Re: Wind Solar unreliable compared to Gas Coal Nuclear

"cshenk"  wrote in message 
news:[email protected]...

Don't be so tied to battery backups.  It's not a 'can't afford it yet'
in the way you seem to be pushing.  It's 'may add a 4-6 hour unit' to
prevent higher peak hour consumption rates'.  With no cut-out switch,
it's only usable when grid is up.  The potential jackery backup is for
use during grid down times for basic comfort.

You seem to address this from 'desirement'.  This is very different
from my point view which is 'requirement' based.

The math doesn't work out here on 'bang for the buck'.  You did catch
that I only produce 92% of my annual needs' right?  A honkin' big
backup battery setup would not only never fill, some of it would be
lost whereas I am protected from any loss as it is as that storage is
nown the problem of the grid.  I get all of it back with no loss.

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I didn't check the details, but this is a very competitive price per KWH and 
hopefully a good sign of a continuing downward trend.
https://sungoldpower.com/collections/new-years-sale/products/5-12kwh-powerwall-lifepo4-lithium-battery-sg48100m

Being LiFePO4 it doesn't ever need to fill, the suggested charge level for 
maximum life is 60-80%. It or similar could be charged from 120VAC when your 
rate is low and used when it's high, or saved for outages, avoiding the 
expense of new panels and their installation and wiring.

However the IRS apparently doesn't allow a Form 5695 deduction for batteries 
not exclusively charged by alternate energy. I arranged my system so only 
the batteries for daily cycling I bought used at a flea market and didn't 
claim are charged with a prioritized mix of solar then grid when solar 
output is low or uncertain. In clear weather I switch the grid input off and 
discharge the battery overnight. The batteries bought new and claimed are 
separately solar charged in clear weather and saved for outage backup.

The most common use of the system is to go on battery when a night squall 
line or thunderstorm is predicted, so my electronics are isolated from the 
power line.

If you have a secure location like an enclosed deck a Jackery etc could be 
charged outdoors from free-standing panels either aimed due south or 
occasionally shifted toward the sun. I made fold-out panel rear supports 
from 1/2" electrical conduit bent into a V. On clear days my batteries 
recharge before noon and the initial 10AM panel aim is enough. 100W panels 
are now below $70.

Since I build whatever I want I have no experience with Jackerys or similar. 
I do have an old Harbor Freight 5-in-1 power pack refitted with LiFePO4 but 
18Ah (216Wh) won't run much overnight.