Power
This module takes you from a list of the appliances you own to a working, safe, stand-alone power system. You will measure your energy needs, check your sun, wind and water resources, choose a system layout and voltage, size the solar array, battery bank, inverter and charge controller, plan backup, and then wire, protect, commission and run it.
Why it matters
Almost every other system on an off-grid estate needs electricity: water pumps, refrigeration, ventilation fans, lighting, communications and tools. An undersized system means dead batteries in the darkest weeks of the year, while an oversized one wastes money that the rest of the build needs. Batteries and DC wiring also store and carry a lot of energy, so poor design is a real fire and shock risk.
Measure your needs (Plan)
- Do a load audit power-1
- Cut demand before you buy hardware power-2
- Build a month by month energy profile power-3
- Bridge a blackout without a full solar build power-29
Assess your energy resources (Plan)
- Find your peak sun hours and design month power-4
- Survey shading and choose roof or ground mounting power-5
- Check whether wind is worth it power-6
- Check whether micro-hydro is worth it power-7
Design and size the system (Design)
- Choose the system architecture power-8
- Pick the system voltage (12, 24 or 48 V) power-9
- Size the solar array power-10
- Choose the battery chemistry power-11
- Size the battery bank power-12
- Size the inverter/charger power-13
- Size the MPPT charge controller power-14
- Plan generator backup power-15
Design for safety and code (Design)
- Choose where batteries may go (location and code) power-16
- Ventilate the battery space and plan for venting gas power-26
- Fit battery fire detection and plan the emergency response power-27
- Size cables for current and voltage drop power-17
- Plan overcurrent protection and isolation power-18
- Plan earthing, bonding and lightning protection power-19
- Get permits and professional sign-off power-20
Build the system (Install)
- Install the array mounting and panels power-21
- Install the power room and wiring power-22
Commission, monitor and manage (Test)
- Commission and test the system power-23
- Set up monitoring power-24
- Manage energy day to day power-25
- Keep EMP-aware spares and offline settings backups power-28