He Solar Powered His House HIMSELF - Full System Tour

[@footprinthero]

☀ SOLAR CALCULATOR - estimate savings for your home, get free online quotes (affiliate link) www.solarreviews.com/solar-estimator?aff=162985&cam=741 🏠 WANT ME TO TOUR YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM? Fill out this form ➔ forms.gle/HzQ5TUewXB3su3Xs5

[@Spolenski]

VIA Energy Solutions is great for solar too

[@DougKalmer]

Great job Alex! I appreciate you visiting and shooting a video of some of my solar projects. Your editing abilities are far beyond mine. The world needs more people like you spreading the word about clean energy. Keep up the good work!

[@footprinthero]

Thanks Doug, it was a blast getting to meet you and tour your system. I learned a lot!

[@isiahfriedlander5559]

What you did there was quite visionary, I also can't wait to install a system in my farm in Brazil

[@arnoldreiter435]

10Kw a day! that is 1/3 of the average home. He has adopted a lifestyle and embraced technology long before most even started thinking about it. I live in Montana and three years ago started my energy independence journey. The cold and shorter winter solar hours have been the biggest challenge so far. In 2018 i paid 1600$ for electricity, 2020 i had reduced it to 1400$ with changes to my usage. In 2022 after installing small solar systems in my garage and home i paid 650$ and this year after spending a lot of money on 21Kwh of battery storage and about 5.5Kw of panels my electric bill is averaging 35.00 and 20.00 of that is the mandatory connect fee.

[@footprinthero]

Wow that's incredible progress in 3 years, great job!

[@AverageJoe2023]

That’s great. I also live in Montana and just now starting to learn about solar energy

[@dlfrestoration]

In summer my panels produce 90kwh a day and in winter 60 a day. The idea was for there to be 0 limits but still need more battery's for when it's dark out.

[@Rhyd]

Americans have such cheap electricity. I use on average 7 kwh a day for my 3-bedroom property and pay £1400 ($1840) for energy per year .

[@chocalatekid8024]

I live in MT also and looking to get some solar going...do you have any recommendations for inexpensive panels in our climate?

[@racingtogreen2023]

We're doing something similarly, with three separate off grid systems, in addition to our relatively small 5.4kW grid tie system. We have a 3.6kW system charging our EV and running a mini-Split in the Garage, a 1.2kW system powering a mini-Split for an 8x14 art studio shed, a 900 watt tool shed system that charges our Ryobi garden tools, and feeds into a UPS in my home office covering the 300 watts my home office uses. The mini-Split and insulation in the garage in central Texas has proven to be efficient enough that we can open the door to the house and cut the house AC kW use in half.

[@footprinthero]

That's great. If I'm ever out in central Texas I'd love to tour your system

[@jessicaalvarez273]

Doug seems amazing! Would love to hear more stories like this

[@footprinthero]

Will do!

[@matthewknight5641]

Thats amazing. I have a holiday rambler and a 12x14 metal building workshop that each have their own solar power system. 45 kw of lithium and 5 separate solar arrays but this guys definitely got it figured out for sure

[@pr5991]

In Australia, power companies exploit solar homes, they just pay 5 cents per kWh we export and they charge 45 cents per kWh if we import and we also pay 1 dollar per day as supply line charge. So big rip off by these Australian companies. Australian are thinking to go just off grid.

[@johnzach2057]

Hopefully people start to use batteries and store the energy they produce instead of essentially gifting it to the utilities. Right now batteries have fallen like 50% vs last year.

[@droomagon]

aussy should just go off grid, better for the home owners

[@MrMrFlyPuppy]

Nice Alex. Good job. We have a battery/grid-tied system in MD. Appreciate you spreading the word about solar's benefits!

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Well done that man! What a wonderful story!

[@lavectech]

What a great setup he has, great work.

[@2284esther]

May I suggest that Doug use solar assistant for his parallel split phase growatt inverter system. No internet needed to monitor and you have all historical data stored on the raspberry pie connected to a separate touchscreen for accessing the info and settings. Keep up the good work.

[@DougKalmer]

I recently had a friend help me set up wifi from the hybrid inverter, now I can monitor the system from anywhere.

[@killer5846]

Where I live in the desert Southwest they have curtailed The grid system financial incentives. What used to be a terrific deal with solar, is now more cumbersome and hard to deal with and basically not worth it anymore. So when I decided to investigate other options with solar, I came across solar powered heat pumps for our house. These use mini split and heat pumps with a solar panel package. I got them from signature solar online and could not be happier. Because they do not tie into the grid there isn't all the BS have to put up with getting the system set up. I bought two and installed the systems myself. Fully admit I was very skeptical at first but we wanted to replace our swamp cooler,also known as evaporative cooling because they are a pain in the butt with maintenance and since we have monsoon seasons they're not all that effective in the summertime when the humidity rises. After installing the two solar ACs I could not believe the results. When the sun comes over the horizon in the summertime by around 8:00 in the morning they are fully using solar and no grid power. They continue using solar exclusively until around 7:00 p.m. in the afternoon when they start tapering off and pulling in grid power until the solar stops at around 8:00 p.m.. They are amazing, they have built-in electronics in the AC unit that determines where the power comes from with priority on solar so there is nothing that you have to do at all. It's all fully automatic and you plug the solar panels directly into the unit itself. In the end the installation was fairly straightforward and simple. I could not recommend these units more even if you have a full solar system these would certainly compliment that. They come with an app and the lines are all pre-charged so you don't have to do anything but plug and play. Also since their heat pumps they will heat as well as cool and I can't wait to see how they do in the winter. We have been enjoying these now for around a month and I could not be happier with the results. I just threw this out there to let everybody know that if you don't have the same options has this incredible gentleman or it's not financially worth it, you don't have to completely walk away from solar, you can still reap some of the benefits while not having to deal with a predatory power company.

[@einyv]

I'm in AZ I think I need to look into that in the future

[@killer5846]

@einyv I'm happy to report after 4 months these units are still performing perfectly. Also now that it's getting cold where I live I have had the chance to use the heating part of the heat pump system and it works just as brilliantly as the cooling. you should look in to getting them and sooner than later because I think by the end of the year the price may rise because of new sections the government put on solar panels! Good luck!

[@chada472]

I did my own in 2016 and it paid for itself in 2 years. My system can make 130 kw a day. My credit is credited to my bill to pay for monthly min.

[@tannercust7976]

What's your battery setup? 🎉

[@chada472]

No batteries needed.

[@marcussalinas6335]

It’d be great to see what Doug thinks about modern systems. The larger panels, the all in one inverters that allow Grid tied and off grid and 240V split phase and of course the prices for everything.

[@andrewyang1446]

Thanks for this video!

[@footprinthero]

You're welcome :)

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

Im looking at an off grid like the hybrid system. It seems like the power companies just try to scam or underpay the small producers. Then again, my reason for going solar is energy independence.

[@JL-st1jf]

Super nice setup!!! I wish I could have there here. Unfortunately, in California under the new NEM 3.0 rules, solar is not worth it unless you have batteries installed as well.

[@PeterLawton]

For a state that prides itself on leading the country in progress, it's surprising how many extra obstacles to progress California has, compared to other states.

[@SusanShann-pf6hh]

This is so cool - Thank you! It's great to re-visit this amazing homestead. Doug is incredibly knowledgeable about this stuff. I did two shows with Doug and Claudia some years back about their passive, thermal and PV solar systems (prior to their battery storage system), the geothermal design of the home built into the hillside as well as thermal mass for passive heating and cooling of the interior and other design features for resilience and efficiency, the greenhouse and more that you might find interesting: Part 1 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX7LgKB_j9Bqjq8si=4uKzwlGWzqVOvxLP Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2WqfaWuacSWodUsi=f3LieCQInKHjX7HZ

[@gncl7599]

Just one detail, a hybrid inverter can for sure feed into the grid. Its the off-grid inverters than do not feed to the grid.

[@DougKalmer]

Mine cannot, but some others can.

[@Marc-h3q]

What kind of setup would i need to run a washer, dryer and standard fridge and stove. Trying to take some pain out my high bills in Canada.

[@heroesandzeros7802]

Most states, including Illinois, there is a lot of red tape to cut through to sell power to the utility. And the utility company only pays wholesale prices. They pretty much steal your power. It really is not worth the huge investment. Reducing your power bill by removing appliances from the grid is all you can do. It is worth a much smaller investment to install smaller arrays with cheaper inverters and charge controllers that supplies power for individual loads. You can install several cheaper solar setups, one at a time, until you have all your appliances removed from the grid. You do not incur huge payments and interest for the next 20 years. Adding the solar powered mini-split was very helpful in reducing the AC and heating costs year round. Another way to decrease your utility bills is to decrease your water bill. If you use any water at all outside for washing cars, watering lawns, watering gardens, or pressure washing; then consider collecting rain water and using that outside. My wife uses it to fill her pool and clean her pool pump filter. Keep an eye on it and don't use it at all if goes bad. Do not drink or cook with it.

[@arriagada1957]

Removing appliances from the grid....that is exactly the way to go

[@markarca6360]

​@@arriagada1957Partially off-grid

[@heroesandzeros7802]

Power companies also charge you for delivery and other fees. You may be delivering more than that to the grid, so you still get a small check.

[@DougKalmer]

I have a $22 monthly connection fee.

[@user-lp5wb2rb3v]

its best to just cryptomine with the excess lol

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

Today this would cost how much if professionally installed? $80,000? $100,000?

[@michaelmello9510]

Nice work

[@footprinthero]

Thank you :) Had a lot of fun with this one

[@DF-by7gy]

I am so intrigued; I hope I could understand a word.

[@FloridaPreppers-mh7vl]

people do this do not go with a solar panel company they are horrible

[@DougKalmer]

There are some scammers out there, but there are also honest installers. You just have to do your research first.

[@defaultHandle1110]

Wow, I was thinking of getting 20 470w panels. I’ll be at a loss, but I want it for a pool heater. Not to make money off of. I suppose then I’ll have less electricity bill sometimes.

[@DougKalmer]

Go with solar thermal for pool heating.

[@d2chill471]

can you do a DIY set up using microinverters instead of string inverters?

[@spectator5144]

why poly cells?

[@DougKalmer]

Cheaper than mono.

[@caterthun4853]

The average American .he says uses 30kw per day..please explain what the electricity is used for..here in UK average 8 to 12 KW for average home...don't understand why

[@shawnduffy279]

You all use heat pumps and triple pane windows. Those things are "luxury or custom" options in the US and are very expensive. Next is our building techniques here are just abismal. So we typically live in leaky homes and use terrible appliances all of which uses and wastes a lot of electricity. #Murica

[@onecrazywheel]

I was going to say the same thing. I live in a 1958 house with zero insulation in the attic and single pane windows and we use typically 30-45 KW a day here in Central Florida. Our biggest load is Air Conditioning. We have a lot of heat here in Florida. If we lived in a climate where we didn't have to run so much air conditioning it would be great 😃. We just recently installed an EG4 Mini Split with 3150 watts of solar. It has been a game changer. During the day we can run our entire house of the 24K BTU mini split. It has been a great upgrade. We currently have a 2500 watt system grid tied but it has been failing slowly. It used to produce 12-14 KW for the day but now it is a maximum of 6-7 KW. They are 230 watt Astroenergy panels we had installed back in 2009. I will be checking them individually and see if there are failed panels and take them out of the system and or change them out. Eventually I would like to get another grid tie system with new 450 watt panels (10) and a Growatt 7.6 KW grid tie inverter. That would be awesome. Keep the current system and add another. We also have a 500 watt off grid setup on our solar shed with 400ah of batteries and a 3000 watt inverter. We use that for outdoor cooking with our air fryer and skillet and charging electric bikes and scooters and eventually a 30 gallon 120 volt water heater we will be using for an outdoor shower 🚿. Take care and God bless 🙏

[@inigoacha1166]

What about the bateries in the 10.500 ? Wth

[@DougKalmer]

I was keeping track of SOC on paper then, but now a friend helped me set up wifi monitoring.

[@Ferdinand-yx5wh]

Is there any way to contact you directly

[@DougKalmer]

Alex or me?

[@Ferdinand-yx5wh]

@@DougKalmer Alex

[@stephendodson8302]

If that bill shown in the video is the average amount he gets paid by the power company, $40 per month, and his system cost appx. $11K, how did it pay for itself in just 7.5 yrs?

[@McL0VINNN]

We don't do math here, sir. Just believe it.

[@RUreddynow]

You have to take into account the amount of the power bill THAT he was NOT having to pay or he would have had to pay if he didn't have solar, RIGHT? Sooooo....

[@stephendodson8302]

@@RUreddynow You know what, you're exactly right! Ugh... that went right by me when I posted this. Thank you! That would definitely help to take care of it!

[@normyanke2515]

Publicly available data shows solar in Tennessee will earn about 1300kWh/kw installed, therefore your 4.3kW about 5500kWh/yr. Avg. elec. cost 12.25c/kWh, so value about $685/yr. Typical installs $2-$3/watt so $10-$12,000. Solar life expectancy 25 years. 25 year mortgage about $900/yr. to make $6-700? Inverters will need replacing in 10-12 years, underperforming solar panels....its not something for everyone to rush into, other than rebates which vary from place to place. Rebates....just other peoples money.

[@DougKalmer]

After TVA's, Green Power Switch program paid me the $10.5K I spent, I still had 2.5 years left on the first 10 years of my contract, which paid me about $3.2K, and 10 more years at net. I am thousands ahead, and it paid for my hybrid system with backup as well. The Green Power Switch program was voluntary, customers added $2 a month to their bill to support solar.

[@shawnduffy279]

Curious as to how much power you are producing currently @normy? How much of your tax dollars go to an aging power grid and then have your total cost of using that power go up? Numbers are great but people who tend to only look at those numbers fail to look at ALL the numbers that are actually involved. Also, if your going to use rebates as a guilt trip because it's "other people's money". Guess what? One of those "other people" is Doug. That's HIS tax money too. LOL I will lastly add, you can save hundreds of dollars buying used solar panels. They may not produce 100% of their rated output but, I'll take 80% free energy any day at a reduced cost of ownership. Kind of like buying a used car. If you are dissatisfied with rebates or incentives, @normy, start by looking at the actual problem and not how said problem is being addressed. IE Government regulation of home building standards and removal of the types of appliances that are detrimental to the grid or lack the same efficiency regardless of initial cost investment (if we are forced to move to electric heat pumps for more things, the overall cost will go down. Just like cars did, tvs, computers etc. Simple supply and demand). There's some really simple "cost" math numbers you can think about. 🖖 Cheers

[@shawnduffy279]

​I wasn't replying to you. I was replying to the person you replied to. ​@@DougKalmer Hence using @normy to refer to them specifically. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I like what you did and found the video helpful.

[@farfanium]

His monthly bills would be like -$200 or so, he has plants and surely animals so theirs expenses are ate the minimum and maximum return

[@normyanke2515]

this sounds like solar sales pitch. His 4.6kW of solar in 2011 typically would cost up to $3/watt installed or $$12,000. In most of northern climates this might earn 5000kWh of annual power. Solar panel life expectancy 25 years. A 25 year mortgage would be about $1000/yr payments. If local power is 10c/kWh, solar saves $500. He claims payback in 7 years? You can adjust above for your situation, this is a solar sales pitch. $1000 to save $500?

[@DougKalmer]

It's not a sales pitch since I'm not selling anything. I am giving away information about the many ways to use solar energy to reduce bills and fossil fuel usage. I am only trying to show my situation, and how well solar has worked out for me. I was quoted over $20K in 2011 for 4.6KW installed. I installed it for half of that, and it has been paying me ever since, and will continue to do so for at least another 13 years. It has been worth far more than you claim. It's all good.

[@hangingoutenjoyinglifewith2268]

🔥🔥🔥

[@rpsmith]

" Now the Power Company Pays HIM" No. His neighbors pay him because the power company loses money on every check they send him!

[@DougKalmer]

TVA had a program so customers could add $2 a month to their bill to support solar. The funding is entirely voluntary.

[@rpsmith]

@@DougKalmer -- If it's a 100% funded by voluntary donations, that's awesome!

[@danielcarroll3358]

The power company pays him wholesale and charges his neighbors retail. That's how the power company makes money. They aren't losing money because of him.

[@DougKalmer]

@@danielcarroll3358 No, I'm on net which means the utility pays me the same rate as they charge residential customers. It is funded by a voluntary program to support solar.

[@yeayea-tz2kq]

This video is so unstimulating ughhhhhhhh

[@thelonewolf666]

must use ZERO power to get no bill--- i smell bullshit

[@DougKalmer]

No, my grid tied array produces much more than I use, and my utility pays me the same rate they charge, so no bill! Didn't you see my "bill" in the video? They pay me, and have done so for 13 years.