Finally, powering our homestead with the sun 

Dear Dutch Farmer, I'm an experienced electrical engineer from Germany, with a lot of experience in the field of PV systems. At least at what I saw in the RU-vid video, I noticed that the aluminium rack, on which you mounted the PV panels, doesn't seem to be grounded and doesn't seem to be connected to the Protective Earth (PE) conductor(s). In your case it seems that there is only one PV sting, with many PV panels connected in series. The total string voltage of such a string is usually at a voltage level which can be lethal for people. Therefore it's stipulated by electrical safety codes (all over the world) that the PV inverter (in this case a BUETTI inverter) is capable to monitor the insulation capacity of the PV string and that it's able to detect ground faults. This will only work, if the PV panels and the PV racks are properly connected to the Protective Earth (PE) conductor. It is very normal that the insulation of PV panels is ageing after a couple of year. This means that there might be dangerous touch voltages at the front or at the rear of a PV panel. Without having a proper connection to the Protective Earth Conductor, the insulation monitoring device, which is an essential safety component of the BLUETTI PV inverter, the BLUETTI PV inverter is not capable to detect such faulty insulation or gound faults. Please be aware fact that, in the case of one or more faulty panels, the front, the rear or the frame of a PV panel or the aluminium PV rack can be at a voltage level which might be dangerous or even lethal for people (and especially children). For safety reasons of electrical safety, it's very very important hat the PV panels and the PV stings are out of the reach of persons. Therefore all commectially used outdoor PV systems are surrounded by a fence! This is not just for the protection against burglars, this is an essential measure for electric safety. If you want to make sure that nobody gets a lethal electric shock (somewhere in the future), you should thoroughly consider to put a fence around your outdoor PV installation and to install a proper PE system and a proper grounding system. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm glad if I can help (to save people from electrocution). Best regards Holger

There's a new puppy! The farm is looking great, an inspiring video as normal, thank you 🙏💪

Moreno, the flashback pictures to when you first got the property compared to today is amazing to see! Your work ethic is second to none and your determination to learn along the way is encouraging for all of us trying to expand and maximize the resources of our own property. Looking forward to seeing more updates and progress reports on your property.

Would be nice to have an upstate on the swale system and the farm. It’s been a while! 😊

I learn a lot from this channel following silently you're definitely my mentor creating my off-grid homestead back here in Africa soon good luck good health and prosperity 🙏🙏🙏

Your homestead is looking amazing!

Brilliant addition to the homestead looking great ,thanks for sharing.

Might be worth considering removing the weed suppressor: having vegetation underneath the panels keeps them cooler and more efficient in the hot sun.

I watched all your videos, I learned a lot from your channel... watching here from Philippines

You are really a wonderful family ,happy to see your courageous journey to success .May god bless you all.

Extreme hard work and dedication for this transformation. Great achievement.

I sure did enjoy this video. You are an inspiration Moreno.

Amazing, congratulations!!

thank you for sharing!

Great job my friend.

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys, good work.

Inspirational video as always!

Pretty awesome. When I have my house, I want that too.

Nice spot…u guys do good work!

Another Swale update would be great, and some stats in water management. As usual I leave with a smile having watched a video. 🎉

U 2 did a good job. Conrats !

you can get a little leveling bubble that can clip straight onto your line always handy

great system that you will certainly enjoy more and more with summer coming. When you go into the winter again you will see production from solar go down to half the production of the summer. For those periods you might want to figure out out hw to connect your generator to the system to have some extra kWh’s. Or just swith the washer and or dryer to the generator when the battery is low. Depending on how low the sun gets where you are and how snowy it s, you might want to tilt the panels a bit more to the winter sun, so with a steeper angle to the ground.

This is absolutely amazing video and channel. ❤

Great ad thanks 🙏🏻

Mooi dat jullie dit samen met hulp al zo ver hebben kunnen aanleggen. Wij hebben hier in Nederland ook ons eigen systeem aangelegd met hulp van een paar ervaren mensen. Ook onze eigen accu er tussen, dat was niet zo gebruikelijk, maar dat wilden we wel graag.

Well done, the place looks amazing,,,🍀🎯🚀

I am so amazed what you and your wife have achieved.

Love your work ... Good job ... Nice ..

also a hint: make shure the MC4 connectors are dry so bind them UP below the framing of the panels = dry cable connectors, it will be interesting how the system performs in winter u might want to build a wind turbine as well

When I started watching the video I was in a heap of worry because I hadn't heard about the copper bar (for the discharge connection to earth). But, in the end I was rested!!! Ufa!!!

Great setup! I suggest some more clear (white would be best) gravel in front of the PV panels... it will add watts when you need them more... mornings and cloudy winter days.

Nice one 🎉🥰 seems Like you can start to build your House this year 🎉

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 So happy for you

Cool setup! Time to cut down that tree that will create shade when sun is low. Noticed in your app that the extension battery packs have not been installed. The bluettie allows another string of panels. If you setup a second string of panels in the future it would make sense to setup the panels for winter sun so you don’t have change angles for winter and summer time. If I were you I would directly invest in another 5 panels and the second winter setup string. Great Panels now only cost 70€ because China is flooding European market.

I love how your place is coming along, already looks soo productive! I love solar and have it at my place. Did I miss a new puppy video?

Great stuff guys. I was thinking the following: You can use the panels as well to collect the water that runs off during rain. Perhaps divert it into that swail? Or dig another swail, starting from the panels, going the other direction.

Yes!

Seeing an aluminum extrusion sticking out like that reminds me of working in a greenhouse, you might want to take a couple rags and use electric tape to secure the ends sticking out. You'd rather walk by and scrape a cloth then an aluminum extrusion.

Love the channel and thought I'd share a thought about something ive seen for the future. Ive seen folks start to mount their panels a few meters above the ground and the ground underneath can be used for sensitive plants that need protection from the direct sun/hail/harsh weather. Just an observation for the future.

MC4-Connectors are really simple to open, you just need the right tool for a few cents.

New puppy!!!

Solar system looks amazing. Just add 6 mm earth wire from your solar structure to your DB earth and earth of the inverter.. Then run cables in Flexi ducting lay it 400 mm below ground. Then it's safe for lighting strike.

It is all looking so organised! You and your family must be very proud! Do you plan for the kids to go to Portuguese Schools?? Is that far away?? Looking green and still soft earth! The shade from the panels will be good for summer greens (and the dog!)

Hey Dutch farmer, I'm going to say this in Dutch as is is Easyer for me Kleine tip: is zowel deze video als in andere valt me op dat als je dingen tilt of bijvoorbeeld op de kar verplaatst dat je dat vaak vanuit je rug doet. Je buigt je rug inplaats van door je benen te gaan. Dat voelt misschien comfortabeler dan door de knieën gaan maar op lange termijn beschadigd je daarmee sterk je ruggenwervels. Probeer als je zwaard dingen verplaatst dat vanuit de boven boven te doen met een holle rug. Door je bekken naar achteren te kantelen fikseer je je rug in een kom en kan er geen beweging inkomen. Je bovenbenen doen dan het lift werk. Niet alleen zijn die veel sterker van nature dan je rug spieren en slijten ook minder snel. Aanvullend hierop zou je ook moeten kijken naar lift riemen als je vaak zwaare stenen of beton gaat tillen. Dit wordt in veel opslagplaatsen en de bouw ook verplicht gesteld ter bescherming van je onderrug. Op deze manier voorkom je dat je rug snel kapot gaat. Succes verder de homestead ziet er erg goed uit.

Молодці!

how did you chose the location for the pannels? will they get bloked by any future swale or tree plans? do you have a layout of your property boundary and what your end goals might be for the property? id love to see it.

can you explaine why you chose that spot for the solar panels, did you do a solar analysis or land use planing?

Ik ben zojuist geabonneerd op jou kanaal vriend! Toffe lifestyle. Geniet ervan!

🙎🏻‍♀️🤨It's always "nice" when family and friends give you their vote of confidence when they tell you that you are "crazy" for wanting to do something challenging yet rewarding. It's a true testament as to how well they know what you are capable of.😏

❤❤❤❤❤

Very nice! How far are you from Castelo Branco?

That system is VASTLY simpler than ours - I guess itd true that in Europe the home solar systems are a lot more available.

Well done 👍 how much energy does this mini solar station may generate?

3:48 ❤🐶❤

would be interesting to know how you guys managed school for your children :)

The thing that concerns me and I have yet to see anyone address, is that it doesn't have an interface to see and adjust settings independent of a phone app. Internet and phones etc are not reliable. I hate things that run on a phone app. Kind of defeats the purpose of living off grid.

Khung cảnh thật đẹp 🎉

I wish some company would sponsor me with 14000 euro solar system. Looks great that Bluetti! Only downside is the app. In 10 years does it still exist for the phones we use then? Would be better with a simple panel with info, or having possibility to connect to Home automation system.

What is the total cost of a system like that minus labor to install?

Pourquoi êtes vous partis de France ? C'était compliqué le bio ? Merci à vous

I live in Cyprus and have a photo voltaic system to the grid. However the grid is getting overloaded with so much solar and I am looking to install a battery. What is the cost of the battery pack and is it Lithium based please.

I love farming. Is there any job opportunity

Is it me or you have a Serra de Estrela mountain dog? By the way nice video!😊

I would run those cables in a flexible conduit. The sun will break down the insulation of the cables.

Someday, it would be great to be introduced to your wife and family, when and if you feel comfortable! The homestead is looking amazing!

hey, just wanted to note that having one or two co2 fire extinguishers near these butteries is a good idea

Why such a high output? 20kw. Where do you use that much power?

💖

Hei I just love your home.

Hi Moreno. I’m looking for guidance on selecting the perfect piece of property in south of Portugal. Seeking for your contact details to agree on terms and conditions to work together. Thank you 🙏

Dear Dutch Farmer, in your RU-vid video you mentioned that the electrical connectors for the PV string cables are difficult to open. That is exactly how it’s supposed to be. … just because of considerations regarding electrical safety. If you have a alternating-current connector, like the 230 V AC types for household appliances, then it’s not dangerous to open the AC connector when it’s electrified or if a current flows through the 230 V AC connector. Disconnect a 230 V AC plug not be good for the 230 V AC plug/receptacle, but it’s not dangerous for people. With direct current it’s totally different. Direct-current connectors, in our case an MC4 connector for PV strings, special safety measures have to be considered! If you open a direct-current connector under load (when current flows), you will draw a long direct-current electric arc, and you can get an electric shock.! Important to know: NEVER open a PV connector as long as any DC current flows through the respective PV connector! To make sure that people don’t open MC4 connectors by accident, a special unlocking tool is needed, to unlock MC4 connectors. Before you unlock a PV connector (MC4 or other types), you always have to verify that there is no current flowing through the PV sting cables. But, first of all you have to switch off the PV input (MPP tracker) of the inverter. Then you have to verify that that no current flows in there respective PV string cable. This can be done with the help of a clamp-on ampere meter, which is suitable for PV strings. Keeping all this in mind, it’s easy to understand why PV panels, all the PV cables and the PV connectors need to be kept out of the reach of children (and adults without suitable knowledge in electric safety). A PV installation and all associated components have to be out of the reach of children. A PV installation has to be a no-go area for children (and stupid adults)! That’s why I recommended to put a proper fence around the site with the PV panels. Best regards Holger

What if there's a thunderstorm? Will that explode?

Is that a new dogo?

I’m not sure that it’s great to use the solar panels as a form of bracing the solar panel supports, I would prefer to use independent bracing bars to firm those aluminium panel supports.

A new puppy 🐶 ❤ can you guys adopt me too 😂

😃

👍🙏

L'autre jour, j'ai semé des oignons pour les semis.

Do your ogs chew on wires? Ours does. Nice job! 😅

😎👏🏾👏🏾💪🏾 peace

the small tree is in the wrong place now

Excuse me but when are you going to build a house? Or have I missed something.

👋👋👋👋👍👍👍👍

😟

Türkçe dil desteği lütfen

Jesus loves you!

Hello u probably won't read this but: if you NEED A REMOTE JOB LOOKING FOR A PYTHON DEVELOPER RIGHT NOW! ARE YOU IN? WOULD VISIT U THEN X-D

Bluetti let me down very badly. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone

this integration is sucks. sorry man

Jesus loves you!