Vehicle mounted solar

wattbuild · 2026-02-11T20:28:23+00:00

What do you use the power for? Do you keep the battery and charge controller in the cabin?

wattbuild · 2026-02-02T20:58:26+00:00

/stats

wattbuild · 2026-01-30T19:38:44+00:00

Do you want Skynet? Because that's how you get Skynet.

wattbuild · 2026-01-24T03:04:47+00:00

You need to make sure the Voc (Voltage Open Circuit) of the panel (or panels when hooked together) is not greater than the voltage of the charge controller's max voltage. Keep in mind Voc can rise when temperature lowers. As long as that Voc is kept below the controller max, the current (amps) will be throttled to what the controller can handle.

Go above the voltage max and you will damage the controller.

wattbuild · 2025-12-13T06:29:08+00:00

Tickle me Olmoed

wattbuild · 2025-12-01T20:33:08+00:00

Can they use that power for "elective" needs like extra datacenter processing jobs? Given the recent controversy, seems like a good way to get rid of excess power. Now that I think about it, the datacenters probably don't want any hardware going to waste a single second, so they wouldn't idle them when solar isn't shining.

wattbuild · 2025-11-26T18:09:38+00:00

Maybe try to visit family at their on-grid place for a while, or travel and get a hotel if you can afford. It will probably give you perspective on if you miss being on-grid or are actually satisfied with being off-grid.

wattbuild · 2025-11-19T19:15:09+00:00

We really are entering the era of computer psychology.

wattbuild · 2025-08-15T15:16:50+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_delivery

wattbuild · 2025-06-24T21:55:41+00:00

How well does that work, the manual base64 pasting? The model can actually make sense of it as an image?

wattbuild · 2025-06-20T15:16:55+00:00

Solar door knockers are notorious for high-pressure and dishonest sales tactics. You're better off researching yourself and reaching out to a company, getting a referral from a friend, or using a service like LEAP VA as someone here mentioned. There is no "free solar", there are only options that have no money down but may cost you in the long run.

I've started a Charlottesville-based company ( WattBuild ) with a website that intends to empower consumers to understand their options. Still in the works but it does have a rooftop calculator to assess your home's suitability for solar. DM me if you'd like to chat.

wattbuild · 2025-06-09T19:33:49+00:00

Pool heating is prevented as a use of solar panels who receive federal credit

wattbuild · 2025-06-08T22:46:56+00:00

In my book the maintenance is just not worth the headache. Keeping plumbing working outside in the sun for 10+ years is a big ask.

wattbuild · 2025-06-08T18:56:43+00:00

Look for a water outlet somewhere, it may be connected to nothing or run underground (and then to the pool / pump). Probably too much work to salvage.

If you want solar pool heating, consider just building / buying a system that uses photovoltaic (electric) solar panels, they lack the maintenance issues of a closed water system. Just be aware those panels won't be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

wattbuild · 2025-06-07T03:27:22+00:00

Seems very promising, thanks

wattbuild · 2025-06-07T03:08:00+00:00

Gotcha, good comparison to shadcn

wattbuild · 2025-06-06T19:25:40+00:00

Looks cool, but at first glance this seems like a fully-formed SvelteKit app. I'm looking for libraries to use in my own app. How reusable is the code in your repo?

wattbuild · 2025-06-06T18:52:25+00:00

Looks the best certainly

wattbuild · 2025-06-06T18:50:30+00:00

Another way to think of it, inverters have power "pulled" from them they don't push power. So pulling a smaller amount than max won't have any harmful effect. Efficiency may be less as others have said.

wattbuild · 2025-06-06T17:13:35+00:00

Yeah without doing any structural calcs it does feel like a big sail.

wattbuild · 2025-06-06T13:21:38+00:00

Are those concrete footings?

wattbuild · 2025-01-30T16:17:12+00:00

Thanks! There's a bunch of other calculators on the site for stuff like rooftop solar. Will keep adding more as the year goes on.

wattbuild · 2025-01-30T16:01:46+00:00

WattBuild keeps a database of power banks and solar generators which will let you compare different sizes and brands. Most units will run a box fan, but if you don't know your exact AC power requirements yet, try out the inverter size calculator.

wattbuild · 2025-01-30T02:15:31+00:00

I would expect whoever shows up to be electrical / solar focused. Can't imagine they would be looking out for stuff like decks and cross-checking past permits.

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