Two pronged question:Solar

[-]

lostscause@reddit

Sounds like you want go "off grid" during an outage.

Pallet of used 230-300 watt 24v from Ebay is the best bang for the buck in 10KW range. Just lay them out on a ground flat if ever you need emergency power. Get the MC4 combiners and fuses Just make sure to stay with in the limits of your device you are charging

The Jackery Homepower 3000 has a DC input limit of 1000 watts at 24v ie. 4 250watt panels

in real life you could do 6 flat on the ground in summer. (careful of winter time)

Your better off building your own system battery/inverter at 240v 48v if you want the 10-12kw range.

https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Lithium-Battery-Stacking-Off-Grid/dp/B0DJ4R6M1G

https://www.amazon.com/SmartSolar-MPPT-100-Charge-Controller/dp/B073ZJ3L13

https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Charger-15000W-Battery-Frequency/dp/B0CQS72Z8B

Just get it working once , label everything and store

Use fuses/breakers everywhere,

Use RV plugs meant for sustained loads

Upsize everything .. if it calls for 30AMP use the 50amp version.

Use DC wire on the DC flows, using AC wire with DC side will cause problems

Dont forget to Flip your main and pull your electric meter , else you will back feed the grid

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thx

[-]

Londonlaz@reddit

Check out r/bluetti or r/ jackery. There are many post about solar generator. I've diy by myself many times, and i learnt a lot from there.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks!!

[-]

Yandere_145@reddit

Yes you can set those panels to those power stations. Just remember to make sure that voltage matches the input range. Prepare adapter cables like Anderson in advance. And check the power limit.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

Ryan_e3p@reddit

Unfortunately, you may have missed the boat when it comes to getting the best price. Earlier this year, you would have been able to score a 9 or 10kw pallet of panels for $1,300. Unfortunately now, you're looking at over $2,600 for the cheapest pallet of 30 panels.

My recommendation is to look on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for secondhand panels that were used on homes or commercial buildings, the kind that are big. Permanent-placement panels are generally two sizes, either the \~2'x4' ones, or the ones that are nearly double size at \~4'x8' (some variation depending on manufacturer, of course). The bigger ones put out more power, and because they are larger, are likely harder to sell secondhand, so that is where you are likely to score the best bang for your buck. As long as the pallets aren't older than 10 years, you'll get your money's worth.

As for hooking them up to a portable system like a Jackery or Bluetti? Sure, you can, but you might need to take some extra steps. Those smaller systems are generally not meant to take in huge amounts of solar power. They are often limited to 12V panels, and often as low as only 400W. In that case, you could only use 4x 100W 12V panels in parallel to charge it. This is because portable power setups are typically not built with the best, beefiest solar charge controllers (the component that takes the energy from the solar panel and uses it to charge batteries or make it 'useful' 110V electricity). If you're looking at making a setup that has 10,000-12,000Wh, you would be a lot better off avoiding just hooking up a bunch of portable systems, and getting a more tailored permanent setup.

Permanent solar setups are made to allow for a lot of solar input to not only power houses, but charge batteries at extremely high rates. An example of a component that could be used would be this hybrid inverter ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TVC87KS ) that not only takes the solar energy and makes it usable 5000W (110V, max 45A), but can also charge the batteries at 80 amps. And, you can just stack batteries to your heart's content to get the capacity you want.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks. I guess it’s better to just get a bunch of batteries and don’t the right way

[-]

JRHLowdown3@reddit

Yes, a proper AE system is very beneficial to your preparedness.

You want to develop an off grid system, not a grid tied system.

Panels, MPPTs or old skewl charge controllers, actual inverter charger (i.e, not the $99. car "inverters" from walmart) and battery bank.

The plus of going this route is that since most preppers have some sort of generator, you can use that as part of the system. The inverter/charger connected to the generator takes the AC power from the generator and charges the battery bank. The solar comes in via the DC side of the equation.

Back in the 90's when we got started with off grid solar, panels were VERY expensive, our first Kyocera 130 watt panels were $625. per panel, Over $5. PER WATT. So most people didn't have a large array- we lived off of 1600 watts for many years. So the generator back then was the heart of the system, utilized to run large loads (well pump, etc.) and bulk charge the battery bank. So essentially we would run our 12KW diesel genset in the morning for 30 or so minutes, pump our water and bulk charge the battery bank. My wife would do laundry and we would try to do any heavy loads around the house during this time also. Then the generator would be shut off- water tanks full, battery bank bulk charged, etc. This is how to efficiently use a generator versus running it all day wasting fuel and energy and creating more noise and security issues than necessary.

We later added more panels and increased our system and the generator wasn't needed much at all.

Now that panels are cheaper, it would be wise to invest in a good size system 7KW or more. We paid $.26 a watt delivered last summer for an additional 9.1KW

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Absolutely. Grid tied systems are useless in my eyes

[-]

JRHLowdown3@reddit

I agree, but folks might be able to cobble something together with them post event. Many don't realize without batteries they aren't going to work if the grid goes down. Hopefully those folks have some ideas how their system works.

We knew folks after Helene that were "surprised" their grid tied roof system wouldn't work.

Our system saved our bacon big time, even with some issues with lightning that evidently wrecked a couple of breakers in combiner boxes.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

The cheapest ones your local warehouse has and is aesthetically pleasing to you. Reason being they get damaged in shipping it happens. So you're looking for the place you can drive a truck and get them.

Now panasonic panels have the best warrantee meaning they expect them to still produce far more power than others for 25 years. Around me lasting 25 years means no hail or wind damage. Stock spares and overbuild rather than pay far more as far as prepping is concerned.

No the batteries in a box are a joke to begin with. You can probably find some massively expensive config that will take it but it's absolutely assine to use that junk at scale.

From a prepping perspective magic black boxes are a horrible idea. Learning how to wire up an inverter and some batteries is pretty basic if your going to do a PV prep or even just expect to have electricity in a SHTF. We are taking extremely basic here.

Victron has excellent kit for this and good examples if you need a crib a config. US I assume it's hit or miss if your power company will accept them.

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

Wow... "batteries in a box are a joke" and "magic black boxes are a horrible idea" - next level arrogance here.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

Yup just like a firearm dont prep what you don't know how to use and maintain.

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

You are comparing the safe use and maintenance of a firearm with the safe use and maintenance of a backup power system? If so, then do I need to be a gunsmith to use a firearm? Do I need to be a mechanic to operate a car?

Not everyone has the time, energy, intelligence or desire to build a DIY backup power solution.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

Both things involve potentially energetic chemicals reactions and can kill you.

So yes in the field of prepping it's a basic skill.

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

Your commercial power bank (magic black box) that is professionally engineered, professionally manufactured, comes with detailed instructions for proper use and is designed to be used by ordinary laymen is going to kill you? Really?

And not the homemade DIY setup that random person has cobbled together with no oversight or support?

If your argument is safety, then you are on the wrong side of the equation. Checking the little safety data on this topic, it's almost entirely related to DIY installations.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

When somebody decides to attach through house to one with a suicide cord yup.

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

Not a great argument. But I will counter anyway:

1) You can't fix stupid. Nothing is ever going to stop end users from doing dumb things with any product.

2) Maybe you missed the part about "detailed instructions for proper use" - ?

3) DIY solutions are not immune to improper, unsafe and illegal connections.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

Your supposition is still that electricity isn't an important skill set.

My take is if you don't know how to use it and deal with it safely it's not a prep.

I'm not talking lets get to EE levels, diy is pretty much wire sizing matching fuses. Basic what wire goes where.

Firearms if you dont dont know how to maintain it's not a prep same for vehicles etc etc etc etc.

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

The moving goal posts are here are really something.

Your original argument was based on cost, but then you added a layer of complexity by telling people they needed to learn how to wire up an inverter. Then you shifted gears to safety and when I shot that down you have pivoted to advocating for a skillset that isn't even needed for "magic black boxes".

What knowledge is really required here?

- How to connect your solar panels in an emergency,

- How power is measured/used (watts)

- How power is stored (watt hours)

- Proper storage and very basic care of your power bank

- How to use the app for the power bank (optional)

People have more important things to focus on during an power outage than troubleshooting some homemade DIY setup. Things like water, food, lights, security, kids, staying warm/cool, neighbors, weather, threats, sanitation/hygiene, medical issues, boredom, etc.

There are dozens of good reasons for "batteries in a box" - they are not a horrible idea at all. The two main reasons for a DIY setup would be cost savings and an interesting project for a hobbyist. It makes no sense for most people to DIY a power bank.

I build my own computers but I don't trash talk people who get them from Best Buy. Done with this conversation.

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

Cost was only for equivalent junk hardware as I said in my first post. Stuff you shouldn't prep with.

Knowing how to power up your home safely is a huge prep one you don't get with a battery in a box. It's on par with idiots running extensions cords from a gen set.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Power company?! They would have nothing to do with it! Self contained systems. Would not having the power bank and a couple panels be much much cheaper?

[-]

silasmoeckel@reddit

If your buying equivalent gear DIY is much cheaper. Quality kit it's about the same to a bit more.

Its a little hard to have a seperate system for a well pump etc. Correctly done these things have to interface with your homes power system meaning powermits code etc. More importantly money grid tied pays for itself it a few years freeing u funds to pay for other preps. It's very hard to use all the solar generated in summer.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thank you

[-]

No-Wolverine2472@reddit

Yep! Plus i had zero experience with it and the knowledge curve is pretty cool! And adfter starting small it is pretty easy to go bigger with the know’edge you get!

[-]

Holiday_Albatross441@reddit

I bought the cheapest decent quality panels off Amazon that came with free shipping and plugged them into my Bluetti. The only thing you really have to be careful about is not exceeding the maximum voltage the 'solar generator' can handle... more current is OK but too many volts can burn out the solar controller.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

JRHLowdown3@reddit

On a whim I bought a Bluetti and an Ecoflow last year. One came with a cord that connected to a standard MC4 connector. I hooked it to a small 100watt panel I had and it charged the unit. Can't remember which one came with the cord and which didn't, IIRC the Ecoflow did, it was the bigger of the two.

Anyway, there is cords available with the plug end for the power bank and an MC4 connector. Any newer modern panel that's not some harbor freight BS will have MC4 connector. You will want to not exceed the power input on the bank.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

PrisonerV@reddit

You should maybe ask /r/SolarDIY

I hear good things about Ecoworthy.
I have 5 220w panels hooked up to 2 different power stations right now. If you want10,000 watts (you have a big yard?), you'll probably want to go with something whole-house. I actually see a 10k complete system on Amazon for $10,700 from Ecoworthy.

[-]

Holiday_Albatross441@reddit

Yeah, I've bought a few things from Eco-Worthy and have had no problems so far. I use one of their 100W panels for my Starlink.

My 450W panels are from some Chinese manufacturer I'd never previously heard of which got good reviews and exceed their rated power output but I don't remember who it was.

[-]

PrisonerV@reddit

My 220v panels are Werchtay. Pretty much a no-name brand which claim their new panels are 25% efficiency and have a new design (I admit, they look very different from other solar panels).

I'm getting between 80-90% rated power on them, which is great.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks

[-]

Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit

1 – I bought Bluetti's own portable solar panels (model PV350). They’re well-built and easy to fold up and transport, but definitely not the cheapest per watt. “Best” depends on your needs—some people prefer rigid panels (like Renogy or Rich Solar) for better value if portability isn't required. Whatever you get, make sure you understand voltage, amperage, series vs. parallel wiring, connector types (MC4 vs proprietary), and especially the solar input limits of your power bank.

2 – Short answer: Yes, you can use rigid or folding panels with a Jackery, Bluetti, or other power station—just make sure you stay within the voltage, amperage, and wattage input limits. Most power stations have clearly defined specs in the manual or online.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Thanks!!

[-]

shikkonin@reddit

Look at the data sheets.
Yes.

[-]

ResolutionMaterial81@reddit

Question 1....depends if you are wanting used or new. Some amazing deals can be had on Facebook Marketplace or similar with functional panels that have been pulled out of service during their life-cycle, but with plenty of life remaining.

Plenty of great new panels on the market. I personally went with 42 each Trina TOPCon, Tier 1 panels...600w/665w bifacial. Huge & heavy, but awesome technology. Over 25 kw faceplate & almost 28 kw bifacial.

Question 2....yes you can use fixed panels with the portable power stations. Normally fixed panels are more cost effective per watt anyway, just be absolutely sure the panel VOC doesn't exceed the maximum input voltage of the power station, the polarity is correct & the input type (XT60, Anderson connector, Aviation plug, etc) is matched correctly.

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Excellent thank you!

[-]

Specialist_Loan8666@reddit (OP)

Power company?! They would have nothing to do with it! Self contained systems. Would not having the power bank and a couple panels be much much cheaper?