Simple 800 watt Backyard Solar Panel System

Here's a quick overview of my simple, 800 watt DIY solar panel system. In this video, I walk you through the backyard installation, solar panel mount, wiring into the home, and the inverter and battery backup system. I also cover how much money it can save on electricity and the peace of mind that comes from having a backup power source in the event of a power outage. The solar panels are Spartan Solar 200 watt, the battery backup and inverter is the Bluetti AC300 and Bluetti B300.

[Electronzap]

Nice. If you have a wooden fence, then I think that's one of the best places to mount panels on. Lots of people don't think it's worth spending money on preparing for a power outage until they have been through a long one. The solar installers I watch often mention that they get a lot of business after a disaster.

[suvari]

It is all about power independence and self capability. 800w is not shabby, and there is a room for expansion.

[boblatkey]

I bought all of my own equipment for about $13, 000 and I use my battery and my solar system in "non-export mode" so I have never told the local building department or my electric utility about my equipment. Screw them and all their permitting hassles. I did however claim the 30% tax credit and the IRS never checks. This system saves me about $3000 per year so do the math! Not too bad! As long as I have good sunny weather I use no power at all from the grid.

[mfb]

Love this little system! Love Bluettie over the other teams also! But, have to rewatch (I was digging the music!)

[micahtron]

I've been designing my setup for the exact same purpose. You can do it a spare marine battery and small inverter too. It's perfect for renters too.

[johndahl]

I have my littel system here to with only 300 watt solar panel and I use it for my amatuer radio now 3 years with 400 amp lead battery work perfekt

[scatman]

I am very interested in doing this. But I MUST say that I kept watching because of the background music. Well done video! Thank you for your posting!

[Mgamerz]

Nice setup. I have something kind of similar. Delta 2 + 800W (to get it to 500w max earlier). Powers my grow tent i use for gardening and my entertainment center. Also charges my smaller portable battery i use to power my usb charging pretty much 100% of the time including my laptop and power tool batteries.

[sharon]

I would have loved to see how you ran the wires through your wall and what components you used to make sure it was sealed up etc. Thanks!

[MrPrplhaze]

I also have an 800 watt solar array. With 2.5kwh battery, whole system was less than $1400. so far it has saved me around $200 in electricity in 3 months. For those people laughing about the cost, spending 2k on a battery was his big mistake. You can get 48v 50ah batteries now for just over $400. so for $800, he could have gotten 5kwh of battery, instead of paying 2k$ for a 3kwh battery. I'm averaging between .8kwh, and 2.8kwh per day with my system. I run my mini fridge, daily coffee, and other misc stuff on it. :)

[alztruli]

I just bought a portable solar generator and want to buy solar panels to charge it. I would like to have at least 2 charging points coming from the same solar panels. Are there are any "distribution boxes" or something of the sort that will allow me run cables from the solar panels to different rooms and allow me change which charging point is active at any given time?

[invisiblesurfer]

This is a great video and thanks for sharing but like with all videos of people installing solar panels on their backyards I do wonder how wife approvals are obtained.

[chumark]

Thanks for the clip. I have 2 questions: 1. The disconnect switch is to cut off the electricity from the panel for safety reason, correct? 2. Does your battery have the stop charging function when it's full?

[streetracer]

Super Smart setup, you saved a lot of space and time not dealing with wiring a bunch of extra batteries and separate D.I.Y. inverter/charger components. Can't beat simple and safe. Question about the disconnect switch, I have almost 1, 200 watts of ground mounted solar I have not yet plugged into my AC200L. Is the disconnect switch required for permit reasons, or just an extra safety step? Also, is there any type of permits required that you know of for this type of ground/fence setup?

[drewx]

Nice easy setup. This runs parallel to an idea I've had of setting up cells in my back yard and doing a car cover with the panels. Question for you is what gauge is the wires coming from the panels?

[allen]

How did you run the wire from the panels to your shutoff switch?

[flolou]

Dumb Question: But the panels are a good 15 to 20 feet away it seems from the disconnect box, he highlights that than talks about the inverter and so on, in the basement,
but how does the power from the solar panel even get across the yard? I don't see any wires leading out from the solar panel across the yard?

(like I said maybe a dumb question)

[OWK]

I wonder how you came up with the math of saving $90 a year: that included costs for setting up the system?

The other thing is I noticed that exposed coil of wiring next to the house. You would think that conduit would be more important outdoors where UV light WILL breakdown your wiring insulation rather quickly especially if it isn't rated for UV exposure, but even then. Whatever you do, hide that wiring from the sun.

[mpcjunkie]

I have a question - are you connecting the AC300 along with home electricity simultaneously with the solar power? Can you conenct both at the same time so if one gives out then the other keeps going? If it's strictly solar then aren't you concerned that cloudy or rainy days may power down your so you go have to go hit the switch? I guess im thinking more if there's a "set it and forget it" method going here.

[Sjrick]

I want to do this exact setup on my fence. However, i would most likely keep the panels laying flat on my fence. I hadn't thought of angling them however. Now i am guessing i wouldnt need an inverter since the Eco Flow battery already has them built it. Do you have your system tied into your home electric ?