Solar in the Pacific Northwest ..... Feasible ?

[Clan Graham]

Ok ... I have been beaten into submission by a friend, and eventually I will look into goingt ahead with Solar. So please help me with this ... Is it possible to assemble a system which can offer say 1500 watts under those cloudy grey skies , AND do it in a cost efficient way as well ? I KNOW NOTHING about Solar, but am reading all I can starting now. Thanks

 

[Reducto]

1500 watts is a really big number even under perfect conditions - how much area do you have to install panels? What do you need that much power for?

 

[Clan Graham]

1500 watts is a really big number even under perfect conditions - how much area do you have to install panels? What do you need that much power for?

Actually I do not know if I need that much power or not. I am clueless about Solar. I need enough power to use a 650 watt light bulb, and a ballast half of the day. I guess I may could step down to an all LED bulb of 400 watt equilivant if completely necessary.

 

[SternWake]

A 650 watt bulb. A had a closet once which used such a bulb, and a couple flourescents on the side. Bunch of ventilation too. It was both fun and rewarding yet the paranoia was a big detraction.

However I would not be trying to power such things via solar.
I would not ask the batteries to provide power for such a device, when the sun is not shining.

I think if you wish to pursue this you should see how much room you have on your rooftop.

See how many high wattage panels you can fit up there, and then price out charge controllers which can handle that much power. You're looking at thousands.

Will it be able to pay off, and if so, how soon?

Solar recharging is great, but some things it is just not really good for.

 

[Clan Graham]

A 650 watt bulb. A had a closet once which used such a bulb, and a couple flourescents on the side. Bunch of ventilation too. It was both fun and rewarding yet the paranoia was a big detraction.

However I would not be trying to power such things via solar.
I would not ask the batteries to provide power for such a device, when the sun is not shining.

I think if you wish to pursue this you should see how much room you have on your rooftop.

See how many high wattage panels you can fit up there, and then price out charge controllers which can handle that much power. You're looking at thousands.

Will it be able to pay off, and if so, how soon?

Solar recharging is great, but some things it is just not really good for.

Damn .... This may get the award of "thankfully straightforward" ! Thanks for setting me straight fast ! I will assemble the closet, after obtaining 110 v.