Smart idea? Or no?

[Nellydog]

So I don’t know very much about solar powered things but I had an idea and as far as I know it’s not a thing. So in a chicken coop that gets to cold in the winter they need a heat source so is there such thing as a solar powered heat lamp or something for chickens it could also power a fan in the summer. I don’t tell me your thoughts

 

[BuffOrps32]

I wonder now, it sounds genous!

 

[Nellydog]

Thanks ! I was just thinking of it cause I can’t run electric to my coop, so I hope it’s possible

 

[PirateGirl]

Do a search on this site. There is lots of discussion as well as plans of the solar systems some members have installed for their coops.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Most chickens don't require a heat source in the winter. The exception is places very far north (most of Canada and Alaska) that get very little sun in the winter and often times a good helping of snow and ice. As a result, a solar panel isn't very practical as they're not very efficient under those conditions.

Then there's the problem that it's technically possible but transforming radiation from the sun (which is a source of heat) into electricity, then back into heat is very inefficient. You get a lot of energy loss that way. It's kind of like burning gas to spin a turbine make electricity to power a space heater - it's just not as efficient as just burning the gas right in your own home which is why most heat in the US isn't electric.
Solar panels on their own are already inefficient, there's just so much energy from sunlight that there's no way to capture it all with a solar panel. So it's oftentimes easier to create something like a passive solar system that heats up contained air with reflected light and allows natural thermodynamics to move the warm and cold airs with an opening at the top and bottom.

So in many ways it's better to just let the sun hit your coop and heat it up directly. You could, in theory, build solar panels on a separate surface and then use that energy to produce extra heat for your coop, though. It wouldn't be as efficient but it would take unused energy and turn it into used energy.

For a fan in the summer, a solar panel would be very practical indeed, though.

 

[Nellydog]

I searched it and the only thing I’ve found was from 2016 and later so just wondering if there’s any recent improvements

 

[Nellydog]

How much does an average solar power panel cost with enough power to power a fan for a small coop

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Where do you live? You do not need a heat lamp most likely

 

[Nellydog]

I live close to Chicago and I’ve gotten mixed opinions on weather I need a heat lamp or not

 

[PirateGirl]

If you look at RV supply stores and similar there are lots of relatively simple solar setups and accessories. You essentially need to create an entire solar system just like you would for a human house, you would just need fewer solar panels and less battery storage. In a nutshell I believe you need your solar panels, batteries, inverter, wiring, and devices.