PV Workshop
Org Doc
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,
Workshop Manual
Off-Grid PV System v2.0 TOC
- Introduction - PV is part of a Seed Eco-Home, and with panel costs of 40 cents today, things are looking good for for PV systems especially with 24V direct loads.
- Seed Eco-Home Ecology
- Backup strategies - eventual other components of an integrated energy system product ecology. Inluding steam power 1/4 hp engine.
- How it works - the key to practicality is smart power management by design. Limits - large loads at night. Design out 24/7 loads. Internet is 5W + lights are 13. Efficient computers. Greenhouse by day. Blast the heat by day. Calculations for thermal storage: water, sand, concrete, masonry ovens. Compare saturated water with water up to 100C. Basic calculations of insulation vs thermal mass.
- Calculations - power usage and generation
- Product ecology - relation to other OBI/GVCS systems.
- Manufacture of parts - how component manufacturing can be done with GVCS system
- Technology Diagrams -
- Solar Panels
- Control panel
- CAD
- Solar Panels
- Control Panel
- Build (tools and procedure for each section)
- PV Panel wiring
- Racking
- Roof mount
- Battery bank
- AC breaker panel
- Direct DC loads
- Backup charger
- Inverter
- Charge controller
- Super-efficient refrigerator
- Troubleshooting
- Sourcing Explanation - specifications of components that work
- BOM - specific BOM for our install
- Shopping - kit.com one-click, Amazon, Ebay. Link to buy a hard copy/e-copy of this manual for a friend.
- About the Authors
- Credits - (attribution)
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. 3D Print Din Rails. 3D Print enclosure for superfridge.
- 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
