6/6
Overall it's been a huge learning experience, and we are so much more conscious of energy use at home now. I would caution that if you want something that works just like the grid without any maintenance and monitoring on your part, you might be disappointed. But if you're willing to look inside the black box of your energy use, you will learn more than you expect about the comforts we take for granted.

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient #ireland

5/6
We cook on gas in summer & on our wood-fired range in winter (which also does rads & hot water). Might add BBQ & induction plate for summer.

We also have thermal solar panels (tubes). Unfashionable these days, but they are great, and we haven't even gotten to full summer yet. There's an immersion element in our water tank but we haven't hooked it up, so far the range and the thermal tubes have kept the water warm most of the time.

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient

4/6
Instead of just increasing storage capacity, we also decided to get a bigger inverter. It was cheaper to go to a 48v inverter, and I couldn't get a second identical battery because it had been discontinued, so we went with a 16kWh Fogstar eco battery (it is a beast!)

Now we have more than we need, and our victron 48/5000 multi can even handle charging my EV, which is a game changer for an old EV with limited range.

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient #ireland

3/6
This system was good for LED lights, laptops, mini fridge, phones, power tools. We used gas for cooking, had no running water at this stage.

When our deep well was drilled, however, the powerful pump required, along with the water treatment system and circulation pumps, was pushing our system limits during the winter. Had to run the genny a lot more than in previous winters. I was constantly checking battery levels.

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient #ireland

2/6
My lack of experience possibly shortened the life of the lead batteries, so a few years later we upgraded to a 24v 280Ah lithium battery and it made a world of difference, charged faster, no maintenance etc.

Used PV panels are cheap, so I added a few, then my home-made ground mounted panels blew over during a storm so I lost a few too!

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient #ireland

1/6
Just thought I'd share our experience over the last 10 years, for those thinking of going off-grid.

The rural cottage we bought a decade ago was already cut off from the grid (literally the wires were cut), so the money we might've spent connecting to the electricity network, we instead got our first off-grid system, 24v lead batteries, 3 pv panels, 24/3000 victron inverter and generator (with automatic voltage regulation).

#offgrid #victron #fogstar #solar #energy #selfsufficient #ireland