I am considering a package system

615 Watt Off Grid System : Solar Panels Direct, Powered by Nature!

I might consider the 1230W system but I think a generator will fill the gap fine.

I would appreciate any feedback on how well it will work?
My place is a weekend getaway.
700 sq ft on top of a mountain in eastern Washington state. 300 days of sunshine each year.
Gravity fed water with 12V shurflo to assist.
Propane hot water and cooking.
Wood heat.
Propane fridge (planned).

I wan't to power,
2-10 compact floresent liights.
Laptop.
TV.
Microwave 10-20 minutes a day.
Small tools.
I am sure the list will grow.

I have a 2000W generator for higher loads and my replace it with 6500W electric start generator.

Thanks in advance.
Jim

Appliance wattage x hours = Watt hours

You need to calculate total watt hours.

Read this and see what you come up with.

Remember if you cheap on the solar system, you run the generator longer and more often.

__________________
Making the world a better place just makes sense.

Just a quick update.

I did the calculations as you suggested then purchased and installed the system.

It works great!

Jim

Wait til November and December when your daily usable watt hours drops to 800 and see if it still works great. If you are using more than 800 wh per day come Xmas you get a big surprise from Santa

__________________
Dereck, PE, MSEE
Moderator

Dear King,
I should not have responded to IdianaSolar as I did except I felt his response killed my post and kept me from getting input from actual users of offgrid solar. Sorry.

If I wanted to argue with someone I would have asked my 14 year old son. He seems to enjoy it too. I suspend his use of things he likes when he argues too much. Any chance I could get you to send me spark plug from your dirt bike? I'll pm you with my address and I promise to return it in a week?

Jim

Jason my response was only to note your system in Central Washington State will only produce around 800 watt hours per day from November to the end of February. As long as that is what you designed for it will work out.

The only problem I see as with all kits is they are designed for areas with a lot more solar insolation than your location provides. Judging from the battery size the system was designed to provide 1.5 Kwh per day. Problem with that kit installed in Central Washington there is not enough panel wattage to generate that much energy for the better part of the year.

__________________
Dereck, PE, MSEE
Moderator

What did I miss? Never meant to kill your post. The reason I posted was that you had not had a response after a day and I did not want your post to get lost.

__________________
Making the world a better place just makes sense.