New to this forum, but not new to solar (have been on and off-grid since 1980s). I'm building a small workshop that will be off-grid and looking for advice/confirmation that I'm on the right track with a solar system. Usage will be perhaps once a week a small heater in winter (350W x 2 hours) plus occasional LED lighting (very low usage) and occasional power tools. Tool usage will be restricted to benchtop drill press, small bandsaw, and shop vac. None of these would be operated more than maybe 15-20 minutes/day, and not every day.
My proposed system would be a single ~300W 12V panel with charge controller serving 3, ~100Ah 12V batteries. On the output end, I'm thinking a 1500W/3000W surge square wave inverter, since there will be no sensitive electronics in the system. I would expect the biggest draw and surge demand will be the shop vac. Location in western CO, average daily sun hours ~5.5 and no obstructions/trees etc. The goal is to never let the system get below ~20-25% DoD. I will have a gasoline generator to use if/when necessary but hope to only require it maybe once or twice a year.
So I'm looking for input on whether this system sounds reasonable to do what I want. Specifically, I would be interested in any input on panels, batteries (I'm planning AGM for ease of maintenance), charge controller, and inverter from those of you who have dealt with these things recently and/or regularly. Is there any reason to go to a pure sine wave inverter? Smaller or larger capacity? More batteries? Like most, I'm trying to keep costs in line.
Thanks,
Atlin
My proposed system would be a single ~300W 12V panel with charge controller serving 3, ~100Ah 12V batteries. On the output end, I'm thinking a 1500W/3000W surge square wave inverter, since there will be no sensitive electronics in the system. I would expect the biggest draw and surge demand will be the shop vac. Location in western CO, average daily sun hours ~5.5 and no obstructions/trees etc. The goal is to never let the system get below ~20-25% DoD. I will have a gasoline generator to use if/when necessary but hope to only require it maybe once or twice a year.
So I'm looking for input on whether this system sounds reasonable to do what I want. Specifically, I would be interested in any input on panels, batteries (I'm planning AGM for ease of maintenance), charge controller, and inverter from those of you who have dealt with these things recently and/or regularly. Is there any reason to go to a pure sine wave inverter? Smaller or larger capacity? More batteries? Like most, I'm trying to keep costs in line.
Thanks,
Atlin
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