Posolutely going for a full sol powered grow. It's a couple/few grand+ to get the solar parts (that's overkill but people like us, ADHD/OCD, love overkill) and I've had a few hiccups that've stalled it, but I should have everything in the next couple months (hopefully that, or sooner).
The basics; I'm trying to hit somewhere around 1Kw. I'm using the roughly 20-30% more efficient monocrystalline panels. I have two 100w panels so far, a 1500w pure sign inverter, a 30a PWM charge controller (charge controller was cheap, but pointless because I will need to switch to an MPPT to run the number of panels and batteries I need), and a 100aHr solar deep cycle battery (This will be the most expensive part of the build. You cannot use standard deep cycle batteries, they are built for cranking amperage, will wear out quickly, and are unsafe under charge conditions. Whereas the solar batteries are designed to produce a constant voltage trickle at low current and can handle the charge cycles if kept over 50%. The solar deep cycle will run about $200-$300 per 100aHr and I'll want 400-600aHr or more by the time I'm done.) Then there are a ton of misc cables, brackets, fuses, and such, that add up very quickly.
So there's the basic summary. I could have gone with cheaper parts but if you've seen enough of my growing log, you'll know that I can't bring myself to buy substandard sh*t. Cheap price is ok, cheaply built is no bueno. It will backfire on you at the worst possible times.
Thank you for taking an interest in my journal. Sometimes I post to excess but I try to keep it interesting. I used to write regular articles for a precious metals publication and old habits die hard.
My equipment is boxed up for the move but here is the battery, inverter, and couple of panels with brackets (Brackets are also way expensive at $50 ea set, lowest price, even to fabricate.)
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