Hey everyone, The Lees here, sharing our journey into off-grid living and how we’re making our sustainable dreams a reality, despite the distance and the busy pace of life. It’s been a while since our last update, but we’re excited to dive into the details of our latest project: a DIY ground-mount solar installation that’s transforming our property and our approach to sustainable living.
The Solar Journey Begins
Living nine hours away from our property requires meticulous planning for each visit. Our initial vision involved creating a custom mounting system for our solar panels atop a shipping container, leveraging our welding skills for a fully DIY approach. However, we quickly encountered logistical and cost challenges that made us reconsider our strategy.
The IronRidge Solution
Enter IronRidge, a game-changer in our solar project. IronRidge’s online calculator and blueprint service allowed us to precisely plan our solar array, considering factors like wind rating and geographical location. Opting for IronRidge’s components and purchasing steel from Industrial Metal Supply streamlined our installation process, making our limited time on the property more productive.
Building the Array
Our system, spanning 42.5 feet with 14-foot rails, required robust support—three-inch galvanized steel pipes—to withstand 30 mph winds, an essential consideration for our area’s ground termite issues. Our array, consisting of 24 305-watt panels, brings us just under 10 kilowatts of solar power, feeding into four charge controllers and storing energy in batteries to power our off-grid setup.
The Installation Process
The installation was a labor of love, taking a week of hard work to dig holes, erect poles, and mount the panels. Challenges like sourcing the correct galvanized pipes and digging in rock-filled soil tested our resolve but also underscored the importance of precise planning and resourcefulness in off-grid living.
Overcoming Obstacles
From miscommunications with suppliers to the physical demands of installing heavy panels, each hurdle taught us valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. Using tools like the Harbor Freight auger for digging and a skid steer for mounting the top row of panels were just some of the innovative solutions we employed to overcome the challenges of our remote setup.
The Rewards of DIY Solar
Seeing our solar array come to life was incredibly rewarding. Not only does it reduce our reliance on generators and fossil fuels, but it also empowers us to use electric heating in the winter, significantly improving our quality of life on the property.
What’s Next?
Our journey doesn’t stop here. The next steps involve finalizing the electrical setup, trenching wires, and preparing for the installation of our brick machine. Each project brings us closer to realizing our vision of a sustainable, off-grid lifestyle.
Join Our Journey
We’re thrilled to share our experiences and learnings with you, and we hope our story inspires others to explore the possibilities of solar energy and off-grid living. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being a part of our journey into sustainable living with IronRidge, solar mounting, and DIY ground-mount projects.
We put this massive solar system by ourselves! #ironridge #solarmounting #offgridliving