Thinking about buying a small 100-200w Solar System for my Cabin

[Acrilyc]

Hi guys, it's my first post here. And for the record, I know nothing about solar panels.

Anyway. A few friends and I are build a small cabin on our land here in Florida. It's about 12'x15' and will be one room.

I just need enough power to have lights, a fan or two, maybe a heater in the winter, and possible a small min fridge.

I found this panel: RENOGY 100 Watt 100w Monocrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel Module 12V Battery Charging

It's 100 watts and is only $170.

I thought about his battery: Duralast/Marine battery

(I was told to get deep cycle)

I may even get two of the batteries, if the one solar panel can charge both batteries. Like I said, I know nothing about solar panels or systems.


As for the Controller, this seems to have good functions for our cabin. AGPtek® 30A Solar Panel Power Battery Charge Controller / Regulator 12V / 24V 30 Amp with PWM Type of Charging (Automatic Lighting Control + Time Functions)

Finally, the inverter: Power Bright PW400-12 Power Inverter 400 Watt 12 Volt DC To 110 Volt AC


The reason for this post is for me to simple know if this is a good setup. For one or two small lights, a mini fridge, and a small fan or two.

Any suggestions or feedback is welcomed. I came here to learn!

[SunEagle]

Before you start to purchase anything you will really need to know how much your electrcal load is in watt hours per day. From there you can calculate how big your solar panels need to be, battery size, battery charger and inverter.

The ones you are currently looking at are low end and will not get you what you want.

Check out this post concerning off grid battery sizing. It will get you started in the right direction.

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design

[Mike90250]

a 400w inverter has little chance of being able to start a fridge. Even small ones have a huge starting surge. You may also look into the efficiency choices of a small cheap fridge, vs a large (25cf) energy star fridge. You get 9x the fridge, for about the same energy consumption. But it costs a lot more too.

[Acrilyc]

Before you start to purchase anything you will really need to know how much your electrcal load is in watt hours per day. From there you can calculate how big your solar panels need to be, battery size, battery charger and inverter.

The ones you are currently looking at are low end and will not get you what you want.

Check out this post concerning off grid battery sizing. It will get you started in the right direction.

http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design

I'll take a look. Thanks.

I must also add that we are trying to spend the least amount of money possible. I'll check on estimating watt-hours and look at some more stuff.

a 400w inverter has little chance of being able to start a fridge. Even small ones have a huge starting surge. You may also look into the efficiency choices of a small cheap fridge, vs a large (25cf) energy star fridge. You get 9x the fridge, for about the same energy consumption. But it costs a lot more too.

There was a 1100 watt inverter that was ~$80 but I thought it'd be a waste. Would 1100 watts be good?

[SunEagle]

I'll take a look. Thanks.

I must also add that we are trying to spend the least amount of money possible. I'll check on estimating watt-hours and look at some more stuff.


There was a 1100 watt inverter that was ~$80 but I thought it'd be a waste. Would 1100 watts be good?

I can't help you with an inverter size until you determine what your electrical loads are. Since you are talking about a refrigerator you will probably need a pure sine wave inverter and not the ones you are looking at.

Final bit of advice. Most people believe that powering their equipment from solar will be easy and cheap. Neither is the correct answer. It takes a pretty big battery to run even small things like mini refrigerators. Go do the math and then come back with your questions.

[Acrilyc]

I suppose it may would be better to just buy a small generator.

We wouldn't need power all the time, we'd really only need it when we are at the cabin. Which would be maybe one or two times a week as most of us have jobs.

I will still research more on Solar power and how it works, but I don't think we'd need Solar power to run it all the time if we aren't going to be there most of the time.

Thank you everyone who helped me! I'm definitely interested in Solar power and will most likely be back sometime.