Building a SOLAR ARRAY for our Off-Grid Homestead | 4800 watts of Sun Power ☀️

It is FINALLY time to begin work on our solar installation for our fully off-grid Tennessee homestead. We have 4800 watts of panels and this week we are building a low cost DIY structure to mount them. Follow along as we build out the entire system that will power everything we do here!
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#solar #offgrid #homestead

[@robertcampion4832]

You two are Awesome, I enjoy watching you both. God Bless You Both

[@charliegivilancz6412]

When I put fence posts in I coat the part that goes into the cement with a synthetic rubber. This way it doesn't allow for the wood to suck up the moisture from the cement. When I build a deck I use a steel bracket in the cement so that wood never touches the ground or the cement. A big array I would use steel brackets since I don't want it ever to fail in the wind from rotting in the cement.

[@NovaBill6264]

Awesome video give your puppys and kitty cat big hugs from us both God Bless you and your family

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks guys! I know for a fact they will take the extra lovin' haha :) See you next week.

[@carpman_here8133]

What an accomplishment! Homesteading is hard enough but then add the responsibility of a new family member and the fact that you get anything done is a miracle. Lol. Love ya and stay safe.

[@RunawayMattCass]

It has been alot of planned time when the puppy goes down for a nap haha :) I keep telling Matt he won't be this size forever so time to enjoy it lol. Love ya bud!

[@adriannicholson8819]

Its 2 am in the morning here and I'm knocking the sweet tea back becus it's HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT here

[@RunawayMattCass]

With the weather we have had recently I would take a HOT day haha

[@jacklabloom635]

I am enjoying your channel. Matt, you are always excited and smiling. I think it would help if Cass could consider smiling occasionally. I can never tell when she is excited or happy things are going well. Obviously, I’m kidding. Y’all are both great. I like your outlook on life and your plans. Wishing you both the best.

[@jhay1496]

You two are just so cute and mostly always positive. Cass your energy is offset by Matt's calmness

[@RunawayMattCass]

haha 😂 Ying and Yang right ?! You have to keep it light and fun and just enjoy the process of it all.

[@theodorearmes8129]

Tip for wet gloves in the cold, put on a pair of disposable nitrile gloves. It'll prevent your hand from getting wet and help hold heat in

[@fishinghole333]

That wooden crate the solar panels came in would be a great raised garden bed. You could do the burning method on the wood to preserve it. Would make a great video imo. 😊

[@RunawayMattCass]

We thought the same exact thing! haha :) We are going to do that with them or maybe use them for our chicken coop build.

[@GregMoore-ld8tb]

GO BILLS! Awesome video

[@lyndaabrahamson3244]

Great job Matt & Cass. You two are a heck of a good team. All things will be possible. I admire how you two are going about your homestead.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much :) It means so much to have you here on this ride with us!

[@wadeprior5203]

Good morning or good afternoon you guys hope you guys are doing okay out there so keep up the good work and just take care of each other and not God bless both of you❤❤❤

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you

[@kyhilltophome3153]

You need one of those magnetic roller thingies that roll across the ground. Builders use them to pick up dropped screws on building sites.

[@RunawayMattCass]

We will be going to get one soon haha :)

[@hmarc417]

Thank You for the design , Ill be using your method here in a few weeks, I am tired of having my panels in the shed. I have 48 panels to deal with. Thanks Again.

[@giraffaVT]

Always keep a manget handy for finding bits in the ground. Or one of those construction 'sweepers' that pick up all metal pieces as you drive across the ground with it. Please stay safe and warm in this chilly weather.

[@RunawayMattCass]

That is a great idea thank you ! Stay warm friend!

[@Mewsielynx]

Greetings yous...good to see you doing so great...hugz from The Yukon Territory ..

[@Mewsielynx]

Psst...maybe..just a thought is to build lil tiny shelter to keep brooms or whatever you need in order to clean panels in winter..😊

[@RunawayMattCass]

That is an awesome idea :) Thank you for watching!

[@loumiller2551]

Love your videos, please keep them family safe

[@RunawayMattCass]

We are safe and warm and I can't thank matt enough for it.

[@terrymedina7893]

Congratulations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽great team work 👍🏽

[@mikerogers9711]

You Kids are doing a Great job. Great content.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much for being here and supporting us Mike! It means alot. See you on the next one:)

[@Mewsielynx]

Yay !!! Congrats.. 😊

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you :)

[@WanderingWilfords]

Way to go! Looks great can’t wait for the hookup.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much :) We can't wait either. This cold front is putting us a little behind schedule lol

[@melanieeaton3344]

The solar setup looks so good!!! Blessings from the Oregon coast.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Hey friend :) Thanks for being here with us! More than excited to get this system up and running!

[@mobiltec]

You can just use a wand magnet or a rolling magnet to find metal bits and pick up loose nails and screws with. The rolling one is best. Saves you from flat tires too.

[@RunawayMattCass]

We will definitely want to get one of those! Have a good week friend

[@jamesblair4454]

I hope you guys have plans on taking down the trees that are close to your panels. I have seen on other channels where people have had problems with limbs, coming down and breaking their panels. Food for thought.

[@RunawayMattCass]

We will keep and eye on the limbs and take down whatever we feel is necessary just incase. The reality is we have some big trees and lots of them so we do what we can to keep our stuff as safe as possible.

[@EchoesofthePast-XII]

in hindsite, i would probably have changed 2 things on your build there.. instead of screws in the top and bottom part of the poles, i would make a hole and put a bolt through instead. since those 2 places hold the entire load of the frame. The second thing i would do (dont know if you did it, but doesnt look like it) is "painting" tar around the poles, before you put them in the ground. That will prolong their lifespan alot... a third thing i would do, is put pointy caps on top of the poles, or cut them with a steep angel isntead of flat tops.. that way rain etc, will slide of and not lay on top and rot the poles... Otherwise, nice build and good job :)

[@NYCamper62]

Looking good so far. Looking forward to what you do for cabling, controller & battery bank.

[@RunawayMattCass]

YES!!! slowly but surely we will get it all set up :)

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Very good 👍🏻

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much :) excited to get it all hooked up and running

[@ECTOERICSARCADE]

Good energy! 👊😜👍

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks :)

[@norrisdabney4298]

Looks great, enjoy your videos

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate it bud! Have a great week :)

[@dixiemae5042]

Weventh from -5 Indiana 👊🏻💪🏻🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@RunawayMattCass]

Stay warm friend!

[@RobertMurray-b1e]

Hope you guys survived the last storm ok and are prepared for this arctic blast coming at us!!! Stay safe, stay warm, stay strong!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

we did! The wind was INSANE! the cold is here but we got the heat running and the puppies curled up too keep warm. Stay safe friend!

[@Cavecreekjojo1011]

Awesome job guys !! Rock on 🌵🌵

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks friend! Cheers!

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

👋👋👋😎🤘 Hello from Murphy NC... Big Snow and BITTER. cold coming monday night into Tuesday and again Saturday... Stay Warm

[@RunawayMattCass]

Same here! We are prepped and we are cooking as much as we can to keep it warm here in the camper haha

[@billiehuskins8129]

Wish I had that solar set-up great job 👍❤❤❤

[@RunawayMattCass]

We are so thankful for it :)

[@kingglizzer]

What, no chainsaw mill? I was looking forward to watching you make the frame from your own forest. Very sturdy. Totally overbuilt. 🤣

[@RunawayMattCass]

No sawmill yet.... but eventually we want one! haha

[@godsteam8903]

Wind gusts are horrible in TN. Might consider a wind break to get the wind from getting under and damaging panels.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate the advise! We actually had 3 days of 45mph winds shortly after installing this, it held in nicely but we are considering was to improve it for high wind situations. See you next week!

[@guykenniker9498]

Nice job

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate it! See you next week :)

[@IntoTheWoodsWithJessicaandCurt]

Congratulations! We are running on 100w of solar panels with a backup generator when needed. With 750w inverter and 105 amp hr worth of battery, it ain't been easy but it sure helps us appreciate everything. Luv y'all, keep up the great work! Off griders unit!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

WOWWWW! That is awesome! You guys definitely get the ups/downs of this life then for sure. Sending only good vibes y'alls way.

[@jim_ward]

Great job !!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thank you so much! See you next week!

[@vickiepaschall8470]

That’s why they call it “Rocky Top”!!! Wish you guys put out more videos in a week!!! I just Love you guys energy!!!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks for being apart of our journey :) We would get nothing done here on the ranch if we put out more than 1 a week haha 😂

[@joshhelms8413]

I just watched your video on the Amish built building.. I maybe wrong but I'm thinking I read about thus a few years ago and the work around for certified lumber was timber frame homes and log homes I may be wrong but it's almost 2a.m. and I should be asleep lol maybe I'll look into that tomorrow.

[@Hillbilly_Hippies]

Absolutely love your homestead and the vibe you 2 give off ❤

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks so much! Our homestead is a work in progress but one step at a time it is getting there. See you on the next one

[@chrismktgpsu]

Great job filming different angles, editing, adding music, etc to the build scenes. Just a suggestion but maybe adding some time lapse scenes is another possible film technique to add into your edits. Good amount of time between different scenes to keep interest. Keep up the good work on the channel! 👍

[@CharleeBrown-el7my]

Good job

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate it! We are ready to get this whole system up and running :)

[@bubbaredneck75]

i been using my ryobi set for 5 years now on my homestead. awesome tools but when u go to get more batteries i would suggest getting minimum of 4 of the BIG batteries. 4 amp i think. the saw,jigsaw,nailer and sawz all use alot of juice.

[@RunawayMattCass]

We have a few extra but just had an old one that was about 5 years old die on us so need to get that replaced asap! We like the Ryobis more or less though.

[@ronneglia2292]

Great build! You guys are such hard workers and are so deserving. Really happy for you!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate the love so much! It is not always easy to do all this here but damn it is rewarding :)

[@AmputeeAdventureChannel]

Looks great!! Congrats. Looking forward to the rest of the project. You're giving great ideas for our upcoming setup. Thank you for filming this!

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks for watching bud! It can be hard to figure out exactly what you wanna do when there is about a million ways to do one thing but we are hoping our design can give someone else like yourself a little help on how we did it! Cheers friend

[@rebeccabaker5658]

Aren't those trees going to be too close come summer? Good job. Love your new puppy.

[@RunawayMattCass]

No they should not be. There is a branch or two we may trim but nothing should overhang the panels and thank you he is a handful but fits right into our little family.

[@jeffer2350]

It looks great! Doing projects like that when weather is not optimum always makes it a tougher process. I hope it is doing well for you as we get the possible snow storm tonight and temperatures approaching zero this week in Tennessee. I enjoyed the show! Best of luck on your next step/project.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Thanks Jeff! Ya freezing cold all week but we are taking precautions as needed. See you on the next video!

[@machinistx-.4286]

You gotta be from the 716. GO BILLS!!

[@RunawayMattCass]

BILLS MAFIA BABY!! haha Matt went to school in Buffalo and Cass is from Rochester we lived together in Buffalo for years before moving south.

[@machinistx-.4286]

@@RunawayMattCass I’m about 3 miles from the stadium born and raised here. You mentioned buffalo pizza in one of the other videos and it caught my attention. It’s true we have some of the best pizza and obviously wings too. Love the content keep up the great work. I’ve got 50 acres here in NY we’ve been turning into our little Homestead.

[@machinistx-.4286]

@@RunawayMattCass BILLS WIN! Go BILLS! 🦬

[@15halerobert]

When I spoke English to my dog, he usually responded to me. But when I spoke to him in German he always instantly responded.

[@RunawayMattCass]

Interesting lol.

[@stanleyhelterbran1304]

Hey guys new to your channel but I like what I see, so I live in Nashville, and got an ideal, about your little home ,what if you went to the junk yard got a axle from the back of a front wheel drive cat take it to a welder and have weld enough metal to it that it's wide enough for your cabin then find a junk mobile home and cut the hitch of of it , then you can tell them it's a wood mobile home, it has wheels and a hitch just like a mobile home .just an ideal. Stupid laws calls for stupid work arounds

[@phillipvines4269]

Looks great guys. Wishing nothing but the best. 😊

[@RunawayMattCass]

Appreciate you Phillip! Happy to have you here

[@caseyoutdoors3897]

You're a very lucky man you got a good helper there. I was just wondering how for those 2×6s are sticking out from your 4×4 post? Do you thinking about 6 months to a year they will start warping? Of course they may not be sticking out as far as they look on the camera. God bless have a great day

[@RunawayMattCass]

We have thought about it but going to keep a good eye and see how it all holds up! If we ever need to reinforce it or fix it we will. That is the best thing about doing it all ourselves if changes need to be made we know exactly what to do!

[@freedom_-vn2dc]

How much did each solar panel cost? Where did you buy them? Where are you housing the batteries and everything else? Thanks so much!!

[@lilbie2329]

Doing great... 6:00 AM on the Iowa/Illinois border... -17 with a-41 wind chill... just saying😂

[@RunawayMattCass]

OMGGG!!! stay warm! the weather is turning here too... secretly hoping we get some snow :) ❄️

[@getlostinit3D]

when designing house always make a vestibule/mudroom. You could throw up a pop up tend and enclose it with tarps and store all your shoes etc out there so you always come in without shoes... but those dang dogs... that's the hardest part of the equation. Robot vacuum cleaner?

[@RunawayMattCass]

I (Cass) have already said that to Matt I want a HUGE mudroom for us and the animals haha We have looked into the robot cleaners, maybe when we get our house built!

[@getlostinit3D]

@@RunawayMattCass you could also build the house with hoses int the wall and have a vacuum cleaner in the utility room.. then you could just sweep all the pet hair to the hose located in each room... old houses used to have these centralize vacuum cleaners... we need to bring them back.

[@patrickdeserisy2634]

How is the diesel heater working out for y’all??

[@RunawayMattCass]

Great! This is our 3rd diesel heater and we are always impressed with them

[@hdjohnk]

And now reap your rewards!!✌️❤️🍺

[@RunawayMattCass]

You better believe we did! haha

[@vonheise]

Hope you are Tennessee Vols fans 'cause it sounds like your place in on "rocky top". Breaking the angle in half works, but I would have tilted a few degrees to the east and west in a shallow wedge. I have watched a lot of folks build solar arrays being retired, however, those of us who can't do much of anything are always the ones with all the "knowledge" and make all the suggestions... 🙃 🙄

[@RunawayMattCass]

hahah :) We pointed our panels just a touch west as well. The reality is nothing is ever perfect and your needs and wants are forever changing. Something we have quickly learned is that thankfully when you do all the work yourself, you can fix it yourself haha 😛 also.... GO VOLS 🔸

[@bubbaredneck75]

are you guys gunna put in any wind turbines? when i lived in east tn it seemed it was always windy at night. future hint....i used a wood frame for my array also. recheck the screws like once a year if its really windy were u are. i had one come loose and my neighbor lost 3 panels in a wind storm.

[@DanP001]

that will also happen to them. i understand well that they want/must save money. but with the frame it's in the wrong place

[@RunawayMattCass]

We haven't thought about that, but it would be pretty cool! We will definitely keep an eye on how they are holding up just to make sure :)

[@KyleWestcott]

What kind of cable did you have to run from the panels to your dwelling and what distance did you have to run it? I'm thinking of putting an array on my farm but I'm torn on setting it up like you did in a clearing or on the roof of one of my barns.

[@cheropagfarmsimplysherry]

Did you have to go through a dealership of some kind to obtain the solar panels? What type of permitting were you required to get if any?

[@RunawayMattCass]

We did not need any permits but go to Shop Solar they are great to work with and have a lot of knowlege.

[@loribrooks949]

Were have the post gone?

[@WestonLambert-k3c]

You know you vuys can also make electricity that doesnt require a fuel sytem using magnets and copper right ?

[@Johnny_Benson]

Cass why did you not tell Matt that its crooked?

[@florencestaheli7459]

Johnny... is it crooked?... how much is it crooked? Is it a little bit crooked or is it much crooked? Please measure... and go there... I will join... and help you to de-crook it...

[@EvilGenius.]

How much did the panels and everything cost to build this? And does the cost count for the cables, batteries, and inverter?

[@RunawayMattCass]

You can go to shop solar and look at all they have to offer. We have partnered with them for this project here!

[@EvilGenius.]

@@RunawayMattCass I was just wanding a ball park price is all. Cause I have a system idea I want to setup. So far your setup looks to be about how I want to do mine!

[@ConstitutionMattersMost]

Clear the trees a tree length away,

[@bonnieplastow7018]

❤

[@RunawayMattCass]

Have a great week!

[@jonwebb5241]

Looks great. Suggest painting support structure at some point to retard rot. 😊

[@RunawayMattCass]

Yes we plan to stain the wood eventually, we wanted to wait until the lumber dried a little more!

[@tammystoddard4690]

Are y'all on unrestricted land?

[@RunawayMattCass]

yes!

[@tammystoddard4690]

@RunawayMattCass ... Then, why aren't you allowed to live in the cabin without it being permanently placed? I'm looking for land to build on in a unrestricted County of E. TN... that's why I'm asking, thanks much and ❤️ your videos!

[@bettyharper2214]

👍♥️

[@RunawayMattCass]

Cheers friend!

[@bubbaredneck75]

murphys law brother....anything that can go wrong...will

[@RunawayMattCass]

We were thinking the same thing or maybe the start of the chicken coop. I love the look of the wood burned method! Thanks for watching

[@fiendeng]

there is no such thing as bad weather only inappropriate clothing. - JR

[@RunawayMattCass]

haha :) I could not fit anymore clothing on my body lol

[@DanP001]

Nice people, interesting projects, quite good camera settings etc. But why do you keep interrupting the work and talking so much???

[@florencestaheli7459]

What do you mean by -so much-? Is it forbidden to talk to the viewers? Let them be themselves... let them live... are you a controller type of person... heh...? Try to cook your own spaghetti man

[@florencestaheli7459]

@@mscali6397 oh wow... thanks for telling me... I never thought about it...

[@DanP001]

@@florencestaheli7459 Stäheli-Chind, worum tuesch du mini Meinig nid reschpektiere? Söttisch nid grad du dini eigete Spaghetti choche?

[@landon2095]

An easy tree removal is the girdle method. Start about chest high and cut a 6 to 8 in strip around the tree. Tree will begin to die over several years. Our forefathers cleared land with this method. It will buy you time for other pressing projects.

[@florencestaheli7459]

@@DanP001 Yöööööö wiä härzig....

[@CareyTarbox]

Were did you get your solar panels at because I would love to get a couple of them if you can send me a link please

[@hubertwebb9869]

Great job Matt & Cass. Cass seems to be very energetic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:1-11 King James Version 14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

[@williamwoehl3868]

❤

[@RunawayMattCass]

Hi friend! hope all is well :)

[@williamwoehl3868]

@RunawayMattCass things are going...happy new year to you both