Solar Independent Utility Systems Manual

Chapter 1) Refrigeration The best experiences I've had with refrigerators and the most long lasting cost effective models are the LP gas refrigerators (propane gas model refrigerators). They can run off of DC current that does not require an inverter and they are very long lasting. The reliability is outstanding from year to year. They run off of a mixture of ammonia and salt. The process is much like a regular refrigerator except it doesn't have chemical refrigerant that is harmful to the environment. They are highly reliable in the fact that they run off of 12 volt batteries that are recharged by solar panels and have been proven to operate year to year without fail. With proper battery maintenance and sufficient propane storage it has been the most reliable form of refrigeration that I have ever found. The issues that I have found are easily solved and are the following: 1) Out of propane. 2) Battery simply needs to be changed. If the propane is out simply refill, turn the unit off for 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. If the battery needs to be replaced simply turn the unit off, replace the battery, then turn the unit back on. The only major but, easily fixed issue happens in the coldest winter season which is that the ammonia/salt mixture can get a small clog of salt. This is easily fixed by tapping the back of the units heating coils to break up the salt clog. Periodiacally defrosting the unit is necessary when frost builds up in the freezer section of the cooling unit. The long lasting ability of the refrigerator is the basic equation of propane, battery reserve, and frost maintenance. With proper maintenance previously mentioned you can expect many decades of dependable refrigeration from your propane, solar powered 12 volt refrigerator. Some newer units require no pilot light which saves gas, is safer, and most efficient. The best part of your solar powered propane refrigerator is the fact that you will never again have to worry about undependable inflationary electric companies that have failed our society and have affected hundreds of millions of families over the past century. You should never trust anyone with the safety of your food except yourself. This is why your solar powered propane refrigerator is the number one most important part of your solar independent utility system. Chapter 24) Sending Your Power Back to the Grid. Sending your power back to the grid is best understood by understanding the megahertz. When the power comes in from the grid it comes in at 60 pulses per second (60 megahertz). When sending power onto the grid it is done in ever so slightly higher of an amount so that the power will flow backwards through the transformer back to the grid. The transformer on your electric pole does not need to be chaged or even any alterations do not need to be made, it is ready to accept power from the surplus power of your solar system. The only thing that needs to be done is to have the electric company place a meter that will run backwards, sometimes a dual metering system may be installed and you are ready to send your power onto the grid. Some electric companies will require a net metering which simply keeps track of the power that you send to them and the power that they send to you. No wires need to be changed from your electric box to your meter or anywhere else. An electrician simply needs to connect your grid-tie inverter from your PV to your electric box. It is just as simple as it sounds. The last time I talked to the electric company they wanted to have a $500.00 minimum production requirement and only give 50 cents on the dollar credit. In addition they wanted a contract signed and insurance instated with them listed as the beneficiary. So in my opinion what needs to be done is legislatively get rid of this nonsense and force them to accept the clean green energy of solar power. This will make your solar independent utility system not only more productive for you but, also will contribute to a greener society as well as the national electric grid.