Is solar the way to go?
Looking for some input from those of you that use solar to charge your battery. What are good kits to buy that are affordable and portable? How long does it take you to charge in all conditions? Is so...
Forum Discussion
It all depends on your electrictiy usage.
- Minimal usage (a couple lights in the evening, the water pump, fridge on propane), it's a good option and likely cheaper than a generator if you do the install yourself.
- Moderate usage (add a couple hours TV, maybe a couple fans at night, a moderate size inverter to make your coffee or run the microwave {very limited use on both}), a solar system with the batteries to back it up is an option but likely the same or higher cost than a generator after you add in the batteries and inverter.
- Normal usage (add in air/con and run what you want when you want), a generator is really the only practical option.
Keep in mind, larger systems need a lot of acreage on the roof and hundreds of pounds of batteries (along with a place to put them). Batteries are the often forgotten part of the equation. They don't last forever, so when you are looking at the fuel consumption of the generator, balance that against the periodic battery replacement. Likewise, the generator needs a little maintenance (oil change, new spark plug) but batteries need thier water levels checked and connections should be checked for corrosion and other issues occasinally.
- Minimal usage (a couple lights in the evening, the water pump, fridge on propane), it's a good option and likely cheaper than a generator if you do the install yourself.
- Moderate usage (add a couple hours TV, maybe a couple fans at night, a moderate size inverter to make your coffee or run the microwave {very limited use on both}), a solar system with the batteries to back it up is an option but likely the same or higher cost than a generator after you add in the batteries and inverter.
- Normal usage (add in air/con and run what you want when you want), a generator is really the only practical option.
Keep in mind, larger systems need a lot of acreage on the roof and hundreds of pounds of batteries (along with a place to put them). Batteries are the often forgotten part of the equation. They don't last forever, so when you are looking at the fuel consumption of the generator, balance that against the periodic battery replacement. Likewise, the generator needs a little maintenance (oil change, new spark plug) but batteries need thier water levels checked and connections should be checked for corrosion and other issues occasinally.
