What type of solar panels are you interested in?

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Four 450w bifacial, yep two faced Renogy panels, they come in 550w panels too, but 450w seems adequate for the moment. This is something I'm looking at starting in 2025 for the panels, the rest as I have the cash available.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I'm happy with my 32 x 415W panels, though I'll be happier when they're paid off so that I can get a battery (maybe even 2, 1 for the shed and the other for the house) to make use of the 2nd 5KW output I have available as I'm restricted to just pumping 5KW into the grid. I could also use it for an EV charger, but I have no intentions of getting 1 at my age and it'd far from being cost effective for me (plus they can bury me in my Falcon when the time comes).

Anyhow I just did another butternut weigh in here with the smallest of 6 being 1.9kg while the largest came in at 2.9kg. The largest of those was only about 2/3rds the size of Big Bertha, but I have the bathroom scales ready for the really big mothers that I'll be knocking on in around an hour's time that will take Bertha's title away from her as well as all those coming in over the kitchen scale's 3kg limit.

We're now at 17C (feels like 13C) here, but at least it is sunny ATM.

[edit] I harvested another 8 good sized butternuts this morning. :-D

Cheers.

Buried in the Falcon? Big hole. Any particular body position? Sitting behind the steering wheel driving into oblivion.

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The 450w panels are approx 45"x75" in size and are about $800-$1000 per pair, they only sell these per pair right now, the price should drop by 2025.

The 2400w micro inverter is under $380, everything here is less than $60 each the 4 panel mounts, screws, cables 2'-3'-5'-10'.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Buried in the Falcon? Big hole. Any particular body position? Sitting behind the steering wheel driving into oblivion.

Just fold down the back seat and lay me face down in the back before we go into the car compactor and then into the ground (I don't want the missus nagging at the back of my head when she can do it to my face). ;-)

Damn, there's still an hour to go until LLB time.

Cheers.

Will they let you do that Wiggo?

@Victor.
What about the charge controller? YouTube has some interesting videos on bifacial solar panel installation.

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1 can only try Admiral. ;-)

Anyhow it's now time for my LLB and I'll need it lugging my 4 biggest contestants from today's weigh in up to the pub. I may even get a feed in while I'm there, :-D

Cheers.

@Victor.
What about the charge controller? YouTube has some interesting videos on bifacial solar panel installation.

It's a 2400w micro controller that can handle up to 750w on each of the 4 ports for pv panels, it's on Amazon for $380, though it can be as low as $348 currently. The micro inverter can be mounted under a panel, I won't be using batteries, this is a grid tie inverter.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Correct me if I’m wrong. If the main power goes out the solar is off with it.

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Correct me if I’m wrong. If the main power goes out the solar is off with it.

As it should without a battery and grid isolating switch.

Cheers.

Correct me if I’m wrong. If the main power goes out the solar is off with it.

As it should without a battery and grid isolating switch.

Cheers.

Which is normal here, but not until the West wind gets to gusts above 60mph, gusts have been as high as 75mph here.

The micro inverter has a grid isolating switch built in already.

The southern part of Calico Blvd used to have only 1 leg of the local power companies electrical circuit, with the addition of some poles and wire, the road I'm on has 2 legs, one goes out the other should switch on and this has happened. Currently winds are at 5 mph from the West. Which is why I was going to mount the panels on the east side of my home out of the West wind, the other directions are minor and don't amount to much. My last few gas bills and electric bills have been from $97.72 to $107.98 and the KW used was 381-446Kw, in summer this rises to just over double and summer here comes in May, usually. Natural Gas does go down as right now without a working water heater gas usage is still high @ 56 Therms, other times as low as 14.

I found 4 tires with an install would set me back $394.11 for some Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 (h457) - 195/55r15 Tires which includes installation, of course I still need to buy two 15"x6" Spark rims for $155.74 that match my front rims so I could rotate the tires. August needs to hurry up and get here. These are supposed to have a stiffer side wall and have low rolling resistance, important in a 2,866.01lb car.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Day #2 still and what a surreal mix...

Also had no other option than to risk a fish 'n' chips. At least there was included an excuse of a side salad... See how my insides rumble tomorrow...

Already a little weary doing all too much chasing up...

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

It could be a while yet before I go outside this morning as this cold gale continues to blow across the top of this mountain range.

We got off to a 14C (felt like 10C) start here this morning and we're really no better now at 16C (feels like 11C), except that it's brighter, with our expected 22C looking a long way off ATM.

Anyhow I might as well have another coffee and contemplate the rest of the day.

Cheers.

Brisk 49f at the moment with some puffy clouds.
There seems to be a major fish tournament going on. Right at 7 about 30-40 boats all started their engines and they are being released from a starting point about 1 every 2 minutes. Then they are headed out at full speed to fish. Tried to find out what it is and all I can find is that it's called the Open Teams Tournament of Champions. I don't know what kind of fish they are after. But lot's more are waiting to go.

Day #3 and into a grey misty damp start.

... And a very slow start at that... Some persuasions needed to get the group to get coordinated to get the numbers back into a good operating range...

Still working against too much ambivalence...

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Winning on a blowy Monday morning on top of this mountain while enjoying a coffee.

Cheers.

Daylight savings time again. Spring forward a hour. Big whoop. Now you have to adjust your body clock.

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The Bat Boat is out of service still.
The Bat Boat with "the Batman" at the helm.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I took a lull in the wind to go out and water my veggies and do my usual yard inspection now that the temp is up to 17C (feels like 14C) after a 15C (felt like 12C) start with 22C being expected.

I'm hoping that these last few cool, overcast and windy days havn't upset my capsicums, but warmer weather returns tomorrow and with that I better start another jungle taming action.

Anyhow it shouldn't be too long now and I'll be able to get to my cooler weather wicking tub stands as those manic butternut vines die off and then I can move those capsicum plants into a warmer and more protected spot.

Now what to do for 90mins before I attend a BBQ LLB Birthday get together up at the pub?

Cheers.