Solar at Goldberry Grove: Powering Resilience, Not Just Panels

At Goldberry Grove, everything we do revolves around resilience—on the land, in our business, and in the systems that keep it all running. So when it came time to put solar on the barn, I took the same approach: cut through the fluff, understand the system inside and out, and build it for long-term independence.

The Plan: 17kW of DIY Solar

I returned to the drawing board after getting a sticker shock bid for an 11kW system with no batteries (priced nearly $15,000 more than my DIY setup). Here’s what I landed on:

• Inverter: EG4-18KPV
  • 18,000W PV input, 12,000W AC output
  • High-efficiency conversion, integrates with battery and solar
  • Included in the bundled battery cost
• Battery System (Bundled with Inverter):
  • EG4 PowerPro ESS (3 batteries in this system)
  • Capacity: 14.3–28.6 kWh, expandable
  • UL9540-certified, wall-mounted
  • Total cost: $16,185 (includes inverter)
• Solar Panels:
  • Aptos DNA-144-BF10-550W Bifacial Panels
  • 31 panels @ 550W each (up to 688W with bifacial gain)
  • Total capacity: 17.05kW
  • Cost: $6,820 (full pallet)

This setup gives me nearly twice the energy of the contractor’s plan, plus battery storage, for significantly less. But, as with any DIY project, there are gotchas.

Roof Considerations for the Barn

Mounting solar panels on a metal barn isn’t as simple as slapping them on a shingle roof. Here’s what I had to think through:

• Structural Integrity: Checked for rust, weak points, and load capacity.
• Mounting Hardware:
  • Using S-5 clamps to avoid roof penetrations (exact model TBD once I confirm the roof manufacturer).
  • Stainless steel or aluminum hardware to prevent corrosion.
• Bifacial Panel Optimization:
  • Light-colored roof? ✔️ (Already done.)
  • Gap for rear-side solar gain? ✔️
  • Enough airflow to keep panels cool? ✔️
• Thermal Expansion & Wind Load: Ensuring the system can flex with the metal roof.
• Grounding & Electrical Safety: Proper grounding, insulated cables, and weatherproof conduits.

Installation Plan

• Panel Layout:
  • 15 panels on the east side, 15 on the west (to balance morning/evening production)
  • Mounted with a gap for bifacial optimization
• Wiring:
  • Dropping two lines from the roof to the inverter
  • Hiring an electrician to validate the panel and wiring capacity
• Connection to House:
  • The barn has its breaker panel, which ties into the house panel.

The Costs Breakdown - MISC

Beyond the big-ticket items (panels, batteries, and inverter), there are a few additional costs:

• Clamps & Mounting Hardware: $6,200 (pending final clamp selection)
• High-quality wiring & grounding: ~$750
• Permits? My county in WV doesn’t seem to require them, but I’m double-checking at City Hall.

Why This Matters

I could’ve gone the easy route—paid a contractor, accepted the inflated price, and walked away with a smaller system and no real understanding of how it works. But that’s not how Goldberry Grove operates. Energy independence, like food sovereignty, means knowing how your systems function and being able to fix them when things go sideways.

This isn’t just about solar panels. It’s about resilience. Whether it takes an extra bit of work or a few unexpected hurdles, this system is getting built—on my terms.