Solar and off the grid question...

[plongson]

I was thinking this would be a good place to pose this question. I suppose there are members that live off the grid or have experience in this area, so...



I am looking at getting a genset for my property that we vacation and recreate on (a cabin is in the future). It is off grid. I want a QUIET genset to backup my solar setup. I want a diesel (or perhaps a LP) unit somewhere between 10kW and 20kW. What units have you found that are REALLY quiet. I have researched several, including a Cummins/Onan, that advertise 71db at 7 meters.



Any thoughts or suggestions??



Paul...

 

[BarryG]

How about putting it in a small enclosure with sound deadening material on the inside. I suppose heat could become an issue but it is a genset so you could rig up an electric exhaust fan (like one you would use in an attic) to run while it is on and have the exhaust run out a stack through the roof. Just thinking out loud.

 

[JFaughn]

If you want a genset your looking at the best opp. until you get into very large industial , witch is what you close to with what your looking at , but for my money I'ld put in a smaller genset , 3k-5k and put the diff. in more solar equip. , in a properly enginiered system the genset is not to supply full power but to charge batteries when for what ever reason the solar can'nt [ maintance,long cloudy weather ??]. For info whitch there is very little out there , start here and link to till you have the power guys by the *&%$?.

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