Paging Redbeard...off the grid solar?
 

I'm looking at buying a patch of land in the local desert outside of L.A., might be a while before buildings go up. I want to park my RVs and have solar power, there is no electric on the land yet but it's nearby. Dig a well, grow veggies, solar power and I could fake my own death and disappear.

J/k...but definitely curious about the solar deal. Unfortunately, I know zilch about it...there are panels that absorb the sunlight, that's about it. If there is one thing in abundance around here, it's sunlight. And heat, most of the year.

School me, Sir Redbeard! And anyone else w knowledge, please chime in! SmileWavy

Interested in his response...

I have portable solar that I use when camping to keep the batteries topped off. I just used it this week in sub 20 degree weather and it kept the batteries full even while the heater ran a lot during the day.

You'll need a battery based system.

120VAC is cheaper
240VAC is more expensive

Batteries: How often will they cycle? If you are planning long term, you want better batteries.

Generator: I always suggest a propane based generator for off-grid. Propane doesn't go "bad" like liquid fuels.

Solar Panels: You will want a "ground mount" system. If done right, this could also provide shade for the RV.

MOST RVs are 120VAC, even if they have a "240" setup.

The nice thing, if you are only there part time, you can do a smaller solar array and let the batteries charge. However, panels are the cheapest part of the system. Batteries are the most expensive, followed by the generator.

Oh, and next year, the Solar Energy Tax Credit will be 20%.

Solar Energy Tax Credit?!?

Move this to PARF for the love of all things something or the other:D

James, we'll be in touch again soon.

Denis, where are you planning on setting up? Give me a 20 miles radius.

“ Dig a well, grow veggies, solar power and I could fake my own death and disappear.”

You win the Internet 2020 :D

I did the whole off grid solar system this last summer at my remote mountain cabin. I have about 500 watts in panels feeding into a quality controller feeding into 2 big Duracell Ultra deep cycle batteries 155 amp hours each. A 2000 W inverter powers up my AC stuff. This is plenty for my needs in my small 2 bedroom cabin. 12V goose neck reading lights at the beds with USB ports, flip on 12V led lights in the kitchen and stair well,
and 12V flip on rope lighting hidden behind soffits in the bedrooms. You want to connect the batteries in parallel for off grid. I learned how to do the whole system without burning my house down on you tube videos. Amazing amount of free good info on you tube, easy peasy to do a ground mount temporary system

Is the fed tax credit only good for your primary residence?

Good for Primary and Secondary. An RV counts as secondary.

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/01/f70/Guide%20to%20Federal%20Tax%20Credit%20for%20Reside ntial%20Solar%20PV.pdf

Thanks Red Beard, good to know. You might have just saved me some moola!
I didn't even think of it and should have. I'm in the process of solar for my primary and there Fed rebate alone is around 7K

Angeles Forrest, not too far off the 14 freeway and AFH exit. :cool:

Denis, budget a huge water tank. I looked at buying land there. The well requirements are super-goofy if you plan on having water there. Digging a well is huge money there....and if it doesn't flow a certain GPH....you're outta luck.

That definitely sounds like directions from someone in SoCal. ;)

Denis. You'll probably need a 10K gal. tank. That's what's code now & most likely the same there. Don't know about off grid though. I'll come up & devine a well location for you if you want - assumiing there is water there. That's what I did for my place.

Thanks, Marv! I just assume that there is water not too far down because there are neighbors around, (pretty close), and the one person I know close by definitely has a well with an electric pump. His water pressure is pretty normal, I've used the hose.

Denis, when you are ready to dig your well ping me, I know a guy. He has been doing this all over SoCal for 30 years and knows all the CA legal hurdles.

ive got some solar panels, controller and an invertor that i recently decommissioned that i am looking to get rid of. the set up powered the garage at my house and was installed when the garage was constructed approx 3 years ago prior to me buying the place a bit over a year ago. the system would not power my compressor or other high demand shop tools so i converted the garage to power from the house. i have been meaning to list the 4 2.5'x6' panels and other components locally but to this point have not gotten to it. i believe with a fresh set of batteries, a better, or multiple invertors this system would be a decent set up. i do not know what it's worth, but would consider selling for a pelican brother price if one was to consider coming up to nocal near Yosemite to collect it. maybe Redbeard could chime in on what would be a fair price considering what ive stated above.



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the panel rack would be included as well if you could transport it. let me know your thoughts, and not to hi-jack i would be curious what redbeard feels i have here.

t

Interesting. My sister has a house in Fish camp. She might be interested.

Honestly, panels are dirt cheap right now. Brand new 320 Watt panels are going for $130.

thanks for the insight on worth, or lack there of..... i was going to ask $500 for the whole set up locally, but that seems like a stretch now. i figured on the value being in the panels cause the invertor is around $300 new with the controller <$100. im in twain harte if your sister is interested and speeder is not.