Info nn DIY First Time SOlar Project (Small Scale)

biznitch15

Hey guys, looking for some info or direction on how to get my hands dirty for the first time In Solar Electric. I was thinking of doing a small project nothing expensive (under $500) to get myself familiar with Solar and possibly down the road gradually doing bigger projects. Any Ideas of what i can do?

I've posted a couple of Threads on this forume recently and I'm getting some good info and learning new stuff, but since I'm not an electrician and dont know the Lingo, I would appreciate some help, Thanks!

icarus

Re: Info nn DIY First Time SOlar Project (Small Scale)

Find a panel, charge controller, msw inverter, perhaps on E-bay. Read all you can here and elsewhere. Plug it all in, and watch what happens. Couple it to a car battery to keep it up if it sits idle for a time, keep the lawn mower battery charged. Plug the inverter in, maybe run some outside led lights at night. Lotsa fun things to do.

I will warn you however, that playing with this stuff is addictive. I find myself looking around for other things I could add to my system that I don't need.

Good luck, and welcome to this world,

Tony

SolarJohn

Re: Info nn DIY First Time SOlar Project (Small Scale)

Plan for expansion. Choose the components carefully, in a way that you can easily enlarge your system. Once you get started, you'll want "more power". You might consider increasing your budget just a little. You'll get more watts for the $ with larger solar panels.


I've listed my goals, and calculated how to enlarge my system in order to accomplish them. I expand as my budget allows. My goals include providing emergency power in various weather conditions, and to reduce my utility bills.

biznitch15

Re: Info on DIY First Time Solar Project (Small Scale)

Nice Ideas Guys, This should of been the first question i asked when i first joined the Forum, I will definately plan to Expand!!

So lets say, I want to have a battery for my first project, what are the basic components to get everything working? Let's say i want to power up a 65watt light throughout the night?

BB.

Re: Info nn DIY First Time SOlar Project (Small Scale)

65watts * 10 hours = 750 watt*hours or 0.75 kWhrs...

At $0.10 per kWhr, $0.075 per night...

Using Off-Grid solar, probably closer to $0.75-$1.00 per night (capital costs + battery replacements / [25 year life * # of kWhrs per 25 years]).

Will require something like $1,500 of solar panels (~350 watts at $5 per watt) just to power the one 65 light, excluding battery--another couple hundred dollars, solar charge controller, inverter, etc.

Use a 13 watt CFL security light, pay about 1/6 the amount of money (much smaller solar system required to power smaller light)...

-Bill