Off Grid Solar Systems

Off Grid Solar Systems for Commercial and Residential Use in California and
Nationwide
Specializing in custom-designed off grid
solar systems that are crafted to exactly
meet your individual needs, Apex Solar
has more than a decade of experience
and focuses strongly on customer
service. Not only will you speak with a
real person when you call, but our
experienced, knowledgeable employees
can provide you with the information
you need to ensure your off grid solar
system is installed properly and
continues to run at peak performance for
years after.

With Apex Solar, you can expect:

Professional programming of the system

to ensure continued performance
Systems from 500 Watts to 10,000 Watts
and more
A five year warranty for workmanship in
addition to any manufacturers warranties
The option of sealed or wet batteries that provide one to four days of backup power
Ongoing customer service that extends far beyond the initial system design

Buying components and trying to fit them together can cost you more money in the long run.
With years of experience in just this type of application we can get it right the first time. So why
risk damage to your equipment or waste money on unnecessary repairs by trying to install an off
grid solar system on your own?
From solar modules to water pumps, inverters,
and other components, the experts at Apex
Solar can help you figure out which pieces
best fit your needs. We package the
components together so you know everything
will work properly. We can design and install
the entire system for clients in California, or

provide design and tech support if you are installing it yourself elsewhere.
Unlike companies that simply sell products, we have actual hands-on experience with our grid tie
and off grid solar components, allowing us to provide excellent tech support during the
installation and afterwards. In fact, all of our installers are either C10 (electrical contractors) or
C46 (solar contractors), making them exceptionally qualified to assess and install systems.
For more information on off grid solar power and it's benefits, including emergency power
during natural disasters, contact Apex Solar today. Our customized systems are available to
companies and homeowners nationwide.

How an Off Grid Solar System Works

OFF GRID refers to a power system that generates electricity such as a solar array. The energy
produced is stored in batteries and the energy system isn't connected to the utility power grid.
ON GRID refers to a energy power system that's connected to the utility power grid. In the case
of a solar energy system, excess power from the solar array, not used by the home/business is fed
into the utility grid and the utility meter records the power excess as a credit. This excess is then
used when solar power is not available. Batteries aren't needed in a on grid system.

GRID TIE WITH BATTERY BACKUP refers to a system that has all the advantages of both a
grid tie system and an off grid system. When utility grid power is available the system works just
like a standard grid tie system and sells excess power back to the utility. But unlike a standard
grid tie system, when the utility power fails the battery backup allows the solar array to continue
to supply the home with power during the day, and the batteries can supply select circuits within
the home during the night. Once the utility grid starts up again the system automatically switches
back to normal operation.

Off Grid Product Specials and Packages

Off Grid Family Home Package
This package includes everything youll need to go solar short of common electrical components
either you or your installer can get at your local hardware store.
NEW LOWER PRICE
1380 (DC watt) Off Grid Package $ 9,580.00

Start with 6 high quality

Trina Solar 230 watt
Panels

Add a Midnight power panel with an Outback VFX 3648 Inverter

Midnight power panel features:

Pre-wired to save time and money. All field wiring

connections are clearly labeled

Easily expands to accommodate additional inverters

Six slots for din rail breakers, PV, Wind, Hydro, AC distribution

500 amp 50 mv shunt for battery status monitoring systems

Pre-wired 50 amp 240 VAC inverter AC bypass switch

Pre-wired 50 amp 240 VAC AC Input disconnect

Bus bars for battery plus, battery minus and ground

Mounting hardware for inverter and charge controller

Snap in plastic conduit for AC, Mate and RTS wires

Mounting brackets for hanging E-Panel on wall

Heavy duty 175 amp AC distribution block

Cutouts for two GFCI outlets

DC Inverter battery breaker

Internal inverter cables

Outback Inverter features

1. Built to survive dust, bugs, even rain and salt air. Choice of sealed FX or bug-proof VFX
2. Smooth, true sinewave AC output waveform
3. Systems can grow with your needs - up to ten inverter/chargers can be stacked
4. Advanced charging algorithms provide fast recharging while increase battery life

Include the versatile Outback Flexmax60 and Mate Display

Outback FlexMax60 Features
1. The Flexmax60 is on the cutting edge of charge controller design.
2. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

3. A peak operating efficiency of 98% maximizes your PV arrays performance.

4. The Flexmax60s wide DC input range and 60 amp DC output current rating for 12, 24 or
48 VDC systems provides flexibility in the wiring as well as the sizing of your solar
array.
5. The ability to step-down a high voltage solar array to a low voltage battery can save you
money by reducing the size of wire required and making the installation simpler and
faster.

Outback Mate
This is a complete system controller and display. It provides a
display of the operation as well as allows control and adjustment of
the set points. The OutBack Mate can be mounted in any location
allowing monitoring and control from inside the home.

The balance of the system components included with this package are:

(4) Unirac 144" rail, light rails and L feet

Clamp set for modules
(8) L16 370 AHr deep cycle batteries - 6V flooded
(2) 63A 125VDC din rail mounted breaker (CBI)
One pair of 10-foot, 4/0 inverter to battery cables
(7) 2/0 Pre-made battery cables - 16"
(2) 50' MC cable assembly, male--->female
(9) Grounding lug, tin plated copper, outdoor rated
Note that we can add, eliminate or switch any of the components listed.

Need more information or want a different package? Request a quote.

Solar Power Kit for Cabin

Off Grid Cabin Package
This package includes everything youll need to go solar for a cabin or small house short of
common electrical components either you or your installer can get at your local hardware store.
This system is perfect for running a few lights, TV and the occasional appliance or water pump.
This system is also fully expandable and can handle up to 1000 watts of solar modules and a
large battery bank if needed.
NEW LOWER PRICE
370 (DC watt) Cabin Package $ 4989.00
Start with 2 high quality Trina Solar 185 watt MONO Panels

Add a Midnight power panel with an Outback VFX 3524 Inverter (3500 watts)

Midnight power panel features:

Pre-wired to save time and money. All field wiring

connections are clearly labeled

Easily expands to accommodate additional inverters

Six slots for din rail breakers, PV, Wind, Hydro, AC distribution

500 amp 50 mv shunt for battery status monitoring systems

Pre-wired 50 amp 240 VAC inverter AC bypass switch

Pre-wired 50 amp 240 VAC AC Input disconnect

Bus bars for battery plus, battery minus and ground

Mounting hardware for inverter and charge controller

Snap in plastic conduit for AC, Mate and RTS wires

Mounting brackets for hanging E-Panel on wall

Heavy duty 175 amp AC distribution block

Cutouts for two GFCI outlets

DC Inverter battery breaker

Internal inverter cables

Outback Inverter features:

1. Built to survive dust, bugs, even rain and salt air. Choice of sealed FX or bug-proof VFX
2. Smooth, true sinewave AC output waveform
3. Systems can grow with your needs - up to ten inverter/chargers can be stacked
4. Advanced charging algorithms provide fast recharging while increase battery life

Included is the Xantrex C40 Charge Controller and the Outback Mate
1.
Silent, pulse width modulated (PWM), high
efficiency operation
2. Three-stage battery charging (bulk, absorption, and
float)
3. When used as a solar charge controller, the C40 can
control 12, 24, or 48 Vdc array
4. Options
Plug-in battery temperature sensor for increased

charging precision
Cumulative amp-hour meter (CM) that can be installed on the face of the controller, or
remotely
(CM/R), up to 100 feet (30 m) away

We also include the OutBack MATE; this is a complete system controller and display. It
provides a display of the operation as well as allows control and adjustment of the set points. The
OutBack Mate can be mounted in any location allowing monitoring and control from inside the
home.

The balance of the system components included with this package are:

(4) Deka L16 370 AHr deep cycle batteries - 6V flooded

(2) 63A 125VDC din rail-mounted breaker
(1) 50 amp AC din rail mounted breaker
(2) 10-foot, 4/0 inverter to battery cables
(3) 2/0 Pre-made battery cables - 20"
(2) Grounding lug, tin-plated copper, outdoor rated
With just two modules we did not include a racking system. We can add a ground mount
tilt up rack for $450.00 or many customers choose to make their own.

Note that we can add, eliminate or switch any of the components listed.
Need more information or want a different package for your cabin? Request a quote.

Practical Off-Grid Energy Systems - Living off-grid is not a compromise, its a

change in lifestyle.
Here are a few points to consider when becoming your own power company. Living off-grid can
be practical and affordable if you make the best decisions regarding how to design both your
system and your lifestyle.
System Voltage
By definition, an off-grid system uses batteries. The number of batteries depends on the
amount of storage capacity that you need. The voltage of the battery bank is largely
determined by the system requirements. In general, inverters today accept 12, 24, or 48
volts nominal. Nominal means that although the voltage may drop below or rise above
this number, this is the base or the normal voltage for this system.
The system voltage you choose will be decided by how you use the inverter power and
the size of your off-grid system. Smaller cabin-sized systems often use 12 or 24 volts
due to the close proximity of the system components and the ability to use a smaller
battery bank. You also have the ability to run 12 volt DC loads. Larger systems use 24 or
48 volt inverters due to the better efficiency at the higher voltages and the higher output
capacity that the inverters can achieve. If you have a choice always opt for the higher
voltage systems due to the greater efficiency of these systems.
Pure Sine Wave Inverters vs. Modified Sine Wave Inverters
This can be a complicated subject, but lets get down to the important facts. A pure sine
wave inverter will produce electricity equal to or better than your utility company.
Modified sine wave inverters produce a wave-form thats not as smooth and some
appliances will not work correctly.
The way in which you use the power coming from your inverter determines which one to
use. If you use mostly lights, a television and a laptop computer, appliances such as these
really dont care about modified sine wave power. On the other hand, if you use a
desktop computer, dishwasher, clothes washer, plug-in power tools, hi-fi radio or
cordless phones, some of these appliances and others like these dont like modified sine
wave and will make noise or not work at all. My feeling is go with the pure sine wave
and you wont have to worry about what you plug in.
Lifestyle Changes That Help You Reduce the Size & Cost of Your Off-Grid System
The first law of any off-grid system is if its electric and produces heat its inefficient.
OK, so what do we mean by this? Think of a standard incandescent light bulb. Most of
the energy it uses is released not as light, but as heat. Electric heaters, electric stoves and
electric water heaters all use a greater energy factor than their gas equivalents. So use
natural gas (NG) or liquid propane (LP) to heat as much as possible.

Keeping cool off-grid is another issue that can be resolved with changes. First insulate
your home to the maximum your floors, walls and attic can accommodate. Use whole
house fans and room fans as your first choice for cooling. As a last step you can use an
air-conditioning window unit to cool just the rooms you will be in or a whole house AC
unit can be used but go for the most efficient unit available and cool just the areas of the
home where cooling is needed. Geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient all electric heating
and cooling systems available. Another option is an evaporative cooler which can be used in
drier
climates.
Lighting is an easy place to reduce power, but most people think that they just have the
spiral compact fluorescent lights as a choice. Today we have fluorescent bulbs to mimic any bulb
that you may have in your home. Also, the color choices of the light can replicate any of
the older incandescent bulbs.
The second law of an off-grid lifestyle is that its not the amount of power you use, its the
amount of time you plan on using it.
A perfect example of this is a 1500 watt microwave or a clothes iron. Both of these use
large amounts electricity to heat but because they are used for such short time periods, the
overall energy used is well within even a small off-grid systems capabilities. The standard
refrigerator uses just 50 watts of power per hour, but added up over 24 hours per
day, this number becomes a very large energy load.
Off-Grid Refrigerators: Propane vs. Electric
It used to be that the one compromise in an off-grid system was using a propane
refrigerator instead of an electric one. Not so anymore. Electric refrigerators have
increased the efficiency to the point where the extra money spent on a propane
refrigerator is better spent on a few extra solar panels. This saves the cost of paying for
propane gas for the life of the appliance and you actually come out ahead since the solar
panels are a one-time cost and the propane gas is on going.
Monitor Your Energy Use
Another important idea is to include instrumentation in your off-grid system design so that you
can measure and record your system's performance and your energy consumption. You might
decide to delay doing laundry on a cloudy day or take advantage of a bright sunny day to do
energy intensive tasks. An off-grid system will make you more aware of the weather.

If you would like more of this type of information read our past news letters and
sign up
Here's a link; previous newsletters

Learn from the Experience of Others

There are several case studies here in our website about off-grid system installations.

Off-Grid Residential Solar Power Case Study in Descanso, California

Off-Grid Solar Energy Case Study near Big Sur, California

Please Contact Apex Solar

Whether it's solar modules, water pumps or inverters, we'll help you through the confusion about
which components are right for you. We can package any solar system components so you can
be assured that everything will work together and we'll get you up and running.
We provide system design and installation.
We can also help you do it yourself.
Contact us for pricing on specific solar components; we carry all the major brands.
Solar power is still new for a lot of people so let us change that for you and answer those
questions and myths you may have heard about getting your power from the sun.
Want more information or pricing? Request a quote.