02/20/2017
I have been asked Frequently how much it costs to put in OFF-GRID solar. Here are some examples.
Now, this is QUALITY equipment. Outback power systems. Almost everything has a 5-year warranty at minimum.
I don't want to hear ANY comments about how you can do it cheaper with some made in China crap inverter or some off-brand (wanna-be deep-cycle) batteries or some Harbor Freight solar panels. You're on your own with that crap and you'll learn the hard way like many others have.
Note, I do NOT install this (and will not) nor do I make any $ from it for kickbacks from the vendors. It is just a free consulting service I offer to friends out here in SE because i don't want to see you waste time and money on ebay junk systems.
Standard Items for All Systems
(1) Pre-wired inverter/Charger system: (FP1-VFXR3648A) $3,800
https://www.solar-electric.com/outback-flexpower-preassembled-inverter-system-fp1-vfxr3648a.html
Above is everything you need (the big stuff) in one package already wired up! This is the inverter, charge controller, battery charger, battery monitor, transfer switch, communications hub and all breakers. With this you will only need about 1 hour of an “electricians” time and in reality you might be able to do that part yourself. Simply connect the wires from the solar panels, the AC wires to your house, the AC wires from your generator and the DC wires to your batteries and you are up and running. Just add Batteries and Solar Panels. This system includes the free Outback Internet Monitoring (and remote control) of your system.
(7) 12”, 2/0 Battery interconnects: $ 12.81/ea ($ 89.67 total)
https://www.solar-electric.com/battery-interconnect-cable-00-awg-12-inch-mtw-black.html
(2) 10’ Inverter cables: $ 133.79 total
https://www.solar-electric.com/49100.html
Solar Combiner: $ 94.00
https://www.solar-electric.com/outback-power-fwpv-8-pv-12-array-combiners-8.html
(up to 6) Solar Breakers: $ 11.35/ea ($ 68.10 total)
https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnepv-15-amps-circuit-breaker.html
DC Surge Protection at combiner: $88.50
(??) Wire from generator to FP1 Panel: Generally 3 strands of #10/ #8 for a typical 30amp generator.
(??) Wire from Solar Array to FP1: Generally 3 strands of #8 or #6 wire (depending on length).
(??) Wire from FP1 to your 120V AC panel in the house: Generally 3 strands of #8 or #6 wire (depending on length).
Everything Above (excluding wire): $ 4,274.06
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[Add one of the following Solar/Battery Options Below]
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Solar/Batteries - 5.25 KWH (usable) per day
($ 2,129.00 total)
Lights, Security System(2-4 cameras), fans, tv, small pool pump (up to 6hrs/day) OR Fridge (24hrs/day), 120V well pump as needed (minimal use at night recommended)
Occasional (sunny weather permitting) use of a high load item in daytime such as a small 120V Air Conditioner, Air compressor, Saws and Tools. NO AC USE AT NIGHT!
(8) Trojan T105-RE Batteries. 225Ah ea, 10.8kw total storage , 5.4kwh usable stored power at 50% Depth of Discharge. $148.00/ea ($1,184.00 total) – 2 year warranty, 4-5 year expected life (at 75% DOD).
(6) 225w solar panels (1350 watts total): $0.70/watt: $945.00
(2) parallel groups of (3) in series. Approximate 100v DC open circuit at array.
(Above is minimum # of panels required for basic charging – more panels is always better)
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Solar/Batteries - 8.8 KWH (usable) per day
($ 4,170 total)
Lights, Security System (16+ cameras), fans, tv, normal pool pump (8+ hrs/day) AND Fridge/Freezer (24hrs/day) and 120V well pump as needed day or night
Frequent use of a high load item in daytime such as a small 120V Air Conditioner or [240V Mini-Split Air conditioner (with optional 240V Transformer $525.00)]
Frequent use of Air compressor, Saws and Tools used day OR night.
NOTE: "Continued" use of AC at night may require more solar panels to assure proper recharge the following day if there are less than perfect sun conditions. Additionally, Window AC units use 2-3 times the power that and equal or larger sized mini-split AC unit will use. This system may be "borderline" if attempting to run a "window AC" unit at night. 9000BTU Mini-Split AC units can be bought for around $750 now-a-days and I know an AC guy in SE that will install for about $200. Well worth spending the extra $ "one-time" to get a mini-split rather than having to buy more batteries and panels to support a less energy efficient window unit ac.
(8) Trojan L16-RE-B Batteries. 370Ah ea, 17.8kw total storage , 8.9kwh usable stored power at 50% Depth of Discharge. $285.00/ea ($2,280.00 total) – 5 year warranty, 10-12 year expected life (at 75% DOD).
(12) 225w solar panels (2700 watts total): $0.70/watt: $1,890.00
(4) parallel groups of (3) in series. Approximate 100v DC open circuit at array.
(Above is minimum # of panels required for basic charging – more panels is always better)
NOTES
Adding more panels will allow you to run more things in the daytime (like Air Conditioning Units) while still providing an adequate charge to the batteries at all times.
50% is the absolute lowest DOD (depth of discharge) you EVER want to go. Instead, keeping your DOD higher than 75% can increase the life expectancy of your batteries by several years.
Don’t forget the additional cost for a Ground Mount Solar Mounting system. Estimate $500 to build a wood structure like I have and have recommended for most other people. You could build in aluminum for additional $.
Lastly, replacing your package AC system or window units with “Inverter Based Mini-Split” room/area systems can save you TONS of energy and make you able to run those mini-split AC systems on your solar inverter also. Additional Battery capacity would even allow them to run at night although the cost of additional batteries is hard to justify if the AC only needs to run on the weekend nights. That would have to be your call.
I know several people out here who have the 8.8kwh system with 3 additional solar panels that run 3 small 120V AC units all day long (daytime only, NOT night - you can one one mini-split at night on this) when they are here on the weekend without having to run the generator. Solar panels are cheap and both systems above can expand to 5000w of solar panels with no additional expenses other than the panels themselves.
5.25kwh system: ($ 6,403.00 Grand Total)
8.8kwh system: ($ 8,444.00 Grand Total)
Plus tax, core charges, wire and other miscellaneous items.
Outback FLEXpower FP1 VFXR3648A 3,600 Watts 48 Volts for Off-Grid or Grid-Tie Applications
