I have read about solar systems for years but I still don't understand everything but we are finally building our off grid house and this is the system that an installer came up with. We are a family of 6, the house will be about 2300 sq ft. We will have a propane range, dryer and hot water heater. We'll be putting in a solar hot water heater sometime. Our appliances will be energy star but not the best of the best - fridge, dw, freezer, water pump, normal stuff. Magnum Inverter/Charger MS4024 PAE, Magnum E Panel with 15 amp AC Breaker BTS, 60 amp DC breaker, AGS, Remote LCD display, 12 Surrette S-530 6V batteries, 9 Kyocera 235 W solar panels, Xantrex Solar controller. This is the same system she has set up for herself but it is just the two of them compared to us although she says she has energy to spare. She also has a propane generator. I thought the battery bank seemed a bit small and I can't remember what she said but something along the lines that that's what is recommended now. Any opinions/advice would be appreciated. 

A propane generator that seamlessly ties into the system sounds like a good idea. Ideally you would be able to capture the heat coming off of it.

An off grid solar system is a substantial investment; not just of money, but your family's comfort, safety and security.

Can i know as to how much this Off grid solar system can really cost..... ?

Sherri: It's hard to say without doing a detailed analysis of the system but that is a normal sized bank, if a little on the small side. It's always good to start off with less than you need with the banks and scale up as necessary.

Just don't draw more from the batteries - more discharge shortens the life.

Thanks for looking at this for me, I guess it looks good. I might talk to the solar installer about the pump for the well, I've seen some systems with dedicated solar panels.
She gave us a quote of just under $17 000, for this system not including labour or the generator. I think she said the generator is a little under $3 000. I'm not sure about labour but I think she said it would take about a day.
She has her solar array set up on a shed roof which houses the battery bank and the generator sits under the overhang of the roof. It seems like a good idea but I don't think I've ever seen it like that before. I don't know if she plans on protecting the generator somehow in the winter but I'll find out.

I lived off-grid for 10 years. A few thoughts/observations. Get a kill -a-watt meter and use it on various appliances to see what they are actually drawing during use. Use outlet strips to completely turn off items. Think about chores such as laundry and cleaning to coincide with full/top-offed batteries. Keep a GOOD eye on your batteries and be compulsive about maintenance. I seldom ran into limitations with a smaller system ... but smaller house and fewer people. Good luck and enjoy.

sherri your battery to panel ratio looks pretty good to me. From what I've seen a 1 watt to 1 amp hour storage rating makes for happy solar owners. So you have 2k of solar and (at 12 volts) 2400 amp hours. Nice match.

With the size of your family I would personally do two things. One. Solar hot water has a terrific pay back. You guys wash dishes and clothes and bodies. Solar hot water will save you a tonne of money/propane.

Two. I would get the best fridge/freezer I could find. Sears has some pretty good new fridge/freezers that are really energy efficient. That's money that you'll save on your solar system.

Good luck with your new system.

Posted By jpoke on 28 Oct 2011 02:48 PM
This is totally awesome. It is really amazing that people have lived off grid for 10 years! Wow thats a long time...

I have several questions as i am considering such a system myself... First one is..

Did you have the need to replace any of the actual solar panels? And do they expire and how long is their lifespan on average..

Second one is on batteries.. And finally, did you eventually get to save money on electricity?

2 of the 10 panels had to be replaced but were done at company expense as they were felt to be defective. I really don't know average useful life but it is long, and about the only maintenance is cleaning/washing them once a year. I don't know about payback ... we did it for independence and self-sufficiency, not for economics.

I'm glad I moved to a cabin. Solar panels are saving us a fortune!