something new

[maple flats]

In my quest for self power I added an item in my arsenal today. Since in a power shortage gas would be hard to get and it stores poorly for long periods of time, I ordered a diesel generator today. I ordered a 7500 watt surge/6000 watt continuous genny. I have a 300 gal diesel tank that is always kept at 50% or more full and a 150 gal at another location, about 7/10 miles away with another 50-100 gal at most times, I figured this to be a good idea to go with my developing solar/wind alternative energy system. I have my first 150 watt solar panel arriving mid week, a charge controller and my semi pure sine wave inverter rated at 2500/5000 watt stackable ( more can be wired in as long as the wattages are the same, voltages can vary, so I could get 25,000 or even 50,000 watt banks) also coming next week. I will wire from the panel to the charger/batteries with heavy enough wire to handle about 3 more panels the same volts and watts for next year's expansion. Until then I will use the generator more often as needed, it has remote start. I am starting with only a 200 amp/hour battery bank but when the system needs to grow I will sell or re assign those batteries and add a new bank to handle a bigger load. I still have not completely decided if i will run onto the grid. Tax credits seem to only be available if grid tied but the $4,000 (I got a quote this year) to connect seems like some more solar equipment to me. And the intrigue of being free of the grid really sounds tempting