Solar power in Phill

[andypaul]

A little update.

The Wife took out several solar powered devices (battry chargers x2, mobile and ipod chargers, some rechargable radio/torchs which are both wind up and solar and we also sent out some slightly larger units.

With the instructions followed by some bright young cousins we now have some smaller fans powered by solar power.
We also have solar powered security lighting which is used in the dirty kitchen so when someone has to go out side it lights up so far we have reports of 4 to 5 hours of decent lighting for free. the outlay was about 40 quid after some hunting round online.

We have also had the first leccy bill since the units were installed it has made a sizable difference to the monthly leccy bill.

I have several other projects we aim to sort which include water heaters and the installation of two large solar power units which should produce 300 watts this will produce enough power to charge some heavy duty battries and run at least one possible full size fans, with the battries possibly being used for the nighttime power for the fans.

Cost far more than the power generated by the units, but hoping its both useful during power outrages and reduces monthly outgoings.

The kids love them and the fact as the newer phones take more and more power to charge more frequently, we don't notice prehaps, but its pesos Titas would rather spend in the market
The wind up/solar radios and torchs combos the younger ones love and real handy for older members of the family.

[keithAngel]

I have some experience of this from Portugal

You have to start from what you want to do with it in terms of use and calculate your requirements in watts (most aplliances are rated in watts) and how many amps you need to generate and store to service this

For example if you work from 12 volts a 60 watt tv or fan will use 60divided by 12 equals 5amps per hour if you use it 6 hours a day thats 30amps of consumption a 75 watt solar panel at peak might give you 4-5amps per hour for 8-9 hours depending on intensity and you can make your list of projected expenditure at peak and your required input at min in a 24 hour period, winter calculations are best as you use more lighting at least here. your batteries act as the reservoir and balance out the peaks and troughs

A friend of mine installed 4 x 75watt panels on a manual swivel stand (you can get auto trackers)

He had 12 x 2volt 100amper batteries which is your energy storage

And a 1.5 kilowatt inverter which converts 24volt dc to 220 ac

About £5000 8 years ago but the advantage was that to have mains power brought there he would have paid that for the installation so he effectively for the same money had power but no bills

It was enough for all his audio and lighting ran washing machine without heating the water (did this with 12mm coils of alkathene on his roof with water flowing through which could be stored for later use in the house)

It also ran all his power tools although he would try to gear this for full sun times no good for refrigeration though he had gas

He also used a 1mt parabolic reflector about £120 easy to make if you buy the mirror quality ali pre cut out and this would boil a gallon of water in a caste iron kettle in 5mins at 9am in Sep in Portugal There are also quite efficient designs for earth /solar ovens if anyone is interested and cant find out tell me and i have good access to these resources and will point you in the right directions.

I am involved with Green/Alternative Tech Events for many years and have helped in Thailand with a few small projects

If you have access to wind and or water there are other low cost strategies
Including Savernous Rotars (spelling) and pelton wheels that dont require more than village blacksmith tech