solar power for shed

[Pirwin21]

I am finishing up my summer project of putting in a 12x24 shed to store my kubota and yamaha rhino. I've been tossing around the idea of putting in a solarbpanel to run a couple of interior lights and maybe an outlet. Has anyone out there done anything like this? Is this economical? What type of setup would i need for this? As always, the input is greatly appreciated.

 

[MikeInEburg]

If lighting was all you wanted, I'd look at solar to be used with 12Volt LED lighting. You could get something together for under $500. The AC outlet adds to the picture - especially if you may need extended use. How far is the shed from "the grid"?
Mike

 

[Pirwin21]

The shed is between 500 and 600 feet from my panel. Was thinking that i'd need 8 guage wire because of the draw, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Lil_FarmerJim]

There have been several solar projects done here. I myself put together a 2 panel solar array with a 1.5 kw inverter and 4 deep cycle batteries. (Sorry to say I didn't document it here as I did it pretty quick. )

The panels are connected to a 30 amp charge controller and the inverter is connected to the batteries with a remote 100amp disconnect. It all properly grounded and fused with the required disconnects on the panels and inverter. I went with the battery & panel setup so I had reserve power to run more than lights when I need it and power at night when the sun wasn't up. The array generates 270 watts of power which is more than enough to completely recharge the battery bank after its run down to around 80%. in a day. Total cost was around $2,000. ($1100 for the panel and pole mount alone) So its not cheap. If you want to have lights and power for tools and such it'd definitely cheaper to run a outside line to the building.

At 500 to 600 ft for a 20 amp circuit you will need to run at least 8 gauge wire due to voltage drop over that distance and I would put it into a small sub panel to put connect the rest of the branch circuits to.

HTH,
Jim


As with all free advice take for what its worth.

 

[Rob-D]

Hi,
At that distance I would definately look into a couple of panels. Prices are dropping and you can pick up panels relatively cheap.
The first thing you have to do is determine how much power you'll need or what you want to do with the power and then post it so we can help you better.

Rob

 

[saltbranch]

If its just lighting you want, look into the solar powered landscape lighting like sold @ Home Depot. I bought 2 sets of 3 lights for 29.00 each for our camping area a couple years ago. I replace the batteries each yr which are AA. I also have thrown in some non rechargeables when I knew I needed light all night.

 

[Rob-D]

If its just lighting you want, look into the solar powered landscape lighting like sold @ Home Depot. I bought 2 sets of 3 lights for 29.00 each for our camping area a couple years ago. I replace the batteries each yr which are AA. I also have thrown in some non rechargeables when I knew I needed light all night.

Trouble is they won't give out much light. If you want to have meaningful lighting then you can do it pretty cheap. A couple of solar panels and some 12 volt CFLs. You won't need an inverter but you'll need batteries. ( A couple of golf cart batts will work) and a charge controller. You can probalby do the whole deal for well under 750 bucks. Lighting is the easiest, heating the hardest.

Rob

 

[PastTense]

Exactly how often do you expect to need electricity/lighting and what for?

I am thinking something along the lines of windows/skylight and portable electricity (battery pack, inverter off of vehicle, portable generator) might be a simpler/better option.

 

[rambler]

The shed is between 500 and 600 feet from my panel. Was thinking that i'd need 8 guage wire because of the draw, but maybe I'm wrong.

Search for 'voltage drop calculator' and run your numbers. To do it right, you should be running #4 copper or #1 al for a 20 amp circut at that distance. You should only have 3% loss on the main lines....

Solar isn't cheap either. Tend to only get short bursts of power per day.

Tough thing, but if it were me I'd bit the bullet & run some wire to support 40 amp, 240 volt out there, and have something you can use.

--->Paul