What to do with the old solar system?

[Wil Tryharder]

There looks like there is an enormous amount of electrical and solar knowledge on the forum. So I’m hoping someone can clear something up for me.
Our old 5kWh solar system (panels, inverter and racking ) is being removed on Tuesday. And a new 17.2kWh with battery backup system (more on that later) is being installed on Thursday.

I’m pondering on what to do with the old system. It’s 6.25kWh of LG panels and 5kWh SolarEdge (Micro inverters, but not smart inverter). Worked faultlessly for 7 years.

Option one: I was thinking of having it installed on my shed (man cave) as a ‘slave system/off grid’, not sure of the terminology. To run a selection of power tools and pumps we have running there. I’m being told that my old inverter won’t work unless it ‘sees’ the grid. And my infrastructure company is unlikely to approve the installation anyway. It doesn’t have the ‘Smarts’ to be compatible with the new 3 phase inverter thats going in. The shed is some distance from the switch board. And although the property builder had the foresight to install some pipe work and draw lines under the ground, joining the house with the shed. I’m told it’s still won’t work, ‘just having it there ticking over on sunny days’ as I put it’. I was hoping to understand the reason why before moving to option two.

Option two: Give it to a neighbour. Keeping one panel, to turn into a coffee table for the aforementioned man cave/cafe.

Option three: Sell it on EBay.

 

[decrep]

I've thought about this problem, and I think it's hackable.
The old inverter needs to "see" the grid, so that it can be perfectly in phase with it. If it's not in phase there could be a big fire!

So I think you could simulate the grid, you just need another inverter that will produce 240V @50Hz from a battery. The only problem is excess solar will want to go back down this inverter line, you'd have to convince it to charge a battery or something else. I'm sure an electrical engineer could figure a way around this, but don't quote me!

 

[pollenface]

My off grid system is built from 3-4 old solar systems that people got rid of when they upgraded.

 

[Joshua42]

My off grid system is built from 3-4 old solar systems that people got rid of when they upgraded.

I think
Repurposing old solar panels saves money and eliminates waste. It's fantastic to see sustainable techniques in action. Have you discovered they work well together? I would love to learn more about your setup!

 

[decrep]

that's the other possibility, sell to an enthusiast.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

that's the other possibility, sell to an enthusiast.

Option 4: I’m liking this option a lot.
I think it’s better than me making a mess of it. And probably more sustainable considering that our new system will probably cover our needs easily.

 

[Bam Bam]

In the UK there is a charity that sometimes arrange to send old solar panels to Africa. No sure if there is anything similar in Aus, maybe sending to Pacific nations or anything like that.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

In the UK there is a charity that sometimes arrange to send old solar panels to Africa. No sure if there is anything similar in Aus, maybe sending to Pacific nations or anything like that.

Turns out there are ?
And in some states putting old panels in landfill is banned. ?

 

[Gadget Geek]

When I first read the title of this thread; "What to do with the old solar system?", I thought "the sun will take care of it in about 5 billion years when it goes nova". Sorry, it's just the way my brain works (or doesn't)

 

[decrep]

When I first read the title of this thread; "What to do with the old solar system?", I thought "the sun will take care of it in about 5 billion years when it goes nova". Sorry, it's just the way my brain works (or doesn't)

I quite like brains that work like that

 

[davidfarmilo]

You could use say 500W of panels buy a solar controller inverter and leisure battery and have a bit of 240V power in the man cave for not much outlay maybe run some LED lights off it and charge the power tools.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

You could use say 500w of panels buy a solar controller inverter and leisure battery and have a bit of 240v power in the man cave for not much outlay maybe run some led lights off it and charge the power tools.

Great idea ?
Ok, research to be done!

 

[Gomev]

You could use say 500W of panels buy a solar controller inverter and leisure battery and have a bit of 240V power in the man cave for not much outlay maybe run some LED lights off it and charge the power tools.

I do that with a single 100W solar panel kit, leisure battery and a cheapo ebay inverter, total cost less than £250. For example

ECO-WORTHY 12V Solar Panel Kit 120W Battery Charger Controller RV Trailer Camper | eBay

Solar Panel Kit. Solar Panel. Solar Panel System. Lithium Battery.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm sure with all the kit you have you can do better than that.

 

[davidfarmilo]

I do that with a single 100W solar panel kit, leisure battery and a cheapo ebay inverter, total cost less than £250. For example

ECO-WORTHY 12V Solar Panel Kit 120W Battery Charger Controller RV Trailer Camper | eBay

Solar Panel Kit. Solar Panel. Solar Panel System. Lithium Battery.

www.ebay.co.uk

I'm sure with all the kit you have you can do better than that.

I've used sunshine solar before they seemed pretty good

 

[pollenface]

Have you discovered they work well together? I would love to learn more about your setup!

Each array with different panels needs its own MPPT. I have about 5.6kW of panels, 5x Victron mppts charging 12V and 48V battery banks. The 48V system can charge the EV, the 12V system is mainly for lights and keeping motorbike batteries topped up.

 

[Tread Softly Terran]

I thought the same. Was packing my bags and ready to follow Voyager 1, when I read the question.. ?

 

[Wil Tryharder]

ready to follow Voyager 1

Shotgun Voyager 2 ? which doesn’t leave a lot for the rest of you ?