small solar system help

Discussion of all things technological and/or gadgety
User avatar
HTRN
Posts: 12397
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:05 am

Re: small solar system help

Post by HTRN »

I think ov installs average about 5-7 dollars a watt. Diy can probably get it down to half that. He needs to figure out what kind of load hes gonna put on there - a single 4 foot led strip light from costco running an hour or two, you can cobble something together with a 100-200 watt panel, charge controller, deepcycle battery, and 1000 watt inverter, doing the same with a half dozen 160watt high bays? Not so much.
HTRN, I would tell you that you are an evil fucker, but you probably get that a lot ~ Netpackrat

Describing what HTRN does as "antics" is like describing the wreck of the Titanic as "a minor boating incident" ~ First Shirt
User avatar
Frankingun
Posts: 1925
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:03 am

Re: small solar system help

Post by Frankingun »

Run a wire. And Pluto is and always will be a planet.
Buy ammunition and magazines.

You'll shoot your eye out!

Another blog.
User avatar
Weetabix
Posts: 6106
Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:04 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by Weetabix »

I know that Pluto identifies as a planet. Who am I to say otherwise?
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
rightisright
Posts: 4286
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:41 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by rightisright »

Grab one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Watts-Vol ... olar+panel

Add another panel or two, two deep cycle batteries and an inverter.
Precision
Posts: 5268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by Precision »

thanks guys.

Is it worth it to build panels from scratch for the savings or are the premade ones that much more durable reliable?

I am thinking getting 300 W of panels from DIY panels self assembled, then an inverter... and 2 deep cycle batteries run at 24 volt. But will plan out the system better once I get my stuff at home.

This will be a good test case for both he and I. He wants to build a bigger array later for SHTF and other items. Living on 10 acres surrounded by not a lot of residential makes it enticing for him.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
My little part of the blogosphere. http://blogletitburn.wordpress.com/
User avatar
Termite
Posts: 9003
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:32 am

Re: small solar system help

Post by Termite »

How far is it from the house to the shed?
"Life is a bitch. Shit happens. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Acknowledge it, and move on."
User avatar
George guy
Posts: 952
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:53 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by George guy »

My Virginal Estonian Maid Caught Jimbo Squatting Under Nan's Prickly Hedge Munching Eggs.

Covered all the known dwarf planets.
'Regulate' used to mean the opposite of 'constipate.'
Precision
Posts: 5268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by Precision »

Termite wrote:How far is it from the house to the shed?
from the box to the shed, 100 yds or so.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
My little part of the blogosphere. http://blogletitburn.wordpress.com/
User avatar
blackeagle603
Posts: 9770
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:13 am

Re: small solar system help

Post by blackeagle603 »

Run as a 12 or 24vdc RV setup?

Shop craiglist and ebay for stray panels. Surprisingly cheap can be found at times.

Battery and controller could turn out to be the largest expense.
"The Guncounter: More fun than a barrel of tattooed knife-fighting chain-smoking monkey butlers with drinking problems and excessive gambling debts!"

"The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic;" Justice Story
User avatar
Vonz90
Posts: 4731
Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:05 pm

Re: small solar system help

Post by Vonz90 »

My thoughts on PV (Keep in mind that I am an engineer on the NPV side, not a consulting engineer. However, we make a lot of components that go into PV systems, etc - mostly on the utility level rather than residential, but some of that too.) I do occasionally go vote on the NFPA stuff related to it too.

1. I am mostly not a fan, but it has it niches.
2. I would never put solar panels on any permanently occupied structure (like my house).
3. Putting it on remote or out buildings is probably okay (so your friend's application is potentially okay in my book).
4. Don't go too cheap, some of the crap from China and whatnot is dangerous IMHO.
5. Make sure you put an emergency disconnect that is well marked and accessible or the fire department will let your structure burn to the ground if the see solar panels on it (they may anyway, but at least you have a shot at them doing something.)
Post Reply