Huge Grid-Tied Solar PV with Battery Back-up System

Ben lives way up in Northern Vermont. This area is known for cold, snow, and clouds. Despite his location, Ben has made a net-zero (electric) house, with an off-grid battery back-up system.
The original 1950's house had never been updated when he purchased it. The house had little to no insulation and an oil furnace. Practically doing a 180 on the house, Ben tackled the problems hands-on.
First, Ben updated the insulation in the basement and attic, blowing two feet of cellulose in the attic. Next Ben added a huge grid-tied solar system to off-set his electric bills. This system worked so well that it off-set all of his electric usage, and more! Since he was generating surplus power Ben replaced his fossil fuel systems with electric heat pumps. This made his house net-zero for plug loads, and for climate control. That's amazing!
That year Ben and his family had a wake-up call. There was a 2-3 day power outage and his house was in the dark. The grid-tied solar system had no back-up. He was out of power just like his neighbors.
The new mission for Ben was to build a battery back-up system capable of keeping day-to-day life un-interrupted. He succeeded in doing this while keeping to a tight budget.
The new battery system is comprised of a used car battery from a Smart Fortwo EV. 2.65kw of solar PV, and a PIP inverter/charger. Ben installed the 2.65kw PV on his north-facing roof because he had ran out of space on the south. Amazingly, this is still working great keeping the batteries full. This truly demonstrates how fantastic the solar PV technology is.
Thank you Ben for opening up your home to all of us. I learned a great deal, and I know others will benefit as well.
Ben works for Building Energy in Vermont.
www.buildingenergyvt.com
Thanks for watching. If you would like to help support the channel please check out Patreon, or use an affiliate link. Thank you.
/ davidpoz
We can chat and share project pictures on facebook: / davidpozenergy
Heating mat: amzn.to/2VhR9za
Transformer: amzn.to/2DQ49RN
High Voltage DC Solar Breaker: amzn.to/2VfxSON
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
MPP PIP Inverter/Charger: www.mppsolar.com/v3/pip-hsms-...

[@caddyzig]

Nice setup! Thanks for sharing.

[@pablobon5957]

I really appreciate how friendly you guys look

[@BTom16]

Pretty sweet system. Thanks for the tour.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

What an awesome home he's built there in Vermont! I wish that I had that kind of knowledge and work experience, so that I wouldn't have to pay others to do these kinds of amazing installations.

[@BenMitro]

Excellent job Ben - thanks David for doing this!

[@gvmiketodd]

David, thanks for providing a look at another way to do things. Reminds us to keep an open mind.

[@smntsn]

He smiles and he explains his toys like a happy adventure. Wow! Ben = solar installation. That's it! Thanks for the video.

[@CharlesLukoba]

I have watched this more than 5 times, it's inspiring. It's giving me ideas.

[@dogh2o921]

Wow, dude has the best system I've seen so far.

[@neilmayo6868]

Thanks for showing us.

[@bobbailey4954]

This guy from Vermont has it going I'm doing all off grid and love the freedom from the grid.

[@MichaelNatrin]

Really cool setup. Thanks for sharing :)

[@Dionydejesus]

I can't get enough of his smile and happiness, that guy is not wasting money living off-grid. kudos tu you sir!

[@alphaforce6998]

That's insanity, sir. And he's actually living on the grid, because without a hook-up he wouldn't be able to "sell" back to the utility co, thus placing himself into bankruptcy.

[@yairval9]

@@alphaforce6998 You know he said he gets paid because its grid tied? did you not watch the video

[@iwantosavemoney]

Am really digging solar again I really got turned off a wail back but with me looking at getting off grid to be self sufficient and self reliant. This is super cool thanks for sharing

[@georgepelton5645]

Great setup Ben. Thanks for sharing on David’s channel. Now all you need is an electric car!

[@coolvideos8864]

Ben is a lovely guy, he has a great setup.

[@GeraldPUR]

Looks complex but is awsome! His smile says it all!

[@jamesg1204]

Great setup, thanks!

[@rogermace4516]

Nice work Ben

[@southernohiosolarhomestead8477]

Nice big system plenty of power from the sounds of it , nice video sir

[@benssolarandbattery]

Thanks for coming to see the madness, and awesome job editing!!

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Thanks for sharing your awesome setup for all of us. Thank you for the comment on editing. I'm trying to get better at it.

[@englebig]

Really nice setup, thank you! I was wondering: when the grid goes down, does the MPP inverter's mains power output provide a signal for the solaredge inverter to synchronise with and provide power too? And then, if the solaredge is providing mains power, can that power be used by the MPP to charge "from the grid"? It'd be great if it were that flexible... And also, if you have a real grid failure somewhere up the line, won't your system attempt to keep powering the complete neighbourhood until you trip the breaker?

[@benssolarandbattery]

The MPP does not support AC coupling with grid tie inverters, nor does it backfeed the grid. All power produced is used on site. The solaredge is (for now) useless to me when the grid is down.

[@leviclark2573]

@@benssolarandbattery what are your thoughts on an AC coupled battery backup system?

[@benssolarandbattery]

@@leviclark2573 they're a little less efficient than DC coupled systems, but a great way to add a battery to an existing system. When using lead acid, there are lots of sizing requirements for AC coupling that are based on the battery charging needs. It becomes a lot easier with lithium, as they can take almost anything you send their way.

[@saltlakrids]

Great vid guys. Really inspiring. Love your energy

[@DavidS-dj7sn]

You surely are one gifted guy

[@Okimyhome]

Great video 👍😀 thank you for sharing s😎

[@guiltfreehotwater7290]

Fantastic! Thanks for all the Information! Hopefully i will see some SHW?

[@mashamambea5704]

Love the set up neat

[@garyabc]

Got rid of the furnace! Very Impressive. Great video.

[@larryteslaspacexboringlawr739]

thank you for awesome solar video

[@TrackGeeks]

Awesome. Ben is my kind of guy! :D

[@skoto.power.systems]

Nice and thanks a million

[@DarrenCharron]

Awesome video thank you for sharing!

[@alexkandukambere1213]

Thanks, this is inspiring.

[@BuntaBall40]

Great video mate

[@richardking9352]

Awesome guys thanks for the great info....

[@AdrianHiggins83]

Thanks 🙏

[@hurtfulcomment511]

Props for the metric conversion!

[@chazbarclay]

Thanks Ben.

[@hamieh1]

thanks for posting .

[@KashifKhan-1760]

Good work

[@lindafoxwood78]

Great interview! 1999 I moved into this house and did a self install solar system with 1200 watts of solar and 4 L16 batteries for a 24v system. The inverter is grid tied. 2020 upgraded to LiFePO4 16K watts, 3800w more solar panels. This was mostly a self skill test for me! It has turned out to be great idea. Thank you for your video.

[@tomstdenis]

Kudos Ben neato setup!

[@mrjonas9657]

Awesome video

[@leighamos489]

Great to see other People doing this stuff. Now I don't fell like I've lost it:) Very much, I have to switch from 24V to 48V Some how

[@Ruben.g]

Very cool!

[@davidbennett2672]

great to watch

[@ganesankpillay3768]

Cheers and thanks

[@godvsevolutionmythgodvsevo1038]

Very nice

[@PentaxLife]

Very nice I know the feeling of running out of room on the roof I could only get 2.8kw on my 5th wheel home .

[@pjvdsandt3293]

Thanks Ben you learning me a lots And yes now that I'm witching against true your videos I'm picked up lessons of you Friend You go big your installation is nice so yes I'm follow you Ben I'm form South Africa Country Free State Go on you my mentor in it thanks

[@MagivaIT]

awesome, what a great video of like-minded souls

[@QuantumBraced]

This guy is a DIY king.

[@rickw4160]

Checkout the MPP LV2424 and the LV5048.. they can output 120v but can also output split phase 240, and also has grid tie! It can be programmed to take grid power when available, so your batteries are on standby.

[@nigelchoy8768]

That's awesome

[@williamb8415]

Nice I am headed back to the US (Massachusetts / New Hampshire) from the Philippines and want to do a similar system when I get back. My sister has a full array on her house in Mass and it provides her with a check from the electric utility every month, it is nice to have a zero due electric bill every month.

[@JOHNMORIN100]

What a great thing to be energy sufficiant with no brownouts or blackouts here in central Milo, Maine (The Magoo's) no electric bill for over 20 years now.

[@guiltfreehotwater4354]

i dont think hes got batteries?

[@MrPraveenGeorge]

Those PIP solar inverters seems to be the same one sold as FlinEnergy in India. I have been looking at having one of those at home as off-grid system, mainly to power air-conditioning during day time. Great to see some real-world experience with it.

[@ttfweb1]

You guys look like you could be brothers. Nice video.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

I'm glad you liked the video. Nope, we are not brothers.

[@franshanoshike5947]

This is a great job indeed. I wish you were in Namibia to do this for me.

[@lasersbee]

Nice walk around and good info on a working system from a guy that installs energy systems. 10:14.. They say that the shoe maker has the worst shoes....

[@gidderman]

Thats the guy you want doing your installation right there, does it in his spare time, eats-sleeps-and breaths solar installation :)

[@adventurious1234]

Nice....Very nice

[@zekeboz5533]

Great video. Like the PIP and transformer setup... seems like a cost effective option.

[@aatt3209]

Yup, solar panel + backup energy storage is the way to go

[@PetRatty]

you missed a bit. + sell excess back to the grid. Glad you said energy storage as it doesn't have to be a battery

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

In Vermont

[@stefflmrk]

Battery from a SMART car 😂😂😂😂 love it! Not to forget his voice, VERY easy to listen to!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Nice setup!

[@avitarmagnus9090]

excellent

[@GrowingUpGoudie]

That was pretty sweet! Tell Ben to go to a heat pump dryer.

[@earthenergyhex]

this is my dream system

[@climatechangepreppersfaceb2148]

More like this please

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Sure, I'd love to make for of these. Do you know anyone else who is willing to be interviewed and lives in north-east US? Thanks.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy D-P, Thanks COOP ...

[@ShowemRight]

Thats whats up, it must be a beautiful thing to heat, and cool your home during the year from the power of the sun, God bess you man.

[@johnnygonzales3211]

Yes these guys are related haha your a genius my friend😜

[@KK-fh1ds]

These guys are cool

[@jamest.5001]

Are you sure that's not your brother? I'd get a DNA test if I was you!

[@yardietraxx]

I was watching on my TV and I took out my phone to make this exact comment.

[@mazda2284]

i went to comment the same thing and bam , someone already said it lol

[@100realtorah3]

My question is in the winter months when we have that freezing rain how do we keep them panels on freezing over.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Question on freezing rain: I don't do anything. Yes, a layer of ice will form over the panels. But, the sun will come out in one or two days. When it does, the panels heat up and the ice slides off.

[@mazda2284]

@@DavidPozEnergy good to know . I'm doing a setup in Wisconsin

[@davelamont]

Really nice setup 👌

[@JozefMarhut]

Nice..

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

heya that is a nice calboration with a real pv and hot water installer

[@ursodermatt8809]

north facing roofs: in overcast panels deliver the same like south facing panels, if the inclination is the same. and ok, in overcast you need most panels, solar energy. in summer they generate the same amount in sunny weather, however in winter that drastically reduces.

[@ddd228]

So the snow slides off, use Rain-X. Works great!

[@christianmeza4529]

Nice rails

[@l3eaver]

Holy shit !!! Your long lost brother !!!!

[@wlee618]

this is amazing! wish you can be onsite and help me convert to use solar power!

[@frankz1125]

Looking good.

[@frankz1125]

48 is not the way to go. HV systems are the way to go. I run a 120vdc to 120v ac

[@DavidPozEnergy]

It would be great to run higher voltage. I think the electrical code prohibits that for residential. Do you know a legal way around that? Thanks.

[@frankz1125]

@@DavidPozEnergy ya. Just do it and dont say nothing. Off grid doesnt get checked in my area only grid tied systems.

[@craighinkel8821]

@@frankz1125 The wire you use solid or stranded.? DC to an AC motor?

[@tommcinerney8721]

love it just had another 3 days of fun in Maine with no power. FRUSTRATING to see sun shining on our solar but no battery back up means it is all for naught. Looking into battery back up myself

[@DavidPozEnergy]

It's a big fun topic to get into (battery storage). Sorry you don't have power up there. Connect with me on FB if you want to talk more. facebook.com/DavidPozEnergy/

[@energydreamer5347]

Found this one but looking for more info on the “How To” with adding the battery bank and inverter system to my current grid-tie and net metering system.

[@atangradi100]

Great video, our informative thank you so much. I do have a question, how much materials was everything?

[@ianthompson44]

So, Northern Vermont is around 44 degrees north, but the roof is pretty flat. Christmas day at noon the angle of incidence would probably be too great to get any sun on those northern panels, but I bet you get wind in the winter up there! 500 watt wind turbine and you would be barely drawing down on the battery.

[@keya31gville]

I'd like to order a Ben please!! Yes any shade or flavor. !!

[@chadnye8737]

Keep it green man!!!!

[@donaldwalter8300]

Great Job. I have a 12.5 kW Solar system with a SolarEdge Inverter in Wisconsin. I found your video because I want to add battery back up to mine as well. When does it switch to the critical load panel that I'm assuming only powers certain things. How is that different from when you simulated a power failure in the video? What is the Model of the Heat Pump(s) you have? I think you said you had two of them installed? Are they the Ductless style?

[@stephenmabry2866]

Y'all look like long-lost twins. Thx for good review.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Thanks for watching. Nope, not related.

[@polarkerr]

WOuld you draw a nice comprehensible block diagram of all components you have in there including the battery/charge controller hhhh, great stuff

[@user-qc5op9hj3h]

Great

[@6jefes948]

Holy cow! He looks like your brother.

[@lancewf]

Thank you for the video. I loved to see the setup. I was wondering why you chose optimizers over micro-inverters. Do you have to have more than one string inverter with so many panels? I was thinking that the micro-inverters would be a better option because they would allow to more easily add more panels in the future.

[@davidseeman1772]

No, the Solaredge optimizers are just as easy if not easier to add more. Just disconnect the existing line and wire in some more panels to make the loop larger. Then you hit a button on the Solaregde and it discovers the new optimizers and panels. There are limits on the number of panels per string based on the model, but you can just add another string. The Solaredge balances things nicely by managing the optimizer voltage/amperage. I love mine and have helped 4 friends install them.

[@keithfricker]

DNA for sure

[@davidjames1684]

One important thing to point out about solar is this. Know what your charge is per KWh from the utility company. Mine is about 12 cents per KWh for the first 1000 KWhs per billing cycle (usually 30 days). Here in my state, we get about 5 "sun hours" per day, which means that on average, we get the equivalent of about 5 hours of strong "straight up" sun as far as solar electricity generating power. So that is 60 cents per day of electric per KWh of solar panels. I derate that to 40 cents due to system losses and inefficiencies such as not always being able to use the full output from the panels (such as batteries are already topped off, low electrical load, solar charge controller losses, losses in long wire runs, partial shade...). So 40 cents per day is only about $12 per month of electric. If my electric bill was $100, a 1 KW solar system might drop it to $88. To completely get rid of my electric bill (not really possible), I would likely need an 8 KW solar system. Since I cannot fully get rid of it (since I have to keep grid power and pay the monthly service fee), my "best" solution is to just use solar to lower my electric bill, but not eliminate it. A small 1 KW system (3 to 6 panels depending on wattage per panel), is fun to tinker with, but doesn't save much money. The cost of all the equipment for even a small 1 KW system is about $1000 (6 used solar panels, solar charge controller, 8 large used 6V AGM batteries, split phase inverter...). The RoI (Return on Investment) time would normally be about 7 years for this setup, however, it would be even longer for me cuz I get some assistance with electric so for me, solar is not worth it. I would break even at about 10 years with a 1 KW system. I likely won't be in the house that long. However, I could use it for 5 years and then sell it. That is a possibility too.

[@tammaragreen2244]

So what is running the dryer? Are there options for a solar stove? I saw he uses propane but I am not comfortable with propane.

[@onecarwood]

That has to be your brother from another mother!

[@olivermarquez1748]

Buenas noches Como se cargan las baterias de litio a 48v, descartando los paneles solares, fuera de red como lo haria que aparato utilizaria

[@MrWtfover1]

Guy"s a Great video, 2-3 Qs though, do you have a transfer switch that runs the critical panel when utility is on? I do not see 1 on your wall. Does your solar stay on when utility is lost? If you tapped into your solar system to power your inverters built in MPPT. where did you tap in and did you need a special device or what. Sorry for the many Qs but I to am installing on a grid tied system a 48vdc 15Kw split phase inverter/charger with and 640ah batteries with a built in 80a MPPT charger. I am trying to find out where and how to keep the power coming in from the solar to feed the inverter/and charge the batteries. any input you can offer would be a big help. Thanks in advance

[@jarrellestes1793]

Great dystum