Lunch
- 1-2 - Afternoon Design Discussion
- 2-5 - Installation of PV Panels + Wiring
- Dinner 6-7
- Discussion, Q&A 7-8
Day 2
- 8 AM - Control Panel Design Discussion
- 9-12 - Build of Control Panel
- 12-1 - Lunch
- 1-2 - Afternoon Design Discussion: Wiring, safety, code compliance
- 2-5 - Install of Wiring, breakers, and outlets
- Dinner 6-7
- Discussion, Q&A 7-8
Day 3
- 8 AM - Morning Design Discussion - How to Test the System
- 9-12 - Installing measurement devices, measuring power usage, and Power On.
- 12-1 - Disconnection from the Grid Ceremony + Lunch
- 1-2 - Energy Management Discussion: Load Strategy + Super-efficient Refrigerator
- 2-5 - Building a Super-efficient refrigerator controller + Install of SuperFridge
- Dinner 6-7
- Discussion, Q&A 7-8