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#1

Energy Saving Technology / [Help] Topanga, CA Home Reno: ...

Last post by eaea - July 06, 2026, 04:30:12 AM

Hey guys,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm a homeowner in Topanga (LA County), currently doing a major reno on my place. Given the crazy PGE rates and the constant PSPS (power shutoffs) during fire season, I've decided to finally pull the trigger on a solar + storage setup while the walls are open.
The Situation:
Location: Topanga, CA (lots of shade from oaks, but good south-facing roof space).
Grid: PG&E (stuck with NEM 3.0, so export rates are trash. Goal is high self-consumption).
Main Panel: Upgrading to 200A. Planning to install a critical loads sub-panel for the essentials.
The Load & Concern:
I've got a standard kitchen fridge that I need to keep running during outages. I've been reading threads about compressor startup surges tripping inverters.
Fridge: Running watts are low (~150W), but I'm worried about that 3-5x startup spike.
Other loads: Mini-split AC (12k BTU), well pump (1/2 HP), and basic lights/internet.
My Rough Plan:
Inverter: Looking at a 48V Hybrid setup (maybe EG4 or similar?).
Battery: Thinking 2x 48V 100Ah LiFePO4 to start.
PV: ~6kW array (mix of microinverters or optimizers due to tree shade).
Questions for the group:
Is 200Ah total enough buffer to handle the fridge surge + well pump kicking in simultaneously without browning out?
For the critical loads panel, do you recommend hardwiring the fridge or just using a heavy-duty outlet?
Any specific "gotchas" for Topanga fire code compliance I should know about before I buy gear?
Thanks in advance! Trying not to blow the budget but want it done right.

#2

General Discussion / Re: Survey on low-Carbon energ...

Last post by cameronluka9 - January 07, 2026, 06:52:14 AM

Hi I know i'm late but the topic you've chosen for your survey is quite interesting, and I'm sure you must have gotten great insights regarding low-carbon energy. For a place like orkney, these topics, if worked upon will help enhance and conserve energy on to the next level. When I did survey on Wikipedia page creations, I had the opportunity to work with leaders that gave me alot of learning and opportunities as well.

#3

General / Re: solar storage uk

Last post by SunFood - December 18, 2025, 03:52:26 PM

Here does solar panel and battery installation for domestic buildings

https://goodwill-electrical.co.uk/domestic-services/domestic-solar-panels-installation-and-maintenance-services/

#4

Heat Pumps / Tariff selection for ASHP

Last post by Will Hooper - November 29, 2025, 06:06:33 PM

My newly installed ASHP system has been up and running for a few weeks now and I'm wondering which tariff to use.
Has anyone developed a spreadsheet/software to help with the choice of tariff to minimise running costs, based on the following factors:
Annual and seasonal consumption - house / ASHP (actual or projected) / EV charging
Pattern of daily consumption.
Solar generation capability / battery capacity.

#5

General Discussion / Re: Global warming

Last post by SunFood - September 30, 2025, 03:58:58 PM

They also release toxic waste, but they bury these barrels miles down in the ground so that it does not effect anyone.

#6

General Discussion / Re: Global warming

Last post by SunFood - September 04, 2025, 03:54:57 PM

Remember nuclear plants heat up water and steam gets release. So I don't think it will add to global warming.

#7

General Discussion / Re: Funding/investment/partner...

Last post by SunFood - July 04, 2025, 03:15:18 PM

Is to promote your invention or are you selling it?

#8

Solar PV / Help with shopping list of Vic...

Last post by alex5485 - April 01, 2025, 10:09:32 AM

Hello! I'm in the process of planning my first solar PV system and would appreciate your help. I have 6 solar PV arrays, each with different orientations and angles. I'm determined to maximise the number of panels, including on north-facing sides, by covering a garage door with vertical panels and possibly flat-mounting a couple over a dormer. It might seem excessive, but someone told me it can't be done, so I'm set on proving them wrong the hard way!

Here's my current list of major components—please let me know if I'm on the right track or missing anything:

Victron MultiPlus-II 48/10000/140-100 230V (single phase) – For inverting and managing power.

Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/200-MC4 – For the 4 larger arrays.

2x Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 – One for each of the smaller arrays.

Victron Cerbo GX MK2 – For system monitoring and control.

Victron Lynx Distributor – I'm unsure whether to go for the M8 version. As I understand it, this acts as a busbar to connect multiple batteries. I'm planning to start with two Gobel Power GP-SR1-PC200 16.5kWh batteries, with the option to expand to three or four later. They're competitively priced, and I could profit from exporting at peak times or charging overnight.

Victron Lynx Power In – Again, unsure about the M8 version. I'm still learning, but it seems to offer DC-side protection.

Victron Energy Meter ET112 1 phase 100A max – For monitoring energy usage.

For solar panels, I'm torn between:

JA Solar 595W N-Type Bifacial Double Glass Half-Cell-MBB

Aiko Stellar 1N+ 645W N-Type ABC – Aiko's marketing claims they're "shade-proof," which I'm sceptical about. I'm aiming for 18 panels in total.

For batteries:

2x Gobel Power GP-SR1-PC200 16.5kWh – These use EVE cells (same type/grade as those in EV battery modules) and offer great value.

Now, onto consumables—I'm still working out the details:

Cables:

Between batteries and busbar—not sure if 50mm², 70mm², or 90mm² is best.

Between inverter and busbar—same uncertainty.

From solar PVs to MPPTs—thinking 6mm² due to long runs from the house to the MPPTs.

MC4 connectors – For panel connections.

Lugs – For cable terminations.

DC isolators – One per MPPT, but should I have one per battery or just one for all? Better safe than sorry, so isolating everything might be wise.

AC isolator – Between inverter and house. Does the inverter have a decent built-in one, or should I add an external one?

Fuses – Should I include one per MPPT?

Surge protection – Is this recommended? If so, one per MPPT?

Bi-directional RCBO – For the AC side of the inverter.

Mounting rails for the sloped roof, flat roof, and vertical setup are a challenge I'll tackle later. Right now, I'm focused on getting the Victron setup sorted, as learning and specifying the right kit is taking up most of my time.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated—cheers!

#9

General / PVC Patches Services uk

Last post by kendallsmith - March 19, 2025, 07:01:18 AM

PVC Patches Services uk | https://www.bespokepatches.co.uk/pvc-rubber-patches offers custom, durable, and versatile emblems for uniforms, clothing, and accessories. These patches are highly customizable, available in various colors and shapes, and suitable for branding and promotional purposes.

#10

Heat Pumps / CAN/COULD HOT WATER AND SPACE ...

Last post by surd100 - February 08, 2025, 12:36:36 PM

Since most heat pump systems cycle most of the time, if domestic hot water (DHW) heating started when the space heating cycle part ends, the minimum flow/air temperature reached after DHW heating could be higher under many real conditions. Has anyone encountered this possibility? I find it hard to word this question clearly but I'll gladly respond to any queries.