Do you have an example of stealth solar?
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@byteknight amazing! I run the solarcene.community mastodon instance on something similar
@smallsolar Very cool!
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Do you have an example of stealth solar?
I've been thinking a lot about 'stealth solar' where people attach #solarpanels to places in a subtle way to capture the sun's energy. It might be stealth as there are strict rules or just want to keep it low key. #balconysolar is sort of stealth gone mainstream.
With cheaper MPPT devices you can now accept slightly poorer efficiency due to placement and with microinverters don't need to make long strings. I particularly think that there is no point having a solar panel in storage, best get it out there and generating even if it's in a temporary place!
So I thought I'd start a small website that documents different stealth setups, so if you have cheeky solar panels and would be willing to share a little info (but not too much if it would get you in trouble) get in touch.
Not sure if it fits your theme, per se...
My first #Solar installation was with the panels mounted on an old chicken tractor that was no longer in use...
Eventually moved them onto some gate hinges hanging on a beam under the eaves on my #TinyHouse so I can angle them or put them down as needed, without having to invest in fancy roof mount hardware.
Building it on a "vehicle" rather than a "house" allows more flexibility for #DIY installations, not needing an inspection, etc.
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Not sure if it fits your theme, per se...
My first #Solar installation was with the panels mounted on an old chicken tractor that was no longer in use...
Eventually moved them onto some gate hinges hanging on a beam under the eaves on my #TinyHouse so I can angle them or put them down as needed, without having to invest in fancy roof mount hardware.
Building it on a "vehicle" rather than a "house" allows more flexibility for #DIY installations, not needing an inspection, etc.
@vagrantc I think that is exactly what I'm exploring, I agree about keeping things 'potentially mobile' makes things generally easier.
I particularly like the idea of adding panels to things that are perhaps just sitting rusting as their previous role is now not required.
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@vagrantc I think that is exactly what I'm exploring, I agree about keeping things 'potentially mobile' makes things generally easier.
I particularly like the idea of adding panels to things that are perhaps just sitting rusting as their previous role is now not required.
@vagrantc also, a potential contractor pointed out to me how impractical roofs are for solar
- setup requires scaffolding
- every maintenance requires scaffolding
- the city may have something to say about the project (as in “lol no”)
- depending what the roof is made of, every time someone goes up there handling a heavy panel, tiles are going to need replacement
- might not have the best orientation
- etc.
But a structure made for them on the ground? Many of these points get solved by this
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@smallsolar @sheddi if you are paying a sparky price a proper install instead. A non fancy brand 3.6 or 5kW inverter that'll take standard 48v batteries is a grand, 16kWh of battery is about 1500 and some cables and stuff. Once you go over a tiny size wired in wins if you can do it, especially as the sparky can claim the vat off and you can't.
@etchedpixels @smallsolar
Sorry, thought I'd replied here but now see I didn't!I fully agree that for a larger system it makes sense to have a professional installation. I've already got a rooftop PV system (2012 vintage, relatively low efficiency but earning FIT money). My Ecoflow kit is a fun experiment that also fulfils an offer I made to my wife to make her art shed off-grid-capable (albeit only during the months she doesn't need heating).
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Do you have an example of stealth solar?
I've been thinking a lot about 'stealth solar' where people attach #solarpanels to places in a subtle way to capture the sun's energy. It might be stealth as there are strict rules or just want to keep it low key. #balconysolar is sort of stealth gone mainstream.
With cheaper MPPT devices you can now accept slightly poorer efficiency due to placement and with microinverters don't need to make long strings. I particularly think that there is no point having a solar panel in storage, best get it out there and generating even if it's in a temporary place!
So I thought I'd start a small website that documents different stealth setups, so if you have cheeky solar panels and would be willing to share a little info (but not too much if it would get you in trouble) get in touch.
@smallsolar Thanks to you for posting and to everyone who has commented. Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday
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@smallsolar Here's my backyard garbage can solar setup. These are two 100 watt panels which charge a 280 Ah LiFePO4 battery in my basement, no grid-tie. Once we get out of the winter months this produces more than enough energy to run my washing machine, among other things.
I've got various other panels kicking around, but this is my 'main' system for which a better mount is on the list of projects.
@toroidalcore hey, could I use your image of garbagecansolar in my stealth solar guide? obviously with credit.
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@toroidalcore hey, could I use your image of garbagecansolar in my stealth solar guide? obviously with credit.
@smallsolar Sure, go ahead!
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Do you have an example of stealth solar?
I've been thinking a lot about 'stealth solar' where people attach #solarpanels to places in a subtle way to capture the sun's energy. It might be stealth as there are strict rules or just want to keep it low key. #balconysolar is sort of stealth gone mainstream.
With cheaper MPPT devices you can now accept slightly poorer efficiency due to placement and with microinverters don't need to make long strings. I particularly think that there is no point having a solar panel in storage, best get it out there and generating even if it's in a temporary place!
So I thought I'd start a small website that documents different stealth setups, so if you have cheeky solar panels and would be willing to share a little info (but not too much if it would get you in trouble) get in touch.
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@smallsolar I have something similar and from that very brand, and I’ve written about it here
https://infosec.exchange/@GuillaumeRossolini/114528117027500354
I’m not plugging the panels in a wall outlet and I’m not connecting them to the grid. This is just a temporary setup in an isolated circuit.
The panels are in the garden, connected to the battery which is located inside the house; the inverter is in storage, I don’t need it since there is no connection to the grid and it’d be draining the battery faster
The washing machine is usually plugged into the battery
I have one cable leading from the battery to my office to power stuffs when there is enough sunlight that day, and I’ll often switch everything back to the wall outlet or to the battery depending on weather conditions
Another cable is extended on demand when I need vacuuming done
As soon as the sun starts typically shining enough of the day, which is right about now, I extend another cable to the living room for the TV and whatnot, but that’s a tough one for my tiny setup to absorb, so there’s a lot of plugging and unplugging daily for that one
I stopped trying to power the freezer with the same panels, I tried that last year but it was stressful
Every night, I tell the battery to stop powering everything; every morning, I tell it to enable the output again
Still, I’m getting a lot from just two panels and a small battery
@smallsolar these may be better shots, I like my yard a little overgrown
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@smallsolar these may be better shots, I like my yard a little overgrown
@GuillaumeRossolini oh I like the look, could I use these on the stealth solar site?
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@GuillaumeRossolini oh I like the look, could I use these on the stealth solar site?
@smallsolar sure, be my guest!
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R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic
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