How many kilowatt hours per day do you need is the place to start to size the system and battery storage.
I have a small system capable 4 kwh avg daily production with 5 kwh usable battery storage.
It's hybrid off grid/on grid.
Quoting: Remedial_Rebel We're looking at 5300watts off grid.
Have 3 main areas to split that power. Aside from water which is covered separately.
I'm thinking of dividing the panel powers into separate banks. It's enough to cover us according to our electric bill, but I'm thinking of doing 3 separate systems in effect to make sure we're good.
Is that foolish?
There's the barn...low except for occasional welder use and a big freezer. Then the enclosed greenhouse which is all to shade tolerant plants and a small aquaponics system, then the house, which is the main digs.
I've been running off grid for ten years now.
40 panels, 6kw system with xantec inverter.
I run a parallel on grid system, it cost extra wiring but it was worth it.
You want to use grid power as long as that's available. I don't recommend grid tied systems, they generally don't allow any battery storage, so keep that on a separate system you can change with one switch.
If I could do it over, I'd keep all water pumping on solar 100% on its own system and I would only use Grunfos direct powered pumps. They work directly off the panels, which you place right next to the pump. The sun shines on the panels and the pump runs -- dead simple. The house, freezers, etc on a separate circuit that can switch between grid or solar. Make sure your house uses the minimum power, i.e LED bulbs everywhere. Any outbuildings you should use "mini grids" with their own panels, inverters and batteries.
The latest sealed battery tech the LiFePo are worth looking at. They are super low maintenance and should last 10,000 cycles.
You want to keep a spare inverter, as well.
