If you are hesitant about investing in a residential solar power system, small used solar panels may be exactly what you are on the lookout for. Less expensive than larger panels, they’ve also been much less powerful; as an report about solar energy, however, they can work best with the homeowner who isn’t quite ready absolutely solarize his or her home.
Small Solar Panels Don’t Create lots of Energy
As you can imagine, a small solar panel will probably have fewer watts than a larger panel. Experts at the Solar Guide, for example, note which a two square foot panel would typically produce about 50 watts, while an eight square foot solar panel would generate more ultimately neighborhood of 190 watts. Panels cost per watt, it’s also important to be able for just a rough idea for this type and number of household items a particular panel will have the ability to power from the idea description. For comparison purposes, let’s make use of the average California installing of 3100 watts, which typically powers a full residence. Next compared to that example, 200 watts certainly doesn’t mimic it will power much more than only a couple of lamps. For example, the Grape Solar 880 watt system, based on the product’s manufacturer, can do powering a 15 cubic foot refrigerator and nothing besides. As mentioned previously, the cost of these smaller panels represents a much smaller investment than would a large panel array, and are infinitely expandable, as well.
Small Solar Panel Kits
The Grape Solar 880 watt is actually one example with regards to a small solar panel kit that can also be used as a associated with “starter” solar system for homeowners. More commonly, these kinds of kits are through recreational vehicle owners and boating enthusiasts to power on-board components and appliances by keeping battery bank fully priced. 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 aboard. Larger, more powerful systems will also require a greater number of batteries as well as an inverter. The panels in such kits are generally the 12-volt type, since 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 solar panels is to power an off-the-grid lodge or cabin. This is often a 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 urgent power backup system, a configuration of varied 150-watt panels are often used, depending upon the power needed. For outdoor accessories such as security lights, electric fences or water fountains, much smaller panels are often used. Smaller are still the solar panels that power electric exhaust and vent fans, as well as solar cell phone and laptop rechargers. In fact, backpacks, laptop carrying cases and messenger bags are now available 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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