If you are hesitant about obtaining a residential solar power system, small individual panels may be precisely what you are trying to find. Less expensive than larger panels, ffortunately they are much less powerful; as an guide to solar energy, however, they can are perfect for the homeowner who isn’t quite ready entirely solarize his or her home.
Small Solar Panels Don’t Create lots of Energy
As you can imagine, a small solar panel will generally have fewer watts than a larger panel. Experts in the Solar Guide, for example, note that this two square foot panel would typically produce about 50 watts, while an eight square foot solar panel would generate more in the neighborhood of 190 watts. Panels cost per watt, and you should be able to receive a rough idea for the type and involving household items a unique panel will be able to power from the product description. For comparison purposes, let’s use the average California installation of 3100 watts, which typically powers an extensive residence. Next to that example, 200 watts certainly doesn’t think that it will power much more when compared with a couple of lights. For example, the Grape Solar 880 watt system, in accordance with the product’s manufacturer, can perform powering a 15 cubic foot refrigerator and nothing else. As mentioned previously, the cost of these smaller panels represents a much smaller investment than would a large panel array, and are infinitely expandable, too.
Small Solar Panel Kits
The Grape Solar 880 watt is actually one example from the small solar panel kit that are used as a associated with “starter” solar system for homeowners. More commonly, these epidermis kits are simply by recreational vehicle owners and boating enthusiasts to power on-board components and appliances by keeping the battery bank fully assessed. These particular kits usually contain panels rated anywhere from 50 to 440 watts, depending upon how heavily the vehicle or boat played with as well as how many appliances are on stance. Larger, more powerful systems will also need to have greater number of batteries as well as an inverter. The panels in these kits are generally the 12-volt type, given that boat and RV components and accessories use 12 volts of DC power. Inverters become necessary when appliances run on household current, or AC power.
Small Panels are best 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 varied 150-watt panels sometimes used, depending upon the power required. For outdoor accessories such as security lights, electric fences or water fountains, much smaller panels are often used. Smaller still are the solar panels that power electric exhaust and vent fans, as well as solar wireless phone and laptop chargers. 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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