I think I will have a solar power system installed, even if it's just for backup. I'v lived here for 6.5 years permanently and in that short time I'v noticed more storms coming over. I already have deep cycle lead acid batteries but they are better batteries around and last longer. Lithium iron phosphate battery
Definitely the way to go ... we've got a dirty generator but a really great spot to install some panels - unfortunately we cannot sell the excess power to the grid where we are...
Try to get 140 AH batteries, John. They usually have a handle on each end to help move them. Varta are good. Always have good ventilation in the room / shed where they will stay as there can be a build up of gas that can explode. Also raise them onto a wooden plinth off the floor. Check the fluid levels in every cell regularly in a hot country as the liquid (electrolite) can evaporate over time. You can buy acid for the batteries but care is needed when tra.nsporting it. Distilled water can be used for topping up.
I would be concerned about the survivability of solar panel installations in a region prone to super typhoons, yes you could fix them in place pretty well but how to you protect them from flying debris during a 130mph storm. Personally I would want a 4 kw array and battery storage, you want your fridge and freezer secure at all times everything else is a luxury, I can live without TV and even without comms but a 4kw array in the Phils that's 16 panels at 250w would recharge a good set of batteries sufficiently to be able to run a fridge and freezer and keep the luxuries like light and computers and internet. We have two 8K arrays here at the office put in back in 2010 before the really high feed in tarrif expired, they paid for themselves over about 8 years so the company is 5 years into profit on those panels now. From memory 1 array of 8K cost £25,000 approx to install back then that was ex VAT as it's a business, they are a lot cheaper now but still quite expensive. We don't have battery storage here as the grid is very secure.
If I lived there I would put a strong wire cage over the array, the way trucks protect their light lenses from being hit by anything when the driver makes an error
You can get PV panels much bigger than 250 watts, 450 watts, some even bigger than that. There's plenty of house's with PV panels on the roof's over here not heard of any getting smashed. Getting the panels smashed during a typhoon you would be very unlucky.
Would not work, panels need full sun and no shade, a strong wire cage would restrict the sun getting to the panels.
You can get PV panels much bigger than 250 watts, 450 watts, some even bigger than that. There's plenty of house's with PV panels on the roof's over here not heard any getting smashed. Getting the panels smashed during a typhoon you would be very unlucky.
