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[[category:notes]][[category:plans]]Notes on putting together a [[solar power]] system on a low budget | [[category:notes]][[category:plans]]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: | It looks like a good starting strategy would be: | ||
# Get a medium-small [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422043_200422043 charge controller] (7A/150w, for 12v batteries - $30 + $6 s/h | # Get a medium-small [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422043_200422043 charge controller] (7A/150w, for 12v batteries - $30 + $6 s/h | ||
# Get a single unit of whatever delivers the most wattage per dollar -- currently [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200263174_200263174 this panel] (15w, on sale for $60, normally $100) ([http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422042_200422042 similar panel]) | # Get a single unit of whatever delivers the most wattage per dollar -- currently [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200263174_200263174 this panel] (15w, on sale for $60, normally $100) ([http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200422042_200422042 similar panel]) | ||
# Get a single '''deep cycle''' 12v battery | # Get a single '''deep cycle''' 12v battery | ||
# Dismantle a partly-working UPS to use as an inverter ( | # 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 [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328565_200328565 this kit] -- maybe the price works out better. | Compare [http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328565_200328565 this kit] -- maybe the price works out better. | ||
==Links== | |||
Useful documents: | Useful documents: | ||
* [http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/buyersguides/inverters/ buyers' guide: inverters] | * [http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/buyersguides/inverters/ buyers' guide: inverters] | ||
| Line 16: | Line 32: | ||
* [http://www.durhamsolarelectric.com/ Solar Solutions, Inc.], Page Rd. | * [http://www.durhamsolarelectric.com/ Solar Solutions, Inc.], Page Rd. | ||
* [http://www.skywardsolarpower.com/financing.php Skyward Solar Power], Hillsborough Rd. | * [http://www.skywardsolarpower.com/financing.php Skyward Solar Power], Hillsborough Rd. | ||
* [http://www.southern-energy.com/content/solar+panel+system+for+your+home+in+north+carolina+and+throughout+the+southeast/1324 Southern Energy]: they seem to overlook the battery-backup options... | |||
Online stores: | |||
* [http://www.northerntool.com/ Northern Tool] | |||
* [http://www.realgoods.com/home.do RealGoods] | |||
* [http://www.sunelec.com/sun-laminate-245-watts-3050-vmp-p-1590.html Sun Electronics] | |||
* [http://www.thesolarstore.com/index.php The Solar Store] | |||
Latest revision as of 02:07, 13 August 2011
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:
- Get a medium-small charge controller (7A/150w, for 12v batteries - $30 + $6 s/h
- Get a single unit of whatever delivers the most wattage per dollar -- currently this panel (15w, on sale for $60, normally $100) (similar panel)
- Get a single deep cycle 12v battery
- 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:
Local companies:
- Solar Solutions, Inc., Page Rd.
- Skyward Solar Power, Hillsborough Rd.
- Southern Energy: they seem to overlook the battery-backup options...
Online stores: