Advice for minimum requirments to build starter PV system.

 

I have been interested in setting up a small PV system to attach to a
gardening shed to provide light and maybe a small fan and/or radio. I
don't want to have to run power to the shed and I want to use this
setup to test the waters for more PV independence down the road. What
are the minimum items I will need to set up a small system, besides
panels and batteries?

 

 well for starters do you want to use 110 AC for the lights and fan?  If
you don't want to bother with the inverter side of things you can just
run a simple 12 volt system -- wire it like you would your car -- heck
you can even use a car sterio, 12 volt LED lights or similar and a 12
volt fan.  

Or you'll need to invert to 110 which isn't too hard either and wire the
shed like you would any normal electrical system and use standard lights
etc.

Just figure out how much power you think you'll need and figure how much
light you have and buy enough panels to run what you need.

 

   At minimum, you need to add a solar charge controller to your equipment list.
In my similar small system, I use 13 watt, 12 volt compact fluorescent lamps
rather than dealing with an inverter.  I buy them at West Marine.  They are
pricy, but they last me several years in daily use.

   My system lights the front and rear of my house, and keeps my generator
battery charged.

Vaughn

 

for the light how about getting a couple of those garden
lanterns, put them on the roof, and rig the LED lights inside
the shed. For under 20 bux you could see what you stubbed your
foot on when it is dark out.

peace
dawg

  

  LOL   ...rural poetry..  peace, dawg.
jt