I’ve also had a very positive experience with Sol-Ark I opted to get two of the 4K systems described by James. A total of 30 panels, 16 batteries, and two transfer switches. That lets me have a total of twelve circuits running on solar. Among other things, we’re running three refrigerators, two freezers, various lights and receptacles, microwave, washer, etc.
I ground-mounted the panels in two rows on mounting hardware provided by Sol-Ark My panels are about 200 feet from the house. I had to build a small building about 100 feet from both the panels and the house to install the electronics. The battery boxes are located outside the building. I chose to use wet batteries and needed to be able to vent them to the atmosphere. The power produced by the Sol-Ark system goes from the building housing the electronics to the house where the transfer switches are located.
The system has been working flawlessly for almost 8 months now.
The system is designed so that during the day the circuits you have run through the transfer switch run on solar as long as the batteries do not discharge below, I believe, 90% of capacity. At night the system automatically switches to the grid. It also switches to the grid if the batteries discharge sufficiently. The equipment indicates whether you’re running on battery or grid power. For the first month, I ran the system I never saw it switch to the grid as it was supposed to do. Occasionally my battery discharge would be more than 90% of capacity, and I was still running off the batteries at night. When I started carefully checking to determine the source of the problem I discovered I had neglected to connect the systems to the grid by plugging in the cords that feed grid power to the system. That was an unintentional error, but it provided a good real-world test of the system in the absence of grid power. The system passed with flying colors.
I also have the emp hardened version.
One other feature of my system is that I also have my generator connected in a way that lets me use it if grid power is not available. That lets me use the generator to charge the batteries if necessary but minimizes generator use to save fuel and minimize noise.
First-rate system. First-rate people to deal with. If you’re going to get one deal directly with Sol-Ark.
James – Florida
Read the comment on The Survival Blog
I’ve also had a very positive experience with Sol-Ark I opted to get two of the 4K systems described by James. A total of 30 panels, 16 batteries, and two transfer switches. That lets me have a total of twelve circuits running on solar. Among other things, we’re running three refrigerators, two freezers, various lights and receptacles, microwave, washer, etc.
I ground-mounted the panels in two rows on mounting hardware provided by Sol-Ark My panels are about 200 feet from the house. I had to build a small building about 100 feet from both the panels and the house to install the electronics. The battery boxes are located outside the building. I chose to use wet batteries and needed to be able to vent them to the atmosphere. The power produced by the Sol-Ark system goes from the building housing the electronics to the house where the transfer switches are located.
The system has been working flawlessly for almost 8 months now.
The system is designed so that during the day the circuits you have run through the transfer switch run on solar as long as the batteries do not discharge below, I believe, 90% of capacity. At night the system automatically switches to the grid. It also switches to the grid if the batteries discharge sufficiently. The equipment indicates whether you’re running on battery or grid power. For the first month, I ran the system I never saw it switch to the grid as it was supposed to do. Occasionally my battery discharge would be more than 90% of capacity, and I was still running off the batteries at night. When I started carefully checking to determine the source of the problem I discovered I had neglected to connect the systems to the grid by plugging in the cords that feed grid power to the system. That was an unintentional error, but it provided a good real-world test of the system in the absence of grid power. The system passed with flying colors.
I also have the emp hardened version.
One other feature of my system is that I also have my generator connected in a way that lets me use it if grid power is not available. That lets me use the generator to charge the batteries if necessary but minimizes generator use to save fuel and minimize noise.
First-rate system. First-rate people to deal with. If you’re going to get one deal directly with Sol-Ark.
James – Florida
Read the comment on The Survival Blog