Topic: Solar requirments for remote hut lighting?

Solar requirments for remote hut lighting? 

Hi All,

It's a few season's since I scraped through physics, and the baffling array of commercial spin on just what I require for a small solar system for lighting has my head spinning so thought I'd try and source some independent advice!

My wife & kids have a small remote hut on a muttonbird island off Rakiura and need to run solar lighting.

We're only on the island for a few weeks a year, and that's generally mid-late April to early May, so perhaps not the strongest months for solar.

I'm proposing to run 12 V LED lights, and think we'll need 8 spread around different parts of the hut (there's 3 separate rooms), and run them for an average of say 8 hours a night.

Any suggestions as to what sort of panel we should looks at, and what size?

What sort of charge controller

and what sort and size of batteries/ I should look at?

Appreciate any thoughts!!

Re: Solar requirments for remote hut lighting? 

Use once a year , then leaving a solar charging system for 11 months could be a problem. Maybe a small inverter generator may be an easier solution?. However additional info on the watts of the led lamps will need to be known to work out a solution. Will you want to charge a cell phone or lap top also? Try asking the same Question on http://www.wind-sun.com They have an excellent forum with some good in-depth advice .
If you want more info on ecobob post again and I will try to help you with answers re my experience with an off grid setup.

Re: Solar requirments for remote hut lighting? 

Hi Tearai,

Thanks for your help.

I was hoping for some kiwi help to perhaps identify that x panels from trademe would work (for example).

I think I'll need 5w bulbs. I won't need all 8 on at once, so perhaps assume I need half of them on for say 8 hours a night?

I won't need a laptop, that's most of the reason for going there!

Also, I can bring the panels home & look after them between use.

Do they have a lifespan?

Thanks for your help,

Re: Solar requirments for remote hut lighting? 

That is a small system. 4 lamps at 5 watts is 20 watts.That wiil draw 1.66 amps for 8 hours. 13.33AH.

rule of thumb it is best not to drain a battery more than 20% . This would mean a 70 AH battery. A 100 watt panel would be more than enough to recharge that 13.33 AH draw from the night.
There are lots of trade me panels basically you get what you pay for, look for the bigger names and manufacturers.these days most panels will last it least 25 years to 80% of the rating.You will also need a small charge controller. Lifespan, will more likely be limited by breakage during transport. You can get flexible panels,they may be worth a look,but they cost a little more.
Another thing may be a portable set up already made , I saw such a thing at Bunnings the other day I think around $200, Maybe all you need? Dont know what size batt or panels, but price may be ok for a try.
That wind sun site is still a good bet, solar is solar where ever you are in the world, and the moderators there live and breathe solar.