Solar system for cabin

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Have a small cabin in the woods away from power grid. Need suggestions on what kind of solar system i would need. Plan to use a computer, six 13 watt flouresent lights, and 20'' tv, maybe four hours per day. Thanks!!
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Solar system for cabin

    You need to add up your usage first.

    16 watts x 4 hours = 64 watt hours For 1 light at 4 hours. x 6 lights = 384 watt hours total
    ( That's a LOT of light, 6 bulbs )

    20" TV @ 200Watts x 4 hrs = 800 Watt hours
    (guessing at 200W for a 20" TV, what's the nameplate on the back say it drews?)

    Laptop PC @ 80watts x 4 hours = 320 watt hours

    So, per your request, you consume 1,504 watt hours or roughly, 1.5 KWH

    That's going to be a fair size Solar Array, and battery bank to store it. Are you going to use daily, or just on weekends, and let it recharge for a few days between uses ?
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Solar system for cabin

    hecleo,

    We need general info about your cabin's location, and we need to have an idea about you planned use pattern. For example, will you use the cabin three days / week in the winter and up to seven days / week in the summer?

    If possible, please select a location from this list: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/sum2/state.html

    You may need to look for a location in a adjacent state if you're near a state line.

    Also, tell us more about the "...in the woods" part. PV modules aren't particulalrly effective when they're shaded, even partially...

    More later...
    Jim / crewzer
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