Small Residential Solar Power System
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short video describing a small solar power system that i set up at my house. it consists of twelve 1 amp solar panels (15 watts each for a total of 180 watts of power – per hour). i use it to run all lights (CFL’s), fans, tv’s, and stereos in the house. also the microwave, coffee maker, blender, can opener, sandwich grill, toaster, vacuum, computer and anything else i can think of. run time for lights/fans only is approx 8 hours. add in vacuuming, microwaving or toaster along with lights, tv and the fans and the run time is reduced to 4-5 hours a day. i bought solar panels, inverter (1000 watt) and killowatt meter at Harbor Freight tools, the batteries (deep cycle) from walmart and the battery cables from checker auto. total cost was about $1200 to $1300
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25 Comments
September 8th, 2010 at 9:20 am
@desertsun02 did u really bought the battery on walmart for 72 dollas? they are really cheap
September 8th, 2010 at 10:07 am
this is awesome he has this kick ass setup and hes like “ahhh nothin but a little thang” lol grat video
September 8th, 2010 at 10:12 am
DUDE! Powering a window unit by using the sun would be the coolest thing in the world! Because your blowing cold air in your face all thanks to the sun!
September 8th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Awesome!
Thumbs UP video. IM waiting on FedEx as I type,, I have one kit on the way.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I had no idea such a small set up could run so much stuff…
September 8th, 2010 at 10:52 am
hi desertsun02: i have bought the same solar panels 12 of them. but have a 1200w/3200w 12v dc 115 ac modified sine wave inverter. i understand i should have purchased a pure inverter. have not bought the batteries yet. my panels are approx. 60 ft from the house. my storage unit for the batt is next to them. i want to run a big screen tv -stereo- vcr-vhs-computer -fan-light or two. all in one room. don’t really know how to hook this up. like your set up and could you give me instr. step by step
September 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@davettalashley I usually use 1000w one (bottom one). That one and the 400w one are from Harbor Freight Tools. 150w one is made by Wagan Tech. and is from Fry’s Electronics. I use that one mostly for charging NiCAD/NiMH batteries (AAA,AA,C,D,9v) using a battery charger from Harbor Freight Tools. It also has a 5v charging port. I power everything I can with solar charged batteries (flashlights, remote controls, caller ID, digital camera, mp3 player, even video camera that shot this video).
September 8th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Great video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I would really like to know more about your power inverters. I can’t tell which ones you’re using.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
@jonathans1212 6V golf cart batteries are a good option. The batteries you use in your battery bank should all be of the same type and roughly the same age.
September 8th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hey I have a 12v battery and based on what I’ve heard 6v golf cart batteries are the way to go I only have about 100 watts of solar but can I have 2 golf cart batteries 12v and 1 12v battery until the 12v dies then have only 6v batteries
September 8th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@jonathans1212 Go to energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index and look up the rebate. Basically you file your taxes and add this on and you’ll get the money back, 30% of what you paid not including labor.
September 8th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
@helloman1976 I’ve recently seen the 3 panel set selling for $140 and 1000 watt inverter for $67. If you wait for the sales you could probably get everything for $950 to $1000. Power bill before $40-$45 (w/o AC). now about $25. $20 of that is fees/taxes. with AC on 24/7 (June, July, August) add $75. total bill for last year about $540. total summer bill – around $300. rest of year – about $240
September 8th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@helloman1976 how do u get the rebate
September 8th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@desertsun02 @desertsun02 Better yet there’s a 400watt solar system with a grid tie inverter for $1,500 on eBay, sellers name is “HI_IQ”. Also note that until December 31st, 2010 you get 30% back from the federal government in the form of a tax rebate. Total cost would be around $1,000 and would plug directly into your home so there are no batteries or anything. You could, of course, use a battery setup also to power your home off batteries at night.
September 8th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
$1,300 for everything? Wow and those solar panels are tiny too so that’s pretty impressive. What was your power bill before and after the install? If you are 90% solar, which I’m just guessing based on your video, then the solar panel setup could easily pay for itself in 12 months or less. Very nice setup!
September 8th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
how does the cost of your system compare to your electric bill at the end of the year?
September 8th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
very informative well done a lot of good info keep up the good work !!!!!!!!!!
September 8th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
@Luis29999 The charge controller is used to prevent over charging of the battery bank. They can be purchased at stores that sell solar panels including Harbor Freight Tools and Fry’s Electronics
September 8th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
What is the power charge controller for? Lol and where can I buy them? Thanks
September 8th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
you leave the batteries on the floor in the room?
September 8th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
You could try using a grid tie
September 8th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@uthayak The batteries are about 2 years old. How long batteries last can vary widely. I’m hoping to get at least 3 years out of them.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@elbeghast As energy-efficient and long lasting as LED light bulbs are, I decided against using them for ‘whole house’ lighting at this time, due to their lack of brightness and high cost. I’m currently only using LED’s in, landscape lighting, under cabinet lighting, LED flashlights, and a 28 LED shop worklight.
September 8th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
you need to go big to save big money
September 8th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Nice system ..
How long have you used the batteries ? how long are they suppose to last , considering daily charge and discharge