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My first post. We have a cabin, on a lake, in a remote area of British Columbia. We are completely rebuilding it. In the past we have run almost everything off propane or generator. We're new to the concept of off-grid solar power.
We will have a main cabin that's 550 SF and three bedrooms that total about 400SF. We have a spot about 20 feet from the distribution panel where we can get about five hours of sun per day in the summer. We need to draw water from the lake; about fifty feet away from the power distribution. We may want to use a winch to haul light boats out of the water from about the same distance away. Bedrooms are 25-50 feet away, though their power usage will be minimal. All lighting will be LED. I'm familiar with it.
Our use is primarily for two-three weeks in the peak of summer, though the cabin will be well insulated and winterized. We want to have an adequate system, though we have been used to "roughing it" while there. We may rent it at some point so we don't want to cut corners on a system by much. It is a rainy area except for summer. In my calculations I have accounted for two days of no sun and 50% battery usage. If the cabin is used during off months there will only be one or two people there, thus much lower power needs. We are in this area: 1,023+ kWh/kW Photovoltaic potential (South-facing, tilt=15 degrees). 120-135 kWh/kW in the three summer months. We have a few trees that will come into play during early and late day. I plan on using tracking devices.
I have come up with 4.5kw hrs/day average consumption when a full crew is there; which isn't often. I think I should have a 24 or 48 volt system because of the two~three long high amp wire runs to the pump and winch. I'm trying to size components. I think I could do four, 230 watt, high efficiency solar panels and use four, 6v. 230 a/hr. batteries.
How have I done for a start?
We will have a main cabin that's 550 SF and three bedrooms that total about 400SF. We have a spot about 20 feet from the distribution panel where we can get about five hours of sun per day in the summer. We need to draw water from the lake; about fifty feet away from the power distribution. We may want to use a winch to haul light boats out of the water from about the same distance away. Bedrooms are 25-50 feet away, though their power usage will be minimal. All lighting will be LED. I'm familiar with it.
Our use is primarily for two-three weeks in the peak of summer, though the cabin will be well insulated and winterized. We want to have an adequate system, though we have been used to "roughing it" while there. We may rent it at some point so we don't want to cut corners on a system by much. It is a rainy area except for summer. In my calculations I have accounted for two days of no sun and 50% battery usage. If the cabin is used during off months there will only be one or two people there, thus much lower power needs. We are in this area: 1,023+ kWh/kW Photovoltaic potential (South-facing, tilt=15 degrees). 120-135 kWh/kW in the three summer months. We have a few trees that will come into play during early and late day. I plan on using tracking devices.
I have come up with 4.5kw hrs/day average consumption when a full crew is there; which isn't often. I think I should have a 24 or 48 volt system because of the two~three long high amp wire runs to the pump and winch. I'm trying to size components. I think I could do four, 230 watt, high efficiency solar panels and use four, 6v. 230 a/hr. batteries.
How have I done for a start?
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