Fact About Solar System
Please forgive me for using this title, “Fact About Solar System”, for it is a bit of a play on words. When the scientists or science teachers talk about the solar system they are talking astronomy. However my solar system is what generates power for my house. In fact apart from a backup generator I am solely reliant on it for my electricity needs. Let me talk a bit about it.
Firstly, I decided to go solar because I had always dreamed of doing so. The self reliance factor has always appealed to me. Also, though I am not a “green” political activist or extremist but I like the concept of living green. I’m not there in the way I would like yet but I’d like to there that we’re getting there bit by bit.
My solar system is 24 volt based, I have an approximately 500 amp hour battery bank and 8 x 123 watt sharp solar panels. I am using a couple of inverters and Plasmatronics 40A regulator. That caters fairly well except in winter and extended cloudy weather for 2 laptop computers, 1 x 24 volt 150 L chest, 1 210 L chest fridge (will be going for a ‘normal’ fridge later), a small-medium 240 volt old style TV, a VCR, a DVD player, a small stereo, a handful of lights and when I get my pure sine wave inverter back a large front loader washing machine. The system is not quite big enough so that I can have 3-5 days storage and reasonable to cover for and reasonably quick recovery from rainy, cloudy weather but the plan is to do so.
The house I am building will be lived in by 8 people, and as the children grow I expect the power requirements to grow, so the plan is to extend the power system. We live in South Queensland, Australia.
I am interested to know what sort of other power systems with the appliances they run that are in use. I’d love it if you could tell us your set-up, even if it is only on your caravan or motor home, or weekend cabin, shed, or shed home, even if it is only temporary. Please leave your comments.
Tags: My Solar Power System
