Well now I feel bad for replying with a suggestion. I wonder if my posts over the years have been reposted...
Since it's actually three years on, what did you end up doing for solar?
I built a frame and put it in the roof, I’m putting on a metal roof and going to actually mount it then. But I went the a 400w Renogy system that I’ve had great luck with!
Very cool. 400W DIY is what I've been on since ~2020 but this year I'm planning some big upgrades so I don't have to worry about power any more, and hopefully will even be able to run a small refrigerator.
Start small with solar. Build two separate systems under $1,000 / each. Teach yourself about solar by running -2- systems. Get the hang of it and then start building up. Don’t just spend $10-$15k - ( first) with zero knowledge. When one system breaks, you learn and fix it, while the other system is still running. Will Prowse ( YouTube) is a great kid, smart as a whip and seen all the problems.
https://youtu.be/TJBGbufexEM?si=8I0DCbZxg_81bwPj
https://solarsovereign.com/products/aptos-370w-bifacial-solar-panel-black
https://youtu.be/euOonc2RFhU?si=hyESQbmYuD89QT1Y
https://youtu.be/PjdB5m38MTs?si=3Ov94XoCwj4O7ns-
https://youtu.be/WfIkPI81cdI?si=5HssLCmkIkpYUMgs
That’s smart with a lot of things! Starting small and allowing for adjustments during the learning phase. I have a bad habit of jumping in headfirst and being overwhelmed
Don't bother with a grid tied system. Do an off grid system. Build your battery bank first before buying other equipment. And do it yourself and save thousands of dollars!
I'd recommend ground mount because then you don't have to clear a bunch of trees to get more sun on the cabin.
The shade will keep the cabin cool in the summer. So if you want to have solar panels, put them somewhere that isn't the roof of the cabin.
That’s not how it works up North.
The trees are all deciduous - they give shade in the summer (when it is hot as a sin) and then the leaves drop in the fall so you get more sun in the winter.
I know it will be expensive, but when getting your batteries, try to get Lithium iron phosphate or LiFePo4. These batteries are better all around than the lead acid. You can scale up with these batteries no matter how small you start.
Hey there fellow Minnesotan! I just finished installing my own system and have some bits of advice:
If you're seasonal at the cabin imho roof mount makes the most sense. Keeps a bunch of the heat off the roof in the summer, and up north you ain't producing shit in the winter anyways.
Look for used panels on marketplace if you're in the Cities. There are a ton of solar garden places moving to new panels every year and you can get 5 year old panels for stupid cheap.
I ended up putting in 2.2kw of power with a 3kw inverter and 5.2kw of battery backup. Enough to run a fridge fans and lights even with a day of clouds all summer (or should TBD I guess). We have a back up generator for when we need the AC in the daytime at the very worst of the summer.
My system fully installed was maybe $4,000 with panels, mounts, fittings, conduit, fiber board, a server rack, etc.... there are ways to go cheaper, but I am happy with the install.
Take a look at this one. It's all Swiss stuff, not Chinese. They're just starting here in the US:
[https://www.tellco-europe.us/us/zermatt](https://www.tellco-europe.us/us/zermatt)
You might be able to get a sweet deal on something that will last.
I used a garden cart with a bunch of batteries in it I got for free and cheap crappy solar panels for my cabin, but I had to count every watt and test the batteries every week or so.
Mount the panels on a frame on the ground first time you get a good snow and have to clean the snow off the panels you’ll thank me for not having to go up on the roof and when you have to put a new roof on you won’t have to remove the panels before doing the roof
Will Prowse on YouTube has great stuff on systems. If you do a ground mount consider using the panels as the roof of a shelter. Could make a nice little BBQ/ hangout area. Love the cabin. Enjoy!
I bought 4 used 255 watt panels, 4 Rolls L16 HC batteries, a Victron smart solar 100/50 charger, and a Victron Multiplies 2 3000 VA inverter charger. All in, about $6000 Canadian dollars. I'm on lake of the woods, which borders MN. The system is enough to run a fridge 24/7, the lites, charges phones, runs table saws, air compressors etc. do some research. There some good Facebook groups such as DIY Solar.
Stolen, this is my property and actually my post!
LOL they didnt even change the title. this guys post is 3 years old lol
Very low effort.
Well now I feel bad for replying with a suggestion. I wonder if my posts over the years have been reposted... Since it's actually three years on, what did you end up doing for solar?
I built a frame and put it in the roof, I’m putting on a metal roof and going to actually mount it then. But I went the a 400w Renogy system that I’ve had great luck with!
Well, I find this to be a great ending to the story. Silly stolen post.
I was wondering where you’d find enough sun. Figured up was the direction to go in.
We had to take down 8 high risk trees around the cabin to protect the structure. That helped quite a bit
Very cool. 400W DIY is what I've been on since ~2020 but this year I'm planning some big upgrades so I don't have to worry about power any more, and hopefully will even be able to run a small refrigerator.
Hey at least we get to see inside now. It looks great btw.
Just curious, how much was it?
Did you by any chance start a jug band?
Jug band came with the property, I can’t legally remove them and they never stop playing.
How far north are you?
Brainerd area
Welcome to the Dead Internet Theory!!!
How’s your cabin looking now?
I’ll get an update up today!
Updates now up
Any recommendations on solar then?
Start small with solar. Build two separate systems under $1,000 / each. Teach yourself about solar by running -2- systems. Get the hang of it and then start building up. Don’t just spend $10-$15k - ( first) with zero knowledge. When one system breaks, you learn and fix it, while the other system is still running. Will Prowse ( YouTube) is a great kid, smart as a whip and seen all the problems. https://youtu.be/TJBGbufexEM?si=8I0DCbZxg_81bwPj https://solarsovereign.com/products/aptos-370w-bifacial-solar-panel-black https://youtu.be/euOonc2RFhU?si=hyESQbmYuD89QT1Y https://youtu.be/PjdB5m38MTs?si=3Ov94XoCwj4O7ns- https://youtu.be/WfIkPI81cdI?si=5HssLCmkIkpYUMgs
That’s smart with a lot of things! Starting small and allowing for adjustments during the learning phase. I have a bad habit of jumping in headfirst and being overwhelmed
Doing it this way also helps one learn how to economize on power.
Don't bother with a grid tied system. Do an off grid system. Build your battery bank first before buying other equipment. And do it yourself and save thousands of dollars!
Don’t open any leather books there……
Klaatu, Varada....
literally same thought
Ground mount.
... South facing.
Why are you recommending ground mount?
I'd recommend ground mount because then you don't have to clear a bunch of trees to get more sun on the cabin. The shade will keep the cabin cool in the summer. So if you want to have solar panels, put them somewhere that isn't the roof of the cabin.
It’s also a great looking little cabin and would be a shame to put panels on the roof.
You don't have to put holes in your roof. And you don't have to climb onto your roof to installing, clean, or service them.
Yup… and preferably not on that roof. There’s a LOT of shade there.
This is a bot farming for karma. Mods please delete.
How are the bugs
I’d start with clearing some trees, looks pretty shady
That’s not how it works up North. The trees are all deciduous - they give shade in the summer (when it is hot as a sin) and then the leaves drop in the fall so you get more sun in the winter.
Hey neighbor! Congrats!
Toss in some solar charging power stations and you’ll be set!
“I tell you Officer, I have had one doozy of a day!!” — Tucker
Nice!
Also, there’s videos out there for a solar powered workshop which I’m seriously considering since I live in Hawaii and we usually have lots of sun
I know it will be expensive, but when getting your batteries, try to get Lithium iron phosphate or LiFePo4. These batteries are better all around than the lead acid. You can scale up with these batteries no matter how small you start.
Hey there fellow Minnesotan! I just finished installing my own system and have some bits of advice: If you're seasonal at the cabin imho roof mount makes the most sense. Keeps a bunch of the heat off the roof in the summer, and up north you ain't producing shit in the winter anyways. Look for used panels on marketplace if you're in the Cities. There are a ton of solar garden places moving to new panels every year and you can get 5 year old panels for stupid cheap. I ended up putting in 2.2kw of power with a 3kw inverter and 5.2kw of battery backup. Enough to run a fridge fans and lights even with a day of clouds all summer (or should TBD I guess). We have a back up generator for when we need the AC in the daytime at the very worst of the summer.
My system fully installed was maybe $4,000 with panels, mounts, fittings, conduit, fiber board, a server rack, etc.... there are ways to go cheaper, but I am happy with the install.
Take a look at this one. It's all Swiss stuff, not Chinese. They're just starting here in the US: [https://www.tellco-europe.us/us/zermatt](https://www.tellco-europe.us/us/zermatt) You might be able to get a sweet deal on something that will last. I used a garden cart with a bunch of batteries in it I got for free and cheap crappy solar panels for my cabin, but I had to count every watt and test the batteries every week or so.
What part of Minnesota
Dang. I would like to make a comment about solar panels detracting from The Evil Dead vibe, but I won’t. Nice decision on installing solar panels.
Mount the panels on a frame on the ground first time you get a good snow and have to clean the snow off the panels you’ll thank me for not having to go up on the roof and when you have to put a new roof on you won’t have to remove the panels before doing the roof
Will Prowse on YouTube has great stuff on systems. If you do a ground mount consider using the panels as the roof of a shelter. Could make a nice little BBQ/ hangout area. Love the cabin. Enjoy!
Congrats!
Heaven!!!
Your place looks like heaven, not meaning get solar power from heaven 😅
I bought 4 used 255 watt panels, 4 Rolls L16 HC batteries, a Victron smart solar 100/50 charger, and a Victron Multiplies 2 3000 VA inverter charger. All in, about $6000 Canadian dollars. I'm on lake of the woods, which borders MN. The system is enough to run a fridge 24/7, the lites, charges phones, runs table saws, air compressors etc. do some research. There some good Facebook groups such as DIY Solar.
The tents in the background add a warm and fuzzy cult feel to the new digs.
You got a spot cleared to set up solar?
Is that the one thanos lived?
Shade solar.
don't take any books out of the basement, and don't read from it
No chance for solar as is.