04-17-2014, 05:20 AM
Im 100% offgrid, have never paid an electric bill in Hawaii...
I also installed it all myself in 2 days, very basic once you see how it all works.
my setup for my cabin is smaller compared to many larger homes, and I use a propane fridge and stove, so that helps.
one simple key to know is Batteries all have to be the same type and age for best results, so when they start to lose their life, they need to be changed out all at once (my first batch of golfcart batteries lasted 7 years, now I have better ones). You can add more or different types of panels later, the panels dont have to be all the same.
anyone who doesnt take advantage of the sun here in Hawaii is wasting big $$, as most of you know, we have the highest electricity rates in the country. I can never figure out why anyone building a new home now doesnt just put in solar, but then again I say that about those stupid oldschool water heaters too .... get rid of that $$ wasting waterheating tank and get the on demand heaters that come on and heat the water instantly when you turn on the hot water.. ie a Paloma
aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
I also installed it all myself in 2 days, very basic once you see how it all works.
my setup for my cabin is smaller compared to many larger homes, and I use a propane fridge and stove, so that helps.
one simple key to know is Batteries all have to be the same type and age for best results, so when they start to lose their life, they need to be changed out all at once (my first batch of golfcart batteries lasted 7 years, now I have better ones). You can add more or different types of panels later, the panels dont have to be all the same.
anyone who doesnt take advantage of the sun here in Hawaii is wasting big $$, as most of you know, we have the highest electricity rates in the country. I can never figure out why anyone building a new home now doesnt just put in solar, but then again I say that about those stupid oldschool water heaters too .... get rid of that $$ wasting waterheating tank and get the on demand heaters that come on and heat the water instantly when you turn on the hot water.. ie a Paloma
aloha
******************************************************************
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
******************************************************************
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha