500 Watt off-grid kit solar power for the do-it-yourselfer
- 500 Watt Off-grid Solar Kit
- With 4 125 Watt solar panels, this off
grid kits produces up to 75 kWh/month. A complete off-grid solar kit that includes options for batteries, charge controller, connecting wires and more, you have the option of adding a 120 volt AC inverter at checkout. - Only: Buy Now
This system qualifies for a Federal Tax Credit of 30% of the installed cost!
- Product Details:
- Specifications:
- Videos:
- Documents:
500 watt top-of-pole mount off-grid Solar System
This 500 watt off-grid solar system is perfect for a small cabin or other off-grid power requirements. A complete DC power system with batter battery giving you from 4,800 to 9,600 watts of energy storage. This 500 watt off-grid kit can product up to 2,500 watt per day (STC) or 75 kW per month (STC). With four 125 watt solar panels, this off-grid solar system can be expanded with additional battery and solar panel options. The Morningstar charge controller is at the heart of this off-grid system includes a charge controller, wiring, breakers and a Midnite combiner box that will allow you to expand by two more solar panels when you are ready. Morningstar’s TriStar Controller is a three-function controller that provides reliable solar battery charging. MorningStar Charge Controller. MorningStar Remote Meter - This remote meter is provided with a mounting plate and 100 ft. of cable. Our 500 watt off-grid solar kit includes battery charge controller, monitor, top of pole rack and will supply you with clean controlled electrical power. Also included in your purchase price is a single line drawing showing how the kit is wired.
What's On the Truck:
- 4 - Mitsubishi MF125UE5N 125 Watt Solar Panels (equal or better) MC4
- 1 - IronRidge Top of Pole Mount UNI-TP/04A
- 4 - IronRidge XRS WEEB Ground Lug
- 4 - MC4 10 AWG - 30' cable extension
- 1 - MidNite MNPV6, 6 Position Combiner Box (4 Breakers Included)
- 4 - MNEPV-15 15 amp DC Breaker 150VDC DIN, 13mm
- 1 - MorningStar TriStar TS-45, 45 amp Charge Controller
- 1 - MorningStar Remote Meter
- 2 - 2/0 - 12" UL Cable, Battery Interconnect (Black)
- 2 - 2/0 - 12" UL Cable, Battery Interconnect (Red)
- 1 - 2/0 - 18" UL Cable, Battery Interconnect (Black)
- 1 - 2/0 - 18" UL Cable, Battery Interconnect (Red)
- 1 - Multi-Contact MC4 Unlocking Tool
- 3 - MC4 10 AWG-PV Wire - 30' Cable Extension
- 6 - 1/2" Strain Relief for #10 or #12 Wire (Single Hole)
- (Batteries NOT included in base kit, select from below)
500 Watt Off-Grid Solar Battery Options |
| Choose the off-grid battery option that best fits your needs. (Available at checkout) The size of the battery bank you choose depends on the amount of power you require (Watts), the amount of time each day you expect to run your appliances, equipment and lights, and your location or available sunlight. As a rule-of-thumb, when considering batteries for your 500W off-grid solar kit, use 3 days of autonomy (No Sun) as a minimum and 50% depth of discharge for your battery bank. |
| Battery Options | Volts | Watt Hours | # Batteries | Includes | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPG Battery Bank | 6VDC | 4,800 Watt Hours | 4 UPG 200 aH 6V AGM
 |
Cables + Free Shipping | ||
| UPG Battery Bank | 6VDC | 9,600 Watt Hours | 8 UPG 200 aH 6V AGM
|
Cables + Free Shipping | ||
| Outback EnergyCell 200RE | 12VDC | 9,600 Watt Hours | 4 Outback 200 aH AGM |
Cables + Free Shipping |
| Battery Enclosure Options | Specifications | Part # | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non Insulated Chest Style Enclosure | 28 x 38 x 20 8 - Grp 27 Type Batteries
|
BP8935162 |
Mechanical Data |
||
Dimensions |
||
| Depends on solar module orientation. | 10’-0” W x 6’-4” D. | W x D x H (Height is dependent on angle of panels and height of pole. Normal year round setting would be latitude.) |
| Ship Wt | Approximately 320 lbs (Batteries @ 65 lbs ea) | |
| Top of Pole Mount Rack (Pole Not Included) | Must be placed where there is no shading. | |
*Solar Panel |
||
| Mitsubishi MF125UE5N 125 Watt Solar Panels (*Equal or Better, Subject to Availability) | ||
| Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) | 21.8 Volts | |
| Maximum Operating Voltage (Vmp) | 17.3 Volts | |
| Short Circuit Current (Isc) | 7.9 Amps | |
| Maximum Power Current-IMP (A) | 7.23 Amps | |
| Maximum Power at STC (Pmax) | 125 Wp | |
| Maximum System Voltage | 600 VDC | |
| Short-circuit current temperature coefficient (Isc) | 5.02 x 10 -3 A/˚C | |
| Open-circuit voltage temperature coefficient (Voc) | –8.0 x 10 -2 V/˚C | |
| Peak power temperature coefficient | -4.47%/C | |
| Power tolerance | +10 / - 5% | |
| Weight | 29.8 lbs | |
| Surface Maximum Burden Weight | .28 lbs/sq. inch (30m/s, 200kg/sq.m) | |
| Front Glass | 0.13 inch tempered glass | |
| Junction Box Type | IP65 rated | |
| Dimensions | 58.9 x 26.5 | |
Inverter (OPTIONAL AT CHECKOUT) |
||
ExcelTech XP-1100 / 12VDC AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter |
||
| Input battery voltage range | 13.8 VDC | |
| Nominal AC output voltage | 120 VAC single phase (± 6%) | |
| Output frequency and accuracy | 60 Hz ± 0.1 Hz | |
| 1 msec surge current (amps AC) | Line-Neutral: 120, Line-Line: 70 | |
| 5 sec surge power (real watts) | 2200W | |
| 30 sec surge power (real watts) | 2200W | |
| Continuous power output at 25° C | 1100 VA (L-L) | |
| Maximum continuous input current | 107.8 A | |
| Inverter efficiency (peak) | 94% | |
| No load (120 VAC output, typical) | 1100 watts | |
| Waveform | Pure Sine Wave | |
| Charger Continuous output at 25° C | 60 ADC | |
| Input current at rated output (AC amps) | at 120 VAC | |
| Power factor | Greater Than 0.95 | |
Morningstar Tristar TS-45, 45 amp Charge Controller |
||
Xantrex C35 Charge Controller |
||
| Rated Solar, Load or Diversion Current | 35 Amps | |
| System Voltage | 12 - 24 Volts | |
Monitor |
||
Morningstar TRISTARMETER-2 |
||
| LED Display | Display shows inverter and battery status | |
| Four directional pushbuttons for easy navigation of display screens. Backlighting to enhance readability. Meter may be added during initial controller installation, added as an upgrade anytime in the future or connected temporarily for troubleshooting and then using this same meter at other sites. | ||
*AGM Batteries |
||
Battery Specifications (*Optional Batteries are subject to availability, equal or better) |
||
| Nominal Voltage | 6 Volts | |
| 20 - Hr. (10.0A) | 200 Ah | |
| Approximate Weight | 65 lbs Each | |
| Number of Batteries Included | Dependent upon option selection. | |
| Shelf Life | 3 Months 91%; 6 Months 82%; 12 Months 64% | |
| Temperature Dependency of Capacity (20 Hr) | 104 Deg F 102%; 77 Deg F 100%; 32 Deg F 85%; 5 Deg F 65% | |
Top of Pole Mount Ground Rack (Pole Not Included) |
||
IronRidge UNI-TP/04A Top of Pole Mount for 4 Panels |
||
| Pole Diameter | 6 inch (Requires a properly anchored schedule 40 pipe(Pipe Not Included)) | |
| Panels | IronRidge Pole Mounts are a very sturdy and straightforward pole mounting solution for small area solar needs. With user-adjustable tilt angle settings, the solar pole mounts they can be used in installations for a wide range of off-grid applications. Easy tilt adjustment ensures optimal alignment in a range of environments, year around. Heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant aluminum means long-term reliability and value. | |
General |
||
| Approximate Total Weight | 360 lbs | |
| Warranty | Rack 10 years, Solar Panels 20 years, Charge Controller 2 Years, Inverter 5 years (Optional at Checkout) | |
Off-Grid System Sizing Starts With a List of Equipment
The size of an off-grid solar electric system depends on the amount of power that is required (watts), the amount of time it is used (hours) and the amount of energy available from the sun in your area (sun-hours per day). A homeowner has control of the first two variables, while the third depends on location. We know we are preaching to the choir when we say conservation plays an important role in keeping down the cost of any solar system, but it plays a much bigger role in off-grid solar. To start the off-grid design process, we recommend you make a list of your lighting, refrigeration, major and small appliances and well as estimate in each case how long you usually use each one each day (Duty Hours). (Don't forget well pump if you intend to run it off the same set of batteries). Standard freezers and refrigerators can use 3000 watt hours each day. A few better models like Maytag MTB1956 18 cu ft can be found to use under 1500 watt hours a day, and cost around $900. Refrigeration cycle time is usually a function of efficiency, but also it is a function of how full the unit is, how often it is opened, and the outside temperature. Typically we use 10 hours as the duty hours for most refrigeration calculations. To illustrate the point, the daily energy use of a R10 high efficiency SunFrost refrigerator will use 13 amp-hours (170 watts) at 70 degrees, but 23 amp-hours (280 watts) at 90 degrees.
When considering the battery capacity needed, first look to more energy efficient appliances. Then we suggest you consider battery capacity (kWh or Ah) to be a minimum of twice the average daily solar electricity generation. For longest life, sealed maintenance-free batteries (VRLA, gelled electrolyte, AGM, etc.) should not be discharged to greater than 50% of their total capacity rating within a 24 hour period.
Minimum suggested battery capacity (kWh or Ah) is the largest battery bank size that the solar arraay can recharge from 50% depth-of-discharge (DOD) on an average day in December. When we design an off-grid or bimodal solar system when calculating battery capacity (kWh or Ah), we assume there is no other means of recharging the battery bank other than the solar system.
Here are some average home appliance wattages to help you get started on your list:
| Laptop | 50 - 65 Watts |
| Cell Phone | 5 Watts |
| Table lamp | 25 Watts |
| Inkjet Printer | 50 - 75 Watts |
| Clock Radio | 10 Watts |
| 13” CRT TV | 50 Watts |
| 20” LCD TV | 370 Watts |
| Table Lamp | 40 Watts |
| 8.8 cu. Ft. Freezer | 80 Watts |
| Sump Pump 1/2 HP | 500 Watts |
| Microwave | 1200 Watts |
| 18.8 cu. ft. Refrigerator | 600 Watts |
| Coffee Maker | 1000 Watts |
| Vacuum Cleaner | 1200 Watts |
| Washing Machine | 400 Watts |
| Well Pump 1 HP 240 V / 9.8 Amp Surge | 2352 Watts |
| Home Alarm Protection System | 15 Watts |
| Electric Hot Water Heater | 3800 Watts |
| Dishwasher | 1200 |
500 watt off-grid solar system remote living pre-packaged cabin farm ranch solar system
500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit Do-It-Yourself energy will keep the lights on while enjoying the freedom that only stand alone solar can give you. Do-it-yourself off-grid owners everywhere are discovering that installing a 500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit is no more difficult than some of the minor home maintenance that needs to be done. Blue Pacific Solar' team have designed and engineered these off-grid home solar energy kits to make taking the solar leap doable.
These days cabin owners are searching for ways to lower their expenses making our 500 watt off-grid solar kit perfect for that weekend escape. Our 500 watt off grid solar kit are expandable to any size you need. The 500 Watt off-grid solar kits qualify for the 30% federal tax credit. You can find out more by visiting the incentive tab located near the top of the page. The 30% federal tax credit allows you to deduct 30% of not only the total cost of the 500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit but also all other expenditures associated with the purchase. Cabin owners who purchase the 500 Watt off-grid solar kit may carry forward the excess credit to the following tax years. However, you should always consult your personal tax advisor.
Blue Pacific Solar has provided all of the main parts you will need for your 500 watt off-grid solar kit, but here are some additional items that your may need prior to installing your home panel system. Conduit, appropriately sized electrical wire, some fasteners and grounding rod and wire. Building and installing your own 500 Watt off-grid solar system is not only the smart choice for controlling your expenses, it may be on the most satisfying DIY projects you ever have undertaken.
NOTE, IMPORTANT 500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit INSTALLATION: (OK, here is the scary legal disclaimer.) It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that all products are installed and operated in accordance with local and national building codes as specific by the NEC (National Electric Code), UBC (Uniform Building Code) or IBC (International Building Code) and local utility company policy. These codes may vary from city to city and county to county. All off-grid solar installations should be permitted and inspected, where required, by the local inspection authority in the same manner as other equivalent electrical systems. One last thing. It is always a good idea to contract with a local licensed electrician to at least do the final electrical connection of your 500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit from the AC disconnect to your home utility breaker box. Some local permitting authorities require that a licensed electrician do all the wiring from the rack to the utility interconnect. If you need help with the permitting documents for your 500 Watt Off Grid Solar Kit package, we are here for you. Solar permit service add on is available at checkout.