Calling for solar electric/insulation help!!!

[QC3]

I got a space to start from scratch to build out but I don’t want to be paying power. Im trying to come up with the perfect build for the space I’m using, covering the top in solar. I’m not sure where to start and would love all the help I could get even suggestions on room set up. I’ve been away working hard but I know this is the best spot to really throw ideas at the wall and everyone on here has something to add!! I’ll attach some photos of what I’m working with and let me know what you think I’ll need to power this space.

I’m going for 3 lights on light movers, minisplit, dehumidifier, pumps etc so that all plays in to the usage I don’t know how to calculate the wattage usage or how many batteries I would need for a power bank. Again thank you anyone who goes out their way and gives a little help, it goes a long way

 

[Trichitect]

Here's a good place to start doing some reading. They also have a calculator that may be of use:
PVWatts

 

[OldG]

It may sound like a pipe dream, but it's not. Solar panels allow you to generate free electricity, and you can use that electricity to run a solar powered grow tent or grow room. Six Rivers Solar specializes in solar for cannabis farms and we can help you run your grow lights off of solar panels


I really thought that was a pipe dream. Could you imagine FREE indoor lighting...or almost free.

AMAZING.

 

[LG/]

Imho it's going to come down to budget. Do you have 25k for this build? 50k? 5k?

Money will be the limiting factor. Just my humble opinion.

 

[rkymtnman]

if you get decent wind, I'd add a few wind turbines. they can charge your battery vault at nite.

 

[rkymtnman]

Imho it's going to come down to budget. Do you have 25k for this build? 50k? 5k?

Money will be the limiting factor. Just my humble opinion.

good point. but enough money can solve a lot of issues too! lol.

 

[rkymtnman]

and are your neighbors cool? they are gonna be really curious why the huge solar array on a barn. not to mention probably need to keep outside odors to a minimum

 

[QC3]

Here's a good place to start doing some reading. They also have a calculator that may be of use:
PVWattsmuch appreciated homie

 

[QC3]

Imho it's going to come down to budget. Do you have 25k for this build? 50k? 5k?

Money will be the limiting factor. Just my humble opinion.

100% not just an opinion that’s what I’ve come to the conclusion of as well! so I would say my budget is near 10k

 

[QC3]

if you get decent wind, I'd add a few wind turbines. they can charge your battery vault at nite.

Definitely need to look into this I didn’t think about that

 

[QC3]

and are your neighbors cool? they are gonna be really curious why the huge solar array on a barn. not to mention probably need to keep outside odors to a minimum

I’ve lived here 20+ years so I’ve seen all the neighbors come and go and they all like me(not tooting my horn) I just try to be respectful of their space and they don’t seem to mind what I’ve got going on. I try to stay on a good basis with my neighbors because that’s a limiting factor for sure and I don’t even want to have to think of them as a problem!! Great point

 

[Orion]

If you go total solar, you will need quite a bit of storage(battery's) if the sun don't shine for days you have to keep your lights on!

 

[Buck5050]

That can be a sweet little grow spot. Like others have said solar without batteries isn't a constant power source. And, even then it all depends on the sun. You can supplement your current power usage with solar though. Meaning technically you could grow without having to pay extra cash for electricity use. (ie. your bill will stay about the same throughout the year.) To me, the solar market in the US is by design meant to be installed into current electrical systems. If ya ain't got one it's going to take quite a few pieces of extra equipment. Probably double the upfront cost, you'll probably be halfway invested into setting up what you thought would work and be like "What the fuck did I do this for?"

If I had that shed I start by grabbing a shovel and some 3/4" conduit and dig from my main meter panel to the closest corner of the shed. Drop in the conduit and pull in some wire to get a sub-panel mounted into the shed. Extension cords work too but are limited to the circuits they are connected to and are generally a pain in the ass.

 

[Mizzo81]

Insulate well. Foam board and seal it with can foam around the edges. The reflective faced stuff would probably do well

 

[LG/]

100% not just an opinion that’s what I’ve come to the conclusion of as well! so I would say my budget is near 10k

Are you installing everything yourself?
A minisplit just cost someone I know 7k installed... but if you diy then probably 2-3k?

If I were you, I'd run it off/with normal power grid, where you can sell some back if that's available in your area. But you don't have to. That said either way, Id make the build modular, basically start minimal but make it easy to add/expand. Don't feel like you have to go all in right from the start.

If you stay off grid, do 1/3 the size your thinking or 1/3 the space. Then add on.
The only parts you may want to go big with are the minisplit and the dehumidifier, so your not paying more for multiple units. Even so, it may be beneficial to have 2 or 3 completely isolated grow spaces in there. Like totally separate from each other. Then use em all in the prime/summer season. And cut back in the winter (switch all the panels to charging one batt in the winter, independent/seperate in the summer).

And cost wise... a minisplit long term would be cool. Maybe window unit to start? A big oversized one.... idk just spit balling. You can get some free depending on your area on CL. Buy even so 500$ is a big difference from 3k....

And I am assuming you have alot of growing experience. I wouldn't go big as a beginner. Again just my 2c.

I'm just throwing ideas around...

 

[Willie]

Imho it's going to come down to budget. Do you have 25k for this build? 50k? 5k?

Money will be the limiting factor. Just my humble opinion.

This is definitely the thing here.

100% not just an opinion that’s what I’ve come to the conclusion of as well! so I would say my budget is near 10k

It sucks not being rich enough A DIY minisplit system will set you back around 2k alone. I don't think you'll get close to that 10k as a cost........you gonna need a bunch of stuff

Insulate well. Foam board and seal it with can foam around the edges. The reflective faced stuff would probably do well

Foam Board? He's on budget, it would be cheaper to bring in a spray insulation contractor and leave it to them.

 

[Mizzo81]

This is definitely the thing here.

It sucks not being rich enough A DIY minisplit system will set you back around 2k alone. I don't think you'll get close to that 10k as a cost........you gonna need a bunch of stuff

Foam Board? He's on budget, it would be cheaper to bring in a spray insulation contractor and leave it to them.

Not around here.

 

[LG/]

This is definitely the thing here.

It sucks not being rich enough A DIY minisplit system will set you back around 2k alone. I don't think you'll get close to that 10k as a cost........you gonna need a bunch of stuff

Foam Board? He's on budget, it would be cheaper to bring in a spray insulation contractor and leave it to them.

This is bold, but I wouldn't insulate. Use the air between the studs, put plastic film/tarp or better yet panda film and attach (dual purpose, reflecting and seal between the walls and film to make an air insulation gap). Air is a decent insulator. Keep the panda film intact and seal peices together well. A 10x100 roll is pretty reasonably priced. Then one peice on the ceiling and tape the seams up really well.

 

[QC3]

If you go total solar, you will need quite a bit of storage(battery's) if the sun don't shine for days you have to keep your lights on!

i was thinking 6 200ah lithium ion batteries connected in series or 12 100 ah but the thing is those batteries are expensive as hell

 

[QC3]

That can be a sweet little grow spot. Like others have said solar without batteries isn't a constant power source. And, even then it all depends on the sun. You can supplement your current power usage with solar though. Meaning technically you could grow without having to pay extra cash for electricity use. (ie. your bill will stay about the same throughout the year.) To me, the solar market in the US is by design meant to be installed into current electrical systems. If ya ain't got one it's going to take quite a few pieces of extra equipment. Probably double the upfront cost, you'll probably be halfway invested into setting up what you thought would work and be like "What the fuck did I do this for?"

If I had that shed I start by grabbing a shovel and some 3/4" conduit and dig from my main meter panel to the closest corner of the shed. Drop in the conduit and pull in some wire to get a sub-panel mounted into the shed. Extension cords work too but are limited to the circuits they are connected to and are generally a pain in the ass.

honestly i might get quoted for the solar programs here because i am already using the power so if i just delegate it elsewhere ie running the conduit to its own box from the main box, then just have a good amount of pannels. The amount of peak light hours in my ares is 4.5 but thats just at its max strength i get sun all day in this location