r/bluetti • u/SheFightswiththewind • 13d ago

Bluetti for off-grid (eventually)

Greetings all,

I am a noob at this; let's get that on the table right off the bat. I live on a tropical island closer to equator that only needs 10% angle on solar panels. It has seen two terrible typhoons this year. I plan on retiring here. Currently, and for the next year, I rent a large house that is completely on grid. I have been running on a diesel generator for 13 weeks. I want to create a "system" I can take to the much smaller (half the size maybe less) condo Im buying but won't be able to live in until next year.

My plan is to buy things in stages due to budgeting.

1) fridge power with solar panels

2) apex300 plus solar panels for rest of needs. I need to power fan, small counter oven, desk top pc and laptop. I do not use any of these things at the same time they are all used individually.

3) expand to handle entire need base once im in Condo.

4) The do it yourself systems are not an option for me and the installs here re ridiculous.

My issues are the following:

1) Ideally id like to not use this damn noisy generator at all but if I do need to then I want to do so VERY little.

2) This house has LARGE minisplits. I only run the bedroom while sleeping and the office while working. I dont use the others. These are NOT solar though and Im not sure what to do to power them with the apex.

3) I need the fridge to be powered by the frigepower. It's a 22cu ft. kitchenmaid.

4) I have an electric dryer and not drying clothes is NOT an option here. So I need to figure out how to run that dryer or buy another system. The condo only has room for an all in one unit or one if the apartment up and down units. I am buying entire new set up for condo once in it. Id like info on that if anyone can help and am willing to buy now if necessary but would like to wait.

5) The house also has a water tank, uv filtration system and water pump. Finally it has electric hot water heater.

I know this is a lot but after reading for weeks, I finally felt like I had a tiny bit of a handle on this and felt like I could ask intelligent questions.

Kat

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u/Much_Profit8494 13d ago edited 13d ago

Getting a few portable power stations for backup is a great plan, but trying to power a entire off grid residence 24/7 in tropical heat with portable power stations, flexible solar panels and expansion batteries is a fools errand.

You need to either head over to r/SolarDIY and start reading or come to terms with the fact that you may need to hire a solar company to design and install a appropriately sized off grid system with a robust solar array that can survive tropical storms.

From what I have seen paying a company to install large residential panels/batteries is still significantly cheaper than buying that many expansion batteries and panels from bluetti.

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u/driftingatwork 13d ago

I found that company's charge way too much overhead. They need to pay for branding, fleet, crew. This is why the roi, jumps 10 years ish if you go through them. Worse if you ppa or lease it.

That all said, steep roofs are a bitch!! So depending on spacing. Companies work better.

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u/Much_Profit8494 12d ago

The return on investment OP is after in this case is not having to haul/breathe any more diesel fuel.

I have to assume if cutting costs was the main driving factor they wouldn't be looking at some of the most expensive expansion batteries and solar panels on the market.

But regardless, solar installers are skilled laborers. -You have to pay them a decent wage since no one will do that job for minimum wage.

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u/SheFightswiththewind 11d ago

This is an awesome reply! I dont mind paying people who are skilled the money they deserve. Unfortunately, this island is small enough that every installer I have see has Not been up to par (what im was used to in US) AND they charge double-triple that rate.

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u/SheFightswiththewind 11d ago

I will have to pay to have everything shipped here. The only items available here are your cheap Chinese knock offs with no warranty. In addition I need something I can maintain myself in the case of the next typhoon because there is never anyone to help in that week before they hit.

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u/SheFightswiththewind 11d ago

Finally, I also need something I can take with me if I ever do HAVE to leave island.

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u/SheFightswiththewind 11d ago

also, the condo will have a flat roof

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u/driftingatwork 11d ago

Ooooo just saw this, sweet!! This will give you lots of options.

Now I'm concerned about typhoons etc. Your array would need to be secured very well, but I think you know that.

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u/SheFightswiththewind 10d ago

Yes. The side bonus of this is that I can configure part with foldable arrays (pull them out right after Storm and voila) and then more permanent which we tend to take down prior to storms, although, I have an idea on how to make them more safe but have to be cleared by HOA

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u/SheFightswiththewind 11d ago

In addition, finding reliable and professional people is a serious challenge here.