We have a remote summer fishing lodge in Canada currently using 15 kw diesel on a 24/7 basis. It is often working at 100% capacity. We want to install an inverter, battery and PV system to cut fuel & emmisions. As a fly-in every drum of diesel costs double once we haul it by float plane.
1/ Some folks have reccommended the most bang for the buck might be to get the system without any PV panels and that would allow us to cut the generator run time and keep the cost lowest. Any comments on this?
2/ My generator guy who is now also into alternative power has given me a number of options on configuration. The latest configuration he suggests is one OBPS4 VFX3648Q 14.4 Outback Power Center, 3 MX60 MPPT Charge Controllers, 24 Surrette 2V 2KS-33PS 2491 Ahr@100 hr rate Cells and 30 Sharp 165 watt panels plus the combiner boxes, breakers, mounts and cables. In studying all this over the last year, I understand that it is best to stick to 1 string of cells as opposed to multiple strings. I am leanning towards moving up to the 24 of the 2YS-31PS 3426 Ahr Cells instead to get the additional 37% battery capacity. Any body have pricing on 24 of these batteries and do I need 3 of the MX60's?
3/ Also, I see at the altenergystore.com online store that the OBPS4 VFX3648Q has a bunch of optional add ons. What do I want or need? For example an Amp hour meter or one of the other options?
4/ I don't see lightening arrestors listed by my guy. What do I want?
5/ I'm in a very short rot season @ 52.5 degrees Latitude so can I save the money on PV mounts and use treated wood bolted to my steel roof? I understand a need to maintain at least 3" of space for venting / cooling. I also will build the roof to the optimal pitch and face due south.
6/ What total wattage of panels do I want for the 15kw setup? At 21.6 kw my guy had 72 x 150 w = 10,800 watts and now he specified 30 x 165 w = 4950 watt for the 14.4 kw. Based on the ratio he used for the 21.6, I calculate that I should be 7200 watts @ 14.4 kw inverter sizing. I am confused and based on the reccomendation of completely skipping the PV panels, I guess that all this really only changes my fuel consumption by either increasing or decreasing the amount of power from PV. Yes/No?
Any help you folks can offer will be greatly appreciated. I am a jack of all trades and master of none so I do know a little about many things but alt energy is one that I'm only learning.
Thanks, Tom Metzner
www.bullmoosecamp.com