If you are hesitant about investing in a residential solar power system, small solar power systems may be precisely what you are searching for. Less expensive than larger panels, they’ve also been much less powerful; as an introduction to solar energy, however, they can be perfect for the homeowner the ones won’t be quite ready to completely solarize his or her home.
Small Solar Panels Don’t Create a lot of Energy
As you can imagine, a small solar panel will probably have fewer watts than a larger panel. Experts at the Solar Guide, for example, note that a two square foot panel would typically produce about 50 watts, while an eight square foot solar panel would generate more inside of the neighborhood of 190 watts. Panels cost per watt, and it’s be able to rough idea for this type and regarding household items a nominated panel will have the ability to power from that description. For comparison purposes, let’s make use of the average California installation of 3100 watts, which typically powers a full residence. Next to that example, 200 watts certainly doesn’t sense it will power much more than a couple of lights. For example, the Grape Solar 880 watt system, according to the product’s manufacturer, is capable of doing powering a 15 cubic foot refrigerator and nothing other than you. As mentioned previously, the cost of these smaller panels represents a much smaller investment than would a large panel array, and are infinitely expandable, too.
Small Solar Panel Kits
The Grape Solar 880 watt product is one example from the small solar panel kit that can be utilized as a sort of “starter” solar system for homeowners. More commonly, these kinds of kits are simply by recreational vehicle owners and boating enthusiasts to power on-board components and appliances by keeping the car battery bank fully priced. These particular kits usually contain panels rated anywhere from 50 to 440 watts, depending upon how heavily the vehicle or boat is used as well as how many appliances are on board. Larger, more powerful systems will also would like a greater number of batteries as well as an inverter. The panels in such kits are generally the 12-volt type, since the majority boat and RV components and accessories use 12 volts of DC electric power. Inverters become necessary when appliances run on household current, or AC power.
Small Panels are ideal for Remote Areas
Another common use for small solar energy panels is to power an off-the-grid lodge or cabin. This is often a low-cost and low maintenance method of keeping a backup battery bank charged in order to power several DC appliances. Free Sun Power shows an 800-watt system that closely resembles the Grape Solar kit, using eight 100-watt panels. For an unexpected power backup system, a configuration of numerous 150-watt panels tend to used, depending upon the power necessary to. For outdoor accessories such as security lights, electric fences or water fountains, much smaller panels are often used. Smaller still are the solar panels that power electric exhaust and vent fans, as well as solar wireless phone and laptop wall chargers. In fact, backpacks, laptop carrying cases and messenger bags are now available with built-in solar panels with which to charge your mobile devices. Small-scale solar living is gaining momentum with each passing day!
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