03-15-2008, 06:06 PM
John - Didn't Provision become independent of HELCO awhile back? I could be wrong.
As for off grid - we are totally off grid. System has been very reliable. Back during the storms of last Dec, HELCO power was lost by some of our on grid neighbors. Of course we didn't know about it at the time because everything was normal for us. We have a rather substantial system, 4.5 kw of panels (36 panels of 125 watts each). We went with the Outback system - basically all the components wire together neatly on an Outback panel that mounts our charge controllers, breakers and disconnects, inverters. We went with a 48 volt (DC) system which delivers 240 AC to the house. Our electrician wired the house as normal, we could hook up to HELCO type power with no changes to house if it were available. We have a large battery bank, 12 Rolls Surette 4 volt batteries, wired in series for 48 volt. Each battery weighs over 300 lbs. We have a diesel generator for backup.
As for theft - most anything can be stolen. Our panels are mounted on a roof, separate from house. For someone to steal the panels with minimal damage to them (useless if damaged) I wold think would be a time consuming ordeal. I would hope my neighbors would see such activity as suspicious.
David
Ninole Resident
As for off grid - we are totally off grid. System has been very reliable. Back during the storms of last Dec, HELCO power was lost by some of our on grid neighbors. Of course we didn't know about it at the time because everything was normal for us. We have a rather substantial system, 4.5 kw of panels (36 panels of 125 watts each). We went with the Outback system - basically all the components wire together neatly on an Outback panel that mounts our charge controllers, breakers and disconnects, inverters. We went with a 48 volt (DC) system which delivers 240 AC to the house. Our electrician wired the house as normal, we could hook up to HELCO type power with no changes to house if it were available. We have a large battery bank, 12 Rolls Surette 4 volt batteries, wired in series for 48 volt. Each battery weighs over 300 lbs. We have a diesel generator for backup.
As for theft - most anything can be stolen. Our panels are mounted on a roof, separate from house. For someone to steal the panels with minimal damage to them (useless if damaged) I wold think would be a time consuming ordeal. I would hope my neighbors would see such activity as suspicious.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident