At Red Lake Valley Regenerative Homestead we are committed to harnessing solar energy through our advanced photovoltaic (PV) solar generation system, also known as “active solar.” Our system efficiently converts sunlight into electricity, drastically reducing our reliance on external power sources.
System Overview
Our PV solar system was installed in two phases:
- Phase One: We began with the installation of 12 high-efficiency 365-watt monocrystalline solar panels, utilizing Bluetti batteries and inverters for temporary energy storage.
- Phase Two: Two years later we expanded our system by adding 36 400-watt bi-facial monocrystalline solar panels, bringing our total to 48 panels with a maximum capacity of just under 19 kW. Bifacial panels collect sunlight from both sides of the panel – both the side facing the sun and the side facing the ground, capturing the sun’s energy that reflects off surfaces beneath the panels.
This comprehensive setup features a storage capacity of 27 kWh, sufficient to power all our domestic electrical needs, including our two electric vehicles.
Sustainable Living Goals
Our vision for this robust solar system is to achieve energy self-sufficiency by utilizing the energy generated on our land, eliminating reliance on external power sources that require expensive and vulnerable infrastructure, and often use ancient fuels for electricity generation.
While our system primarily operates independently, it is also a hybrid setup, connected to the grid as a backup. This grid tie-in not only ensures a secondary power source, if needed, but also allows any excess energy we produce to flow back into the local grid. This feature is particularly beneficial for stabilizing the electrical infrastructure in our neighborhood, which often experiences outages, especially during colder months.
By investing in our photovoltaic solar generation system, we are taking a proactive step towards living sustainably and contributing positively to our community’s energy resilience.
