Andrew Whynot and Neil adding a second set of 8 PV panels. Now on a clear sunny day I get ~19 amps at 50 volts into the batteries in January, and 24 amps in April. Looks like I have room for 12 more 90 watt panels if needed.

Halifax County, NS

Keywords: hydronic space heating, offgrid, passive, pv, wind turbines

Year Built:

2010-2013

Size:

main floor: 1035 sq ft, 2 baths, 2 bedrooms.

Energy Percents:

40% passive, 40% active, 20% external

External Sources:

Wood: 1 cords, Propane: 700 L,

Cost & Value:

Cost: 250,000

2021: new 100 amp hour LiFePo4 with battery management system in a rack mount case

Purpose

Net zero. Getting close but need a way to store energy from PV in summer.

Lot Characteristics

Slope to east near top of hill 100 feet above sea level.

An open web floor joist gives lots of options for pipes, duct and wire.

Description

Passive windows south side; 16 x 90 watt PV on 16-12 pitch roof with room for 12 more; DHW on roof; Air circulation Active concrete basement floor; R60+ in celing, R40 walls main floor and up, R30 above grade basement walls, R22 below grade basement walls, R10 basement floor.

Fall of 2020: added a 57 foot tilt-down tower and 600/800 watt Suzhou Yueniao Machinery wind turbine.

Batteries:

• Lead acid batteries, AGM 12 volt 370 in a 4x3 array (12 batteries) lasted 6 years.
• Replaced: with an another set of 16 AGM used batteries lasted less than 2 years.
• March 2021: replaced with a LiFePo4 100 amp hour battery with battery management system (bms) in a rack mount case, 51 volts rated at 5.1kwt storage. 2 weeks in and working very well.

Plumbing for DHW glycol

Suppliers

PV: Andrew Whynacht, Conquerall Electrical Bridgewater; Duct work in slab prefab by Millennium Sheet Metal; Duct work: Mariner Forge (Danny); Floor joist and truss: Kent Building Supplies; Windows and doors: Percy's /Kohler; Metal roof: Scotia Metal; Engineering approval for raft foundation: Pat Griggs; Plans: Shawna Henderson

Installers

Excavation, driveway, disposal field and tank: Conrad Construction; Basement ICF, floor joist and truss: Glen Parsons; PV: Andrew Whynacht, Conquerall Electrical Bridgewater; Electrician: Lawrence Monet; Siding: Stan Dixon; Duct work: Mariner Forge (Danny); Plumbing rough-in: Eastern Plumbing; Insulation and vapor barrier: Pat MacDonald Donerite Insulation; Solar DHW, duct and form for slab installed by the owner, me, RW.

Viewing

If you have any questions or want a tour, email hrandallwilson@gmail.com

One thousand foot long road to the new house needed an upgrade.

Electro static filter and fan on the main floor.

Thermodynamics rebuilt solar boiler and tank (with fall protection harness hanging off it.) 12 x 12v Sprinter 375 batteries (3 banks of 4) 48v 4.4kw inverter with transformer for a 120/240 volt system.

3/4" clear stone under the floor. 2" foam ~R10.