Energy
DIY Solar Power – Part 2
Learn to calculate how much electrical energy your solar panel must generate to run your home's solar power system.
RELATED: 8 Ways To Generate Electricity At Home
In this article:
Solar Power | Measuring the Power Solar Cells Produce
This article is the second in a three-part series on off-grid survival using solar power systems. In the first installment, I talked about how solar power works and the types of solar panels available.
In this article, I’ll share with you how to calculate the amount power from solar energy you’ll need to support your home or boat. For the third and final post, I’ll share how to mount and wire your new panels.
How Much Power Do Solar Cells Make?
Generally, we measure solar panels by wattage and that is how we buy them.
You can buy solar panels for boats as small as 10 watts to as large as 200 watts or even larger. But it is easier to understand when we convert watts to amperage.
We arrive at these values by multiplying the number of hours the panel spends in full sun (usually defined as 8 per day in Florida) times the panel’s wattage.
For a 195-watt solar panel, the output would be 195 x 8 hrs = 1,560 watts/day. Taking it a step further, 1,560 watts/12 volts = 130 amps per day.
Keep in mind that solar panels produce DC power which means that you will need a deep cycle battery bank to hold the charge. Batteries are rated by the amp hours they hold.
RELATED: 9 DIY Solar Power Projects For Survival And Self-Sufficiency
So What Is Needed in a Solar Panel Setup?
Obviously, one or more solar panels are necessary to make the system work. In addition, you will need:
- a large bank of deep cycle batteries, the bigger the bank the better
- an inverter, choose between pure sin or modified (to be discussed in another article)
- a controller
- proper wiring and fuses to wire the parts together.
Energy Consumption – A
My guiding principle on how many panels to buy is simple. Buy as many panels as your budget and mounting location will allow. You cannot have too many, but you should complete an energy audit to make sure you are buying enough for your needs.
Example, if you have 3 interior lights that draw 2 amps each and you leave them on for 24 hours per day, your consumption would be 3 x 2 x 4 = 24 AH/Day.
You can generally find the amp load for appliances on a label inside a door etc.
Read the full article on calculating your solar panel setup here on
preppingtosurvive.com
You should now have an overview of how to set up your solar panels at home. Next thing to do is decide whether you need something big to prepare for unforeseen disasters, or simply work with what limited budget you have for the time being.
Do you find the article helpful in your plans for installing a DIY solar power? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
UP NEXT:
- Choosing a Power Generator
- Alternative Energy: Get 1500 Watts of AC from Solar
- The Ultimate Bug Out Bag List For Every Survivalist
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 10, 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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Bell Weckwerth
October 1, 2012 at 7:41 AM
I’m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
bill
January 19, 2016 at 9:54 AM
should it be 3x2x24 hours.
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Clergylady
August 7, 2018 at 12:56 PM
I have solar powered motion activated light in the rooms where I keep my rabbits. In daytime shut the door to use the light. After dark just walk into the area and it comes on. Great light. Cheap. Solar panel mounted on the wall outside. Wirethrough a tiny hole in the wall sealed with a bit of silicone. Light mounted up high inside.
In my home we have the cheapest of solar path lights with wands removed and set in a clear glass on a kitchen windowsill. Makes a good night light and no need to turn on a light to get a drink.
Clergylady
August 7, 2018 at 1:13 PM
In my new home still being repaired and painted there is a path light laying on each window sill.
Later I plan to put them in a large clear glass bowl where my livingroom reading area/ guestroom will be. It will sit on a small desk I’m rebuilding. It can be set in a cabinet if dark is desired at night with light available as simply as opening the cabinet. Then set the bowl by the window in the morning.
We lived without electricity for most of a year. For several months we didn’t use our generator then a friend loaned us a refrigerator so we used a generator an hour or two each evening to run the refrigerator.
No power is easier than many think today.
Solar power, solar lights, many things are available today.
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