solar electricity for green house

[corl]

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

[PD-Riverman]

I have several solar arrays that I use remotely, move the biggest one where ever I want it etc. Here is a picture of the biggest and the smallest.



This array is 2160 watts. I use it to run my off grid camper when camping, water pump, fan for the rabbits in the summer, drilling, sawing---any thing that I need electricity for at my remote camp site. It keeps 14 6 volt golf cart batteries charged. These batteries are on two small trailers, 8 on one and 6 on the other. Example---I hooked my golf cart to the trailer with 6 batteries and pulled it to my garden where I was going to remodel a 8x18ft building, add a bathroom and a shed on the front to park my tractor under. I hooked a inverter to the batteries and run my saw, drill etc. Did all my cutting etc without having to recharge the batteries. When I finished it pulled the battery trailer to the big solar array to recharge. I have a medium size array that is 1400 watts.



The small one is a harbor Freight 45 watt kit that I have hooked to 2 6 volt golf cart batteries at my chicken house. It runs the automatic doors and runs a light for 2 to 3 hours before day light for the chickens. My chicken house is about 1/2 mile from electricity. I have 2 more 45 watt kits that I use one to run a pump on my aquaponic garden---when I got it going. I use another 45 watt kit for my remote tractor shed just for a little light at night if I need it and also for a little electricity to run a fan or drill for a little while.

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

[tuttimato]

How did you decide the brand, size and type of batteries?  What's the advantage of golf cart 6 volts over deep cycle marine 12 volts?  I'm going to get some panels for a small system soon and still need to figure out the batteries.  Did you build an insulated battery box?

[PD-Riverman]

I copied this from Trojan's site """The most important characteristic to consider when purchasing a deep-cycle battery for a renewable energy application is cycle life. This is usually measured as the number of discharge/charge cycles the battery can provide before its capacity drops to a specified percentage of its rated capacity (i.e. 50%). Batteries from different manufacturers may have the same capacity and energy content and be similar in weight, but design, materials, process, experience and quality control have a big influence on how long the battery will cycle. When comparing two batteries of equal Ah capacity and cost, a battery capable of 1,000 cycles is effectively half the total life cost of one that is only capable of 500 cycles."""

I have tried the deepcycle batteries for trolling motors etc----they will not last if they are used alot. I have 6 volt Trojan golf cart batteries that are several years old and still going strong. I have tried 2 other cheaper brands of golf cart batteries and they will not last like Trojans. As far as solar panels there are alot of names, what made me go with Kyocera---the ones I got on my big array was finding them slightly used for less than 1/2 the price of new. Keep in mind that the Trojan T-105 batteries like I got are concidered almost bottom of the line for batteries for a solar set up. The L-16's would be a better choice but still not top of the line by a long shot. I have my batteries in plastic tool boxes but they are not insulated. I am no Solar Pro by no means---I like you were interested in getting some solar panels and kept my eyes open a few years back until I found some good used panels at a Real good deal.

Size of your set-up would be according to what your wattage needs would be. Don't go Buying solar panels with the thought that it will save you alot of money in the long run------and you can call your electric company to disconnect you. It is cheaper to stay hooked to the power company if you are going to have a couple hundred a month light bill. If you need a little electricity like I did for my chicken pen----sure it will save money over paying the power company $1000's to run power to my chicken coop-----LOL.

How did you decide the brand, size and type of batteries?  What's the advantage of golf cart 6 volts over deep cycle marine 12 volts?  I'm going to get some panels for a small system soon and still need to figure out the batteries.  Did you build an insulated battery box?

[tuttimato]

Thanks for the good info.  I'm looking to have a backup for charging my computer, phone, running a fan, and most of all to charge my power wheel chairs which use two 12 volt deep cycle batteries.  I see it as a lifeline and peace of mind.  My house is total electric and the annual bill is only about $1350.  I'd love a whole house system but I doubt that will make financial sense anytime soon.  You got a killer deal but I doubt I'll be so lucky.  I've been holding off for prices to come down and to find the sweet spot between prices and the possibility of inflation setting in.  I think it's about time to do it.  I read that installed solar wattage doubled in the US last year and growing even faster globally. 

[James150]

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

How old is that system?  With 18 panels these days you can generate more than 4KW . . .enough for frugal people power an entire house.  I like how you have made them portable.

Jim

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks for the good info.   My house is total electric and the annual bill is only about $1350.  I'd love a whole house system but I doubt that will make financial sense anytime soon. I've been holding off for prices to come down and to find the sweet spot between prices and the possibility of inflation setting in.  I think it's about time to do it.  

Well Doing a quick figuring for your $1350 yearly bill and figuring it with a slight more than you are using(for those cloudy days) you need a 10,000 watt system. Not going with the cheapest panels you should be able to get a decent set of panels and inverters for $25,000 of course that is not installed or racks or batteries. Lets say you get a decent set of batteries for---around $5000, now you got to get them shipped plus some racks for them as well as some wires connectors etc etc. Probably in the $35,000 range now with you doing all the installing. Lets figure replacing them batteries 2 times in 25 years---to make it easy to figure lets figure $5000 per time x 2= $10,000, Now we are up to $45,000. You will have to clean, check on the batteries often so there will be labor involved over the 25 years, but you can donate the labor---LOL. Now if we take the $45,000 and divide it by 25 years it comes to only $1800 per year. Now sure you might cut some here and there and save some on your system. Shoot you could build a nice solar hot water system and cut alot off these figures. You could get a wood heater for heat and cooking and cut alot more off this system. If you plan to stay Totally Electric and don't cut your usage Alot---It will be Cheaper to Stay on Grid.

[PD-Riverman]

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

How old is that system?  With 18 panels these days you can generate more than 4KW . . .enough for frugal people power an entire house.  I like how you have made them portable.

Jim

The panels are around 10 years old now. They are 120 watt panels. Yea I bought that old rusty trailer for $100---wish I had or cleaned it up and painted it. Can you see what those panels are mounted to in the above picture?---LOL

Shoot I will show you.
Also found a good deal on some alum ladders. The trailer is balanced and moves very easy.

[PD-Riverman]

This is the back side of the panel trailer and the charge controllers/wire hook up.




Keep in mind I am No Pro at this. Just wanted some solar panels. I will set this trailer next to my Cabin when I get around to building it. You can see one of my little battery trailers being charged in the picture but when I get the Cabin built I will set up some batteries in a room attached to the Cabin. My cabin will be built in the shade of the trees so the panels would be to shaded to put on the roof.

[James150]

Thanks for the good info.   My house is total electric and the annual bill is only about $1350.  I'd love a whole house system but I doubt that will make financial sense anytime soon. I've been holding off for prices to come down and to find the sweet spot between prices and the possibility of inflation setting in.  I think it's about time to do it.  

Well Doing a quick figuring for your $1350 yearly bill and figuring it with a slight more than you are using(for those cloudy days) you need a 10,000 watt system. Not going with the cheapest panels you should be able to get a decent set of panels and inverters for $25,000 of course that is not installed or racks or batteries. Lets say you get a decent set of batteries for---around $5000, now you got to get them shipped plus some racks for them as well as some wires connectors etc etc. Probably in the $35,000 range now with you doing all the installing. Lets figure replacing them batteries 2 times in 25 years---to make it easy to figure lets figure $5000 per time x 2= $10,000, Now we are up to $45,000. You will have to clean, check on the batteries often so there will be labor involved over the 25 years, but you can donate the labor---LOL. Now if we take the $45,000 and divide it by 25 years it comes to only $1800 per year. Now sure you might cut some here and there and save some on your system. Shoot you could build a nice solar hot water system and cut alot off these figures. You could get a wood heater for heat and cooking and cut alot more off this system. If you plan to stay Totally Electric and don't cut your usage Alot---It will be Cheaper to Stay on Grid.

We are doing a whole house system on our new house in AZ . . .at least 10 KW.  What you did not figure into your calculations is the incentives and tax credits.  Our system produces excess power (the company allows you to size up to 125% of your usage).  They buy the excess for 16cents per KW.  With all the incentives etc our 10 KW system would cost (installed) about $11,000 and we will get a check from the power company each month for 10 years for about 250$.  Not a bad deal.  So, when you look into solar system cost you need to figure out everything . . .it's very attractive financially right now.

Jim

[PD-Riverman]

We are doing a whole house system on our new house in AZ . . .at least 10 KW.  What you did not figure into your calculations is the incentives and tax credits.  Our system produces excess power (the company allows you to size up to 125% of your usage).  They buy the excess for 16cents per KW.  With all the incentives etc our 10 KW system would cost (installed) about $11,000 and we will get a check from the power company each month for 10 years for about 250$.  Not a bad deal.  So, when you look into solar system cost you need to figure out everything . . .it's very attractive financially right now.

Jim

Jim that does sound good(the original poster did not want grid tie but I did get into a complete set-up didn't I) Jim I got a question----with the set-up you are talking about getting------If the power goes out for several days, will you have power?? I am thinking not because it sounds like there are no batteries with your set-up.

Another question---someone like myself that wants to be totally disconnected from the power company or a non-grid tie remote solar power set-up-----is there any incentivies for me?

[James150]

We are doing a whole house system on our new house in AZ . . .at least 10 KW.  What you did not figure into your calculations is the incentives and tax credits.  Our system produces excess power (the company allows you to size up to 125% of your usage).  They buy the excess for 16cents per KW.  With all the incentives etc our 10 KW system would cost (installed) about $11,000 and we will get a check from the power company each month for 10 years for about 250$.  Not a bad deal.  So, when you look into solar system cost you need to figure out everything . . .it's very attractive financially right now.

Jim

Jim that does sound good(the original poster did not want grid tie but I did get into a complete set-up didn't I) Jim I got a question----with the set-up you are talking about getting------If the power goes out for several days, will you have power?? I am thinking not because it sounds like there are no batteries with your set-up.

Another question---someone like myself that wants to be totally disconnected from the power company or a non-grid tie remote solar power set-up-----is there any incentivies for me?

We decided against batteries because we won't be here in the summer (will be at our WI farm) so the grid tie was good for us.  We also bought a propane generator ($3k) which provides 100% backup in the event the grid goes down.  I'm not saying this is the way to do it . . .only what works for us. 

I'd check with a solar electric installer in your area, give one a call and ask about incentives for battery systems . . .I know they exist. 

On another topic I'm thinking of putting a battery/solar system at our SW WI farm, the incentives there are being revamped and are not so good.  My goal there would be to offset 100% of our power. 

Jim

[James150]

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

Here's an Off-Grid 2.5 KW system that a neighbor of mine has in Arizona . . .he uses 8 big 12 V lead-acid batteries and 10- 205 Watt  panels mounted on his shed.  He also has a backup generator that he (infrequently) uses to charge his batteries if they get down.  He tells me other than his generator tests (every other week) he has 10 hours on the generator in three years.  He also has a separate two-panel system that he uses to pump water from his well.  He said that he overpaid for that last year, about 1200$.

This system powers his small house 100% including his greenhouse (smaller one)  Pretty cool!

Jim
 

[James150]

I have become curious enough about solar panels for electric generation in the green house to explore the subject. Does anybody use solar generated electricity for their green house or shed or workshop? I am not talking about big systems and putting power back on the grid, just supplemental power.

Here's an Off-Grid 2.5 KW system that a neighbor of mine has in Arizona . . .he uses 8 big 12 V lead-acid batteries and 10- 205 Watt  panels mounted on his shed.  He also has a backup generator that he (infrequently) uses to charge his batteries if they get down.  He tells me other than his generator tests (every other week) he has 10 hours on the generator in three years.  He also has a separate two-panel system that he uses to pump water from his well.  He said that he overpaid for that last year, about 1200$.

This system powers his small house 100% including his greenhouse (smaller one)  Pretty cool!

Jim
 

Here's the well panels and the greenhouse.

Jim

[1tongarden]

Wow theres alot of stuff to know about all this solar panels and batteries .....LOL Well idont want jump the guns here,but what could a guy like me get for my litle house about 800sq ft maybe a little bigger and i got my basement so thats the same size.i use about average 100 bucks a month in electric, with what systems could i cut that down to 0 or even 504 a month. Thanksfor the info guys. I get full south sun everyday.

[James150]

Wow theres alot of stuff to know about all this solar panels and batteries .....LOL Well idont want jump the guns here,but what could a guy like me get for my litle house about 800sq ft maybe a little bigger and i got my basement so thats the same size.i use about average 100 bucks a month in electric, with what systems could i cut that down to 0 or even 504 a month. Thanksfor the info guys. I get full south sun everyday.

It all starts with how much electricity you use now.  Figure out how many kilowatt hours you use now (average over a year is best) and add 15-25% and then see what size system will cover your needs.  You can also go around and use a Kill-a-watt meter

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/P3%20International/P4400/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_campaign=googlebase&gclid=CLLn2tGu864CFU3UKgodEBTfJg


to measure exactly the usage of each appliance (you might be surprised at some things)..

Jim