Any of yall have solar?

[quakerboy]

Im looking for some fairly local folks to compare numbers with.

[BeneteauBum]

1. I've been on solar for fifteen years

Though I live on a Beneteau 321. Nice being off the grid. Probably not the response you are looking for.

Peace ☮️

[quakerboy]

5. Ha. Now id like to know more

I have known others to live that life. I hear its fairly cold at the best of times, which would actually be ok by me, but I think id have trouble with limited space.

Looking at that model.. where do you have room for solar? Im assuming its a pretty limited size system.

[BeneteauBum]

10. Well, I spend a lot of time in south Florida and Bahamas

I installed four Lifeline 6v AGM Group 31 house batteries and one group 27. I have one 360w panel attached to the stern over the dinghy davits and one 100w panel on the starboard side which helps quite a bit when anchored in an easterly wind which is the dominant direction most of the year. Provides plenty of power for refrigeration, lights, and water pressure pump.

The Beneteau has 6’3” headroom even the aft cabin. It is spartan living but I enjoy the minimalist lifestyle. No TV, AC, or car. Spend a lot of time free diving…..spearfishing and pulling lobster/ stone crabs when the water temperature allows. FYI, a vessel is labor intensive….ALWAYS something to fix.

The coldest I’ve been was two mornings in Ft. Myers Beach when the temp got down to 27….there was frost on the deck. Only blankets and an oil lamp for heat. Good day for a good book.

My three daughters think I’m nuts……they may be right.

Peace ☮️

[quakerboy]

13. Fair enough

The person i knew who spent the most time living aboard a sailboat was on the northern Washington coast. Im sure that Florida coast would be a bit warmer, generally.

I dont think i could live without AC. What do you do during some of the more alarming inclement weather situations (thinking hurricane incoming, mostly)?

[BeneteauBum]

14. With hurricanes

Find shelter for the boat, take all the canvas and solar panels down, make sure ground tackle is secure, and if the forecast is severe enough, get to a safe shelter. I’ve been aboard for three tropical storms and one cat 1 hurricane. Lost my first boat, a 39’ Pearson yawl, during cat 4 Irma when another vessel broke loose and cut my anchor lines. Found her up in the mangroves five days later. Had to start over. Shit happens and you deal with it.

Peace ☮️

[in2herbs]

2. I live in another state but have solar. My recommendation is to install more panels than what the

solar company says you will need. In that way you will be generating more power ($$) than just the bare minimum.

I have 30 panels on concrete columns that rotate with the movement of the sun. My house is 4200 sq. ft. and I still have an energy credit -- even after four months!

[quakerboy]

3. Ive got the panels. But the production is not what i was expecting, even given season and weather

Im hoping to find someone local to compare live production numbers with occasionally to see if theres a problem with my setup or my expectations

[MLAA]

4. I've been on solar with batteries for about 5 years and love it.

Of course I leave in a desert 🌵 🏜️ so plenty of sunshine. I no longer have an electric bill.

[quakerboy]

6. Interesting

Either out east Oregon, or not oregon, i assume?

[MLAA]

7. Sorry, I didn't see you were specifically asking about Oregon. I'm in Southern Az.

[quakerboy]

8. No worries.

Ive spent a bit of time in AZ, and I can easily believe that you have no power bill. Seems like about a perfect location for solar panels. That said.. I wouldnt trade. I like water. And greenery that i dont have to water. And my current lack of local scorpion population suites me just fine. lol.

[MLAA]

9. Every so often I like a small dose of humidity, rain, and I don't mind if it rains on my vacation 😂

[Polly Hennessey]

11. We have had solar since last April and love it.

[quakerboy]

12. You up for a pm with some questions?

[3Hotdogs]

15. The finance works best if you are paying cash for the product and installation.

Financing the deal can result in a "break even" financial result. More so in Northern climates.