Solar power

Notes on putting together a solar power system on a low budget

Goals

• Need really substantial battery backup for when the mains go out
• Need to be able to keep power going when mains are out for extended period by charging batteries
• Minimizing regular expenses, wherever possible

Solutions

• continuous AC-to-battery-to-AC setup
  • keeps power continuous
  • allows charging from essentially any source, including:
    • Existing gasoline-powered portable generator
    • Solar panels

We have no solar panels yet, but they are worth adding to the system once there are batteries because they:

• are silent and have no emissions
• can be set up incrementally as budget permits
• do not cost anything to operate
• can be left "on" to help lower power bills when mains are on (because of the above points)

Strategy

It looks like a good starting strategy would be:

1. Get a medium-small charge controller (7A/150w, for 12v batteries - $30 + $6 s/h
2. Get a single unit of whatever delivers the most wattage per dollar -- currently this panel (15w, on sale for $60, normally $100) (similar panel)
3. Get a single deep cycle 12v battery
4. Dismantle a partly-working UPS to use as an inverter (bank these to provide more wattage as batteries are added; eventually switch to purpose-designed units)

Compare this kit -- maybe the price works out better.

Links

Useful documents:

• buyers' guide: inverters
• buyer's guide: solar power

Local companies:

• Solar Solutions, Inc., Page Rd.
• Skyward Solar Power, Hillsborough Rd.
• Southern Energy: they seem to overlook the battery-backup options...

Online stores:

• Northern Tool
• RealGoods
• Sun Electronics
• The Solar Store