how to set up my own small solar energy system

[gizmoramos]

4 light bulbs
1 LCD monitor
1 CPU power supply
1 TV
2 Electric Fan

just these appliances. i dont plan on powering up the whole house with solar. just a few. since our country doesnt support on-grid type of systems. so we prefer off-grid for small and/ or with the help of utility + solar.

[Sunking]

4 light bulbs
1 LCD monitor
1 CPU power supply
1 TV
2 Electric Fan

just these appliances. i dont plan on powering up the whole house with solar. just a few. since our country doesnt support on-grid type of systems. so we prefer off-grid for small and/ or with the help of utility + solar.

Gizmo the problem with your plan is grid electricity cost you 1/10t of what off-grid is going to ll cost you.

[gizmoramos]

could you give me more details on that. i can't quite get where your going at ahahha.. I'm still confused with you idea. sorry. but thanks in advance

[axis11]

Assuming the cost of grid power in our area is the same, You would save 37usD per month on your bill.438 usd in a year.How much would you spend to save 438 dollars a year?

[Sunking]

could you give me more details on that. i can't quite get where your going at ahahha.. I'm still confused with you idea. sorry. but thanks in advance

Real simple for each Kwh of off-grid battery power in your country is going to cost you around $4000 or more initially with $1000 of that in battery cost that has to be replaced every 5 years or so. So for the first 5 years a Kwh using off grid cost you $2.20/Kwh. Now look and see what the electric company charges you per Kwh. I bet it is less than 20 cents.

[axis11]

In the island where I am, it cost 27 cents. Probably close to the charges where gizmo is

[Sunking]

In the island where I am, it cost 27 cents. Probably close to the charges where gizmo is

20 cents, 27 cents no real difference compared to around $2.20 as you are still throwing money away.

[gizmoramos]

axis- so about 11pesos for you?

i think ours is 60+, i live in quezon city. and also in a commercial area, and i think our rates is not same with normal ones with residential.

sunking- yup, that is the price range that we are expecting. about $6-10k even $20k would be the market cost. but since we have connections. i can get it at a cheaper price. budget is not an issue with us. i just want to know what are the basics on setting up a solar off grid system

[gizmoramos]

60pesos = $1.3 apx

[Mike90250]

........ i just want to know what are the basics on setting up a solar off grid system

1) define loads, total in Watt Hours

2) power storage (battery size, at least 2x the daily WH usage
(battery AH x V = WH)

3) recharge source - generator, solar, hydro, grid charger. You need 2.

3b) Charge Controller, prevents overcharge of batteries, and provides 3 stages of charging to keep batteries healthy.

4) Status monitor, as simple as a voltmeter, or a "Totalizer" style meter.

5) inverter, must be large enough to handle some base loads, while the fridge or well pump turns on and pulls starting surge.
2 types: PureSine Wave = long lasting appliances. ModSquare Wave = some noisy motors, some electronics don't work.

[gizmoramos]

how do you determine how many amps does your controller have to have?

and regarding inverters. if i want to run a 1000W load. is it ok for a 1500W inverter to use or better if larger, like 2kW?

[axis11]

controller amps will depend on your max panel current/amperes.Standard panels using 3inx6in cells have around 3.6amps per panel for 12 volt system. 6inx6in cells around 8amps. If you have 10 panels in parallel,you have 36amps for 3x6 and 80 amps for 6x6. To avoid the costly controller with high amperage, you could increase your system voltage to reduce the current/amperes.Lets say you opt for a 24 volt system. connect 2 panels in series to double your voltage while the current remains the same,still 3.6 and 8.Do this to all the remaining panels.If you now connect the 5 sets of panels in parallel, 5x 3.6a=18amps,,, 5x8a=40amps. See, your amperes is cut in half. Smaller charge controller means lower price. Try calculating for a 48 volt system and see what you get.

[axis11]

and regarding inverters. if i want to run a 1000W load. is it ok for a 1500W inverter to use or better if larger, like 2kW?

Depends on what type of load you have and the quality of inverter. Ordinary appliances, it could work.Pumps,ref,motors require high starting current than what is written,sometimes 4x or more of their rated power.You would need an inverter with high surge capacity or one with a high continuous power rating sufficient to handle the starting surge.
Beware of some inverters from china. I tried in Manila to buy a 1000w inverter, only 25 USD. The salesgirl tested it on a 20w flourescent bulb. I asked to test it on a 300 watt drill, she refused.