This virus thing has got me thinking

[solarman216]

Seems to me that with the advent of near instant global communication that enables scare stuff like this virus issue, is not going to be a one off thing, and I am getting older and therefore less able, so need to look to see what I can do to make my life less problematic as time goes on.

So solar (PV) seems a good investment for me, it is fit and forget re maintenance, but I am at my limit now for my existing battery bank, so another 2 sets of panels plus charge controller, plus another 1000 Ah of traction batteries total cost approx £4000 Mmmm lot of money but life of this lot will be beyond my life.

However I would only estimate that all of that would only reduce my fuel cost by around half for a year so should see my money back in about 8 years, will I still be here in that time?

Hard decision to make, lots of other variables to take into consideration.

So at the mo undecided, Rick

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

You need to come up with some ideas or schemes to reduce the cost of fitting more panels and batteries Rick.

 

[macabethiel]

Do you have access to Mains Electric at all ?

If you have access to grid mains how about using it off peak only to charge your batteries and provide power at peak times such as winter months only?

 

[solarman216]

You need to come up with some ideas or schemes to reduce the cost of fitting more panels and batteries Rick.

Panels and batteries cost what they cost, my labor is for nothing, Rick

 

[solarman216]

If you have access to grid mains how about using it off peak only to charge your batteries and provide power at peak times such as winter months only?

I am off grid that is the whole point, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

i seem to remember that you have your own water,is it fast enough to put a modern mini hydro in stream as every little helps even if it 1000w.

 

[solarman216]

i seem to remember that you have your own water,is it fast enough to put a modern mini hydro in stream as every little helps even if it 1000w.

Made a 10ft water wheel some years ago worked well when it rained produced abut 5 amps @24v but last 3 years or so it has done nothing, water has dried up, Rick