If you are hesitant about investing in a residential solar power system, small solar power may be exactly what you are on the lookout for. Less expensive than larger panels, barrier much less powerful; as an guide to solar energy, however, they can work best with 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 usually 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 in neighborhood of 190 watts. Panels are priced per watt, and you should be able to receive a rough idea of this type and regarding household items a nominated panel will be able to power from the product description. For comparison purposes, let’s use the average California installing of 3100 watts, which typically powers a full residence. Next special example, 200 watts certainly doesn’t mimic it will power much more when compared with a couple of lamps. For example, the Grape Solar 880 watt system, according to the product’s manufacturer, is capable of powering a 15 cubic foot refrigerator and nothing besides. As mentioned previously, the cost of these smaller panels represents a much smaller investment than would a large panel array, and are infinitely expandable, as well.
Small Solar Panel Kits
The Grape Solar 880 watt is actually one example within a small solar panel kit that may be used as a associated with “starter” solar system for homeowners. More commonly, these types of kits are simply by recreational vehicle owners and boating enthusiasts to power on-board components and appliances by keeping it bank fully charged. 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 stance. Larger, more powerful systems will also need a greater number of batteries as well as an inverter. The panels in these kits are usually the 12-volt type, since most boat and RV components and accessories use 12 volts of DC authority. Inverters become necessary when appliances run on household current, or AC power.
Small Panels are ideal for Remote Areas
Another common use for small individual panels is to power an off-the-grid lodge or cabin. This is the 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 emergency power backup system, a configuration of the many 150-watt panels often used, depending upon the power significant. For outdoor accessories such as security lights, electric fences or water fountains, much smaller panels are often used. Smaller are still the solar panels that power electric exhaust and vent fans, as well as solar cell phone and laptop rechargers. In fact, backpacks, laptop carrying cases and messenger bags are now provided with built-in solar panels with which to charge your smart phones. Small-scale solar living is gaining momentum with each passing day!
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