A Tennessee homeowner is exploring an unusual approach to powering their new build, installing solar panels before even connecting to the electric grid.
The resident took to Reddit's r/SolarDIY forum to share their plans and ask for advice.
In the Reddit thread, the original poster explained that the expected construction time for the 1,600-square-foot, single-story home is 16 months.
The OP then wrote that, "Utility power is available, but I am weighing the cost-benefit of getting solar panels early and holding off on grid connection. There are high costs in the utility connections which I would like to defer until later."
Using solar during construction would not mean relying on it exclusively, as the OP explained; gas generators would still supply tools and equipment with heavy electrical demands as needed.
Still, they wondered if there was "a packaged system that I can buy that can be used in this scenario and then be adapted to a grid-tie setup for when construction is nearly completed?"
Commenters explained that the OP's plan was possible, though it might be more expensive than they might anticipate. One wrote, "Something like the Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra can do this as a plug and play system. It's pricey. Budget-ier options would be all-in-one inverters plus batteries."
Another commenter explained, "You need to write down the loads so you get an inverter that can handle the peak loads and enough battery to supply the energy you need. We can't answer these things for you as we don't know the loads. Only you do. If you are building solar first, consider a plan to never connect to the grid."
Not every commenter was supportive, however. One user suggested that, "It'll probably be cheaper and more reliable to get a grid connection first."
For households that are exploring residential solar, $0-upfront leases may offer electricity savings of hundreds of dollars per month, depending on their circumstances. EasyHome's free explorer tool helps estimate possible savings and find vetted local installers.
A grid-connected system would be the eventual result of the ground-mounted solar installation the homeowner is considering. Its first job, however, would be supplying electricity during construction.
Battery storage is another option to consider when planning when and how to connect to the grid. Beyond simplifying solar installations, EasyHome offers battery-storage exploration options for homeowners considering how to pair batteries with solar.
For a system intended to serve both the construction site and the completed home, pairing solar with batteries could help manage electricity costs and also provide backup power during outages once the home is occupied.
Getting solar up and running before connecting to the grid means weighing installation costs, battery options, and utility requirements.
• A Minnesota cabin owner faces grid-connection hurdles for DIY solar, drawing little surprise from installers.
• A rural Southern homeowner considers off-grid solar for outages, but battery costs complicate the plan.
• A homeowner with $50,000 budgeted hears DIY off-grid solar could deliver 100 kWh for $30,000.
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