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🏡 Off-Grid Power System Installation: Solar, Batteries & Hydro Restoration in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Join Leigh and the team from Off-Grid Installer as they take on a challenging project high in the mountains of Wales: installing a robust, sustainable, combined power system for an off-grid cottage!

This in-depth video documents the transformation of an outdated power setup into a modern, reliable system utilizing both solar and hydroelectric power.

🔋 Power Hub Construction & Installation

The project started with building a secure, weatherproof home for the energy equipment in a small, previously-used wood store:

• Battery System: Installation of six lithium batteries and an insulated battery box to protect them from the cold Welsh mountain climate.
• Electronics: Mounting of the main electronics, including the powerful 15kVA Victron Quattro Inverter (12,000 watts max output) and Lynx DC Distributors for fusing.
• Solar Charge Control: Installation of a large Victron RS 200 SmartSolar Charge Controller to manage the incoming power from the solar arrays.
• Hydro Integration: A specialized ACDC converter and a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 charge controller were added to seamlessly integrate the refurbished hydroelectric system into the battery bank.

🌊 Hydro System Repair & Refurbishment

The team tackled the existing, outdated hydroelectric setup to ensure reliable 24/7 power, especially during the cloudy winter months:

• Disassembly & Restoration: The old hydro system, including the alternator and cogwheel, was completely dismantled for refurbishment. The team replaced a worn-out bottom bearing and worked to release a seized centerpiece off the shaft.
• Pipework Overhaul: All leaky PVC pipework and gate valves were replaced to ensure maximum water pressure (a gauge showed 2 bar pressure).
• Reinstallation: The alternator, reassembled with new bearings and a belt drive, was reinstalled, along with new pipework, a new gate valve, and an AC isolator for safety.

☀️ Solar Array Installation on the Mountain Side

To maximize energy generation, Leigh installed multiple solar arrays on the south-east and south-south-west facing slopes:

• Ground Preparation: The hillside was cleared and leveled using a digger to prepare the area for the arrays.
• Framework: Giant ground screws were secured deep into the ground to create an extremely sturdy, adjustable solar mounting frame—essential for the challenging location.
• Panel Setup: Two main arrays were installed using 455W Ecosolar panels (with a 35-year expected lifespan):
  • Main Array: A larger array consisting of a single string of 10 panels.
  • Secondary Array: A smaller array with two strings of 6 panels.
• Final Connections: DC isolators were installed on the posts to allow safe power cut-off directly at the panel arrays, with armored cable running back to the main power hub.

The cottage owner, Nick, highlights that the combined system of solar (for sunny days) and hydro (for continuous power, especially when water is plentiful in winter) provides a truly sustainable and robust energy solution for their remote Welsh property.

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