When I hear 'off-grid,' I assume there is no electric power on-site. I have had many people request 'off-grid systems' who have utility power already. I try to convince those people that the electric grid isn't a bad thing. Many of them want it for an idealistic reason, because it seems more 'Earth conscious.' I always explain to them that the environmental impacts of manufacturing and disposing of batteries is far worse for the environment than continuing to use the grid and installing grid-tied PV.
Nick Soleil Project Manager Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions, LLC PO Box 657 Petaluma, CA 94953 Cell: 707-321-2937 Office: 707-789-9537 Fax: 707-769-9037 ________________________________ From: William Miller <will...@millersolar.com> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Sent: Thu, October 28, 2010 8:28:01 AM Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] small offgrid pv kit August: Off-grid and battery back-up are redundant terms. If this is for an on-grid home wanting battery-back-up, the process of integration involves many aspects of an electrical remodel intercepting circuits, possibly installing a small load center in an existing structure). This requires an enhanced electrical skill set and may be even more unsuited for installation by a semi-skilled home owner than a battery-less grid-tie system. Kits are problematic in several regards: Every battery system we install is different in requirements and configuration from any other. The components are heavy and a pre-assembled back board can be quite heavy and difficult to handle. I discourage the "kit" approach for these reasons. If I have qualified home owners that want to participate, I suggest they do mechanical preparation, i.e. install plywood back-board, build battery box, set pole for TOP mount, dig trench, and, at most, run conduit , etc. We have found rocks inside home owner run conduit, so even this simple task requires some training- training which is hard to verify. William Miller At 07:44 AM 10/28/2010, you wrote: Hi Wrenches, > >I have a DIY client who is looking for a small $10 to $15k complete off grid >battery backup kit he can install himself. Email me off list if you have any >sources or thoughts. > >Thanks! > >-August >_______________________________________________ >List sponsored by Home Power magazine > >List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > >Options & settings: >http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > >List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > >List rules & etiquette: >www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > >Check out participant bios: >www.members.re-wrenches.org > > >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 8.5.448 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3223 - Release Date: 10/27/10 >19:12:00 Please note new e-mail address and domain: William Miller Miller Solar Voice :805-438-5600 email: will...@millersolar.com http://millersolar.com License No. C-10-773985
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