Step 1 - Choose an Inverter
From SolarPneumaticHybrid
I want to buy a pure sine wave inverter that also has computer connectivity, a display, a controller for charging batteries, and the logic and intelligence to seamlessly switch between power sources and/or combine sources so that I always have uninterrupted power. Ideally I want something that takes power from solar and wind, then automatically uses any surplus to charge my batteries and then if the batteries are fully charged, sells any surplus to the electric company. Also, when the solar and wind aren't producing enough power it automatically powers the house off the batteries, and when the batteries can't provide enough power, automatically buys power from the electric company.
Ideally I want one box that will do all that. In the worst case scenario, as my system grows I should only have to add an additional box or two, I don't want to have to replace it.
So here is what I am looking at:
- PVP 2000
- Doesn't appear to have a battery controller/charger
- Don't know if it prioritizes sources: Use all solar and wind, only when not enough add battery power, when still not enough draw from the grid
- Don't know if it prioritizes targets: Service all loads from house, if any left over, charge batteries, if any left over, send to grid
- $1980.00
- Xantrex GT 5.0
- Doesn't appear to have a battery controller/charger
- Don't know if it prioritizes sources: Use all solar and wind, only when not enough add battery power, when still not enough draw from the grid
- Don't know if it prioritizes targets: Service all loads from house, if any left over, charge batteries, if any left over, send to grid
- $3,338.00
- Xantrex XW6048 Inverter/Charger 865-1000
- Has battery charger
- Automatically combines solar and wind, then batteries if needed, then grid or can work without grid or without batteries
- Automatically charges batteries when there is a surplus, sends any additional surplus to the grid
- $3,495.00
- This is the one I want, I think it does everything I need
If anyone out there knows where I can get a device like the one I describe, please edit this page or use the discussion tab to fill me in on the details. Your will have to register and log in to do so.
Time line for action
As soon as I come up with $3,495.00 I will install the Xantrex XW6048 Inverter/Charger 865-1000 and write Step 2 - Install Inverter, of course, without solar or wind this will actually cause me to use more power each month but from install to install of 1 or more solar panels will only be about a month. Right now I am paying off all my debts with a few exceptions. Starting in September 2009, all of my debts will be paid off except 30 years left on my mortgage, 2 years left on my car loan, plus a few more debts that amount to less than $100 a month in monthly payments. Until September 2009 I will be paying $1100 per month towards debts that I won't be paying come September. So starting in September I will set aside at least $200 a month towards the purchase of a Xantrex XW6048 Inverter/Charger 865-1000. So that means in less than 18 months I should be able to buy and then install the inverter. I will be adding ads to this site sometime in the next 30 days. Any revenue from the ads will go towards the purchase of the inverter so the more traffic and ad revenue I get the sooner this will happen and the sooner I will start generating valuable case studies, how-tos, and reviews. So somewhere around November 2010 I will start writing detailed instructions with tons of photos and close ups. Then, thirty days or less after installing the inverter I will buy my first solar panel(s) and write Step 3 - Choose Solar Panels and Step 4 - Install Solar Panels.
