PV Website V2.6last major revision= January 21, 2000
An off-the-grid Photovoltaic Power System
Location: northern Vermont, USA, North America, Earth, 1 au from the
Sun, Milky Way, local galactic group, the Universe.
This system has worked basically trouble free since it was installed in
1992, during the construction of the house. The only problems have been
with the generator which was 20 years old when the system was installed
and has since been replaced.
The panels collect sun light and convert it to about 15 volts DC and
are wired to deliver 24-30 volts and 26 amps (max) to the charge
controller.
Charge Controller. Heliotrope CC60.
The charge controller or regulator takes the in coming power from the
panels and when the batteries reach full charge it disconnects the
panels from the batteries and also displays battery voltage and
incoming amps
12 Trojan T - 105 Deep Cycle, Lead Acid batteries.
Each battery is six volts and they are wired for 24 volts and 660 amp
hours
New addition to the system! We've upgraded to a state-of-the-art
sine-wave inverter, an Outback Power Systems FX2024 inverter/Charger.
The power is smoother than grid and there's no generator/battery
tranfer delay. Outback Power Systems.
Our old, and now backup inverter is a Trace 2524SB TURBOCHARGER. This
modified sine-wave inverter converts the 24 volt power from the
batteries to 110 volts AC.
Kohler 6kw Diesel generator, for backup.
Fused batteries to inverter disconnect (200 watts).
Fused disconnect -Photovoltaic to Charge controller.
Outback Power Systems. Homepower Magazine a must for anyone using or considering a renewable
power system no matter what size. Their page has the current issue in
adobe acrobat format and a good links page.
While we always had an interest in renewable energy, it was only
feasibly when we discovered that the cost of bringing in power was
equal or more than photovoltaics and a generator at our remote
residence.
