What's new in the Second Edition of Off Grid Solar?

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS EDITION?

I've added about 25 more pages to the original book. There are new sections based on topics requested from my readers, such as:

  • Updated and new graphs and figures

  • More details on batteries

    • Improved pricing comparisons between Lead Acid and Lithium-Ion

    • Included new Battery Chemistries such as Zinc-Air and LTO

    • More details about choosing between NMC and LFP including the problems with Cobalt

    • More details about all types of BMS and their components

    • A new section on "Second life" or repurposing used battery cells

  • New Microgrid section

  • Expanded on Inverter details including efficiency differences, low power modes, and inverter active loads

  • Expanded on Generators including auto transfer switches

  • Improved Structural Design with more roof types

  • Improved Building and Electrical Code Compliance

  • Fixed typos and errors (sorry about that!)

    • Temp coefficient calculation for open circuit voltage

    • Battery voltage expectations for sealed vs. flooded

Announcing the Second Edition of Off Grid Solar Book

015-6x9-Book-Ereader-Mockup-COVERVAULT.jpg

I am delighted to announce that the second edition of my book Off Grid Solar is available now on Ingram Book Group. It is available and distributed to 39,000+ retailers (including Barnes & Noble and your local independent bookstore), libraries, schools, and universities.

The first edition was published at the end of 2016. In the past three years I have been working with more battery systems and building more complex energy storage systems. I have more in-depth knowledge solar and battery projects now and this knowledge was transferred into this next edition.

Support your local independent bookstore!

If it is not in stock, request Off Grid Solar by Joseph O'Connor, then they can order copies from their regular channels such as Ingram Book Group. Click here to find an independent bookstore new you!

What's new in this edition?

I've added about 25 more pages to the original book. There are new sections based on topics requested from my readers, such as:

  • Updated and new graphs and figures

  • More details on batteries

    • Improved pricing comparisons between Lead Acid and Lithium-Ion

    • Included new Battery Chemistries such as Zinc-Air and LTO

    • More details about choosing between NMC and LFP including the problems with Cobalt

    • More details about all types of BMS and their components

    • A new section on "Second life" or repurposing used battery cells

  • New Microgrid section

  • Expanded on Inverter details including efficiency differences, low power modes, and inverter active loads

  • Expanded on Generators including auto transfer switches

  • Improved Structural Design with more roof types

  • Improved Building and Electrical Code Compliance

  • Fixed typos and errors (sorry about that!)

    • Temp coefficient calculation for open circuit voltage

    • Battery voltage expectations for sealed vs. flooded

How to Build a Lithium-Ion Battery System for less than $400 per kWh

How to Build a Lithium-Ion Battery System for less than $400 per kWh

I have seen a lot of people on the internet repurposing old laptop batteries and batteries from electric vehicles. This is a great way to acquire low cost, high quality batteries, but it does require a lot of work to disassemble, test, and sort them. I think this will become a common method in the future because a battery that doesn’t work well for an electric vehicle might still be a good fit for a battery energy storage system (BESS), since the charge and discharge rates are so much lower in a BESS compared to an EV. Typically a BESS uses much lower power compared to an EV that needs to accelerate quickly.