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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Rickant solar hookup
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Rickant
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# Posted: 13 May 2017 06:49pm
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2. So I imagine calling hydro and having it disconnected. We would need power for lights, fans, possibly some sort of refrigerator. I see that a system would need to be sized and it would involve panels, a controller, inverter, batteries. So my question (very silly I know) how does that get hooked up? Does that feed into the existing panel?

ICC
Member
# Posted: 13 May 2017 08:00pm - Edited by: ICC
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Yes, your solar system would feed power from the inverter into the service panel instead of the feed from the power company.

You probably have 240 AC from the Poco. If you stay connected to the power grid how much would the annual or monthly average billing be? I'd think that out carefully as good reliable equipment and batteries cost a bit.

Edit OK... I see in another topic where you say the neighbors say hydro costs $150 in the winter. How about the summer? I'd check with the PoCo; maybe the neighbors just don't want any neighbors and are trying to scare you.

I've been solar powered since 2000. I did it originally because the local Power Co-op estimated $200,000 to bring in power. That was a no brainer decision. If I had power to my property when I decided to build I might not have gone solar. But I am happy with what I have. The independence is nice, but there is maintenance, equipment replacement at times. And then there is lightning. If lightning hits you and kills your inverter and or charge controller, you are on your own. If there is a PoCo the power equipment damage if on them. Of course any personal electronics can be toast and is still yours to pay for.

Rickant
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2017 08:48am
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I think we are going to do a season and see what the costs are. The other people aren't direct neighbours but were saying 150 a month over the winter without using any hydro at all. I bet they would also charge a fortune to disconnect which would a,so need to be factored in. My base charge in the city seems to be 50 a month right now but I've heard rural is more expensive. We don't need much power.... Lights, a few fans, some sort of fridge. Then again I don't see shlepping batteries back and forthright offseason storage.

FishHog
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2017 09:28am
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Quoting: Rickant
Then again I don't see shlepping batteries back and forthright offseason storage.

there is no need for that if they stay charged they won't freeze. That being said, I think you will find sticking with hydro the better option.

Bancroft bound
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2017 08:41pm
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If you don't have anything in use the only charge from the Poco will be the monthly service charge. |Call them and find out what it is. Check their website too, it will be there .... someplace!

hamish
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2017 10:46pm
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Quoting: Bancroft bound
If you don't have anything in use the only charge from the Poco will be the monthly service charge

Along with the delivery charge and debt retirement charge and so on and so on..................

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