Winter Solstice 2024: Reevaluate Your Solar Systems Now

[@jimbor2279]

Bob, you’re right! Everybody’s system is different because we’re scattered in different parts of the world. Your analysis is not only spot on, but it’s very relational to the systems that are all over the world. We all deal with the same things when it comes to solar. Good to see you, my friend. 🤙

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Mahalo brother! Good to see you as always! Love this time of year! Will only get better now! Power on! Aloha!🏄🏼🤙

[@ernestkooistra1559]

Happy Winter Solstice!! It just gets better after that! Slowly..... Peace!

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Longer days on the way! Aloha!🤙

[@Unconditionallyloved1]

I always jump for joy on the winter solstice ha ha . Yaaaa, the days are getting longer now .

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Tracking the sun for over 30 years now, I do the same brother! Yaaay!!! Longer days on the way! Aloha!🤙

[@vonfleming2178]

I was just walking around today looking at where the Sun is and isn't. Now I just need to get true east and west so I can start building a ground mount for the panels. Another Great video Bob thanks!

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

That's the way to do it brother!🤙

[@Noelshepherd]

You are absolutely right about doing a deep check of your system during the winter solstice. I made a high mistake when I made my arrays in a tight space during the summer. When the Fall and Winter arrived, I had shading from a fence a the top of the house. I had to redo the arrays which cost me more time and effort.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

So glad you were able to fix it! It's always a good idea to plan for the shorter days! Aloha!🤙

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Fortunate sun. I'm ❤ing the VE scc. Things are going well.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Right on brother! They make a world of diff for me as well! Aloha!🤙

[@daddio7249]

I already have 11,000 watts of panels and just got all the material I need to install another 4,000 watts. I have most trees cleared away 200 feet or more to the south of my ground mounts. I have an off grid system but still have my grid connection. I am in north Florida so it does get cool some days so I use space heaters. I am mounting my new panels at 36 degrees to get the most out of the January sun. I hope with the extra panels my 30 kWh battery bank will 100% before the sun goes down.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

You are all set brother! 🤙

[@robert4027]

climbing the roof is not in my vocabulary either lol. ground Mount is the way to go 👍

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

I hear you, brother! Ground mounts are the way to go!🤙...not as sure footed as I used to be up there!!🤣

[@robert4027]

​@@ProjectsinParadise808same here 👍👍

[@margarita8442]

with bi facials

[@JMac_Narwhal]

I did reevaluate good sir and you penciled me in 😉 Lets film together in the new year

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Aloha brother! Looking forward to it! 🤙

[@TheSimpleLivingAussie]

One day to go before we get the summer solstice on my side of the world, then we send the sun back down to you again. We're playing sun tennis 🎾☀🎾

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Yes we are!🤣🤙

[@johnmal5975]

Got a couple more panels to add for this time of year in Florida. Overall pretty happy with the upgrades I made because of your video you made last year on this topic. The video was the one you did on the spring equinox. Always great sound advice!

[@1GREATDANE]

Doing Good with 8 280ah CHINS with LTCP 4 100ah REDODO with LTCP 4 RENOGY 200AH AGM 4 24 Volt 100ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries with LTCP as well All Tied into 24 Volt Packs and Fused and Battery Balanced as Advised 4400 Watts o Solar Adds The Fuel to All 5 Systems 👌 💦 🌴 Indian Creek Ranch 🌵 ⛩ Southern California High Desert - Aloha Brother 🤙 and a Very Merry Christmas to Ya 🎅

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Doing good out here as well brother! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well! Aloha!🤙

[@robertmeyer4744]

great job. It is hard for all year solar hear in NY . My best months are May and June. The summer heat drops panel output . But for hot water that is a peak . My less solar months are Jan and FEB due to snowy and cloudy days .This year was a late start to snow for us but when it came it piled up quick then melted then the next storm piled up again. That is how it had been this winter. Not staying cold. not staying warm either. Everyone I know had a bad cold or flu already . That season came a tad early. I have had all the recommended shots and not gotten ill yet . Wind power has been great . Better than normal. I installed a air source mini split for heat and AC. It super efficient but it does not heat below freezing . But it works well enough to cut propane use buy 1/3 so far . To heat all winter I need ground source heat pump with about 500 ft deep wells. That install cost is way more than I can afford and never pay for itself over time do do maintenance needed to keep it going. Pumps work harder in deep well . On a large system it would be worth it. I have seen micro hydro systems. They neat with a paddle well in a creak. many ways to make clean power . I just got new solar panels for a install. Most efficient you buy today and from China . Only company making them. The current buss bars you see on cells are gone and put on the back side. making more sun get into cells. Another breakthrew. 3KW panels with ground mount . They going with Victron all in 1 -48V off grid system. Going in in spring. Customer got some stuff now before tariffs go in .

[@2hotscottpro]

My mini split 9k btu went into defrost mode about every 7 minutes while it was 20*f. Pulling over 30 amps from a 48v 230ah battery.Used about 10ah in 10 minutes.One days use would take 4 days to recharge.A 4200 watt array only producing 55ah max per day.

[@robertmeyer4744]

@@2hotscottpro sounds about right for a 9KBTU mini split. I do not run mine when temp drops below 40F .Not my main heat source but the AC cooling side is super efficient ! I cool to 80F with ceiling fan.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Lots of respiratory crud running around out here too! Sounds like you got everything covered for the winter! We'll be keeping an eye out there on ya! At least we gained another minute of sun today?!? Hang in the brother! Aloha!🤙

[@rickharold7884]

So awesome. Generator == lead acid battery == RIP Aloha brother !

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Get an extra minute or so of sun today!🤣 Aloha Rick!🤙

[@rickharold7884]

@ love those extra minutes!!!

[@kenniharder1680]

Thank you for the message. Appreciate it.❤🇨🇦

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Aloha! 🤙

[@johnkirby6547]

Nice update Bob, I have been taking notes on my best spots so I can move a couple things around and add a few panels early next year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Mahalo brother! You'll get those panels in place and be cranking out the watts in no time!🤙

[@TheTimshady337]

I was disappointed last time I was on Oahu last month. Less than 1Kw max when I was pulling in 1 8+ Kw during the summer. They were used panels. I had 8 100w panels delivered to install on my next trip. Might get 2 more 100w panels before that

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

You will love the difference with new panels! Aloha!🤙

[@matthewwakeham2206]

I get enough power to run the tv for 3.5 hours a night. I've moved the panels to avoid shade but if you get no sun it doesn't make a difference! I'm in the uk so this time of year it's dark 16hrs a day anyway and some days I'm only getting 20-30wh. In the better months I can power the fridge pretty much 24hrs a day. My plan is to upgrade to a 30amp charge controller so I can get the maximum out of my 2x410 watt panels. When the sun is out i need to maximise charging! I'd then like to add another 2.5kwh battery to give me 5kwh but that will depend on budget. I've got two spare 175watt panels so I may see if I can do something with them.

[@offgridwanabe]

My seasonal evaluation is in and it is the same every year I need to move to be Bob's neighbour

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

🤣🏄🏼🤙

[@kathleenmaurici1158]

Great video

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

🤙

[@AWESOMEGODDIVER]

Hey Bob. Quick question. Why haven't you trimmed or cut the tree to keep from shading? I always enjoy your videos thanks for sharing.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

I just try not to cut trees and work with what I have. Too much cutting out here really affects the environment. Lots of people scape their lots and this is a small rock that can't sustain such activity. So if I need an extra panel here and there , I just add one. Aloha!🤙

[@AWESOMEGODDIVER]

​@@ProjectsinParadise808 I completely understand. Keep up the videos. We enjoy them.

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

I can't make it in December and January in central California without the grid. I think I would need at least 100% of my battery Banks in panels. I currently have 30%, and that's perfect for 10 months out of the year.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Yeah, it can be tough those months, but 10 months coverage is good brother!🤙

[@leetaves9143]

I HAVE THREE OF THEM BATTERY BALANCER NOW IT IS AMAZING HOW WELL THEY WORK I CAN ONLY BUY ONE BATTERY AT A TIME, TO MAKE THE BIG ONES 200AH 24 VOLT THANKS FOR THE INFO

[@leetaves9143]

hey bob how you doing in the sun shine state to night 32, beats minnesota

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

That is a great idea, you will get a lot more out of your system!🤙

[@margarita8442]

some people convert lawn mowers to steam generators , is on utube

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

🤙

[@leetaves9143]

HEY BOB

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Lee!🤙

[@stuartstuart866]

Bob, With all the foliage that you have, any thoughts about getting shade tolerant panels?

[@dheller777]

Are all your panels wired in series? If so, would putting them in parallel or series parallel give you better output in times of partial shading.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

I am all in series out here. And yes, I could probably squeeze out a little more in parallel or SP , but I'm really doing fine as is, plus I have some fairly long runs which series pumps a little faster for that. In the mountains years ago I was in parallel, but the sun angle was drastically different. Aloha!🤙

[@houseofancients]

Haven't seen the sun here now for a month and a half.. There's no system one can build for that

[@margarita8442]

north pole

[@houseofancients]

@margarita8442 nope, north western Europe.. We've been " blessed " with a dunkelflaute now since end of October.. Next sun will hopefully be there next week

[@nef003]

Why not cut those trees that block the sun?