Solar energy?

[Hodgeshens01]

I am setting up my coop in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has ever used solar power on their coop and if so what system and how was it set up? I plan to use it to power a heating system for the colder months as well as to provide some additional lighting when the days grow shorter thanks in advance!!

 

[Acre4Me]

I am setting up my coop in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has ever used solar power on their coop and if so what system and how was it set up? I plan to use it to power a heating system for the colder months as well as to provide some additional lighting when the days grow shorter thanks in advance!!

Where do you live? Curious bc most people do not heat their coop, unless they are located in very cold areas with long periods of sustained cold, and even then most people don't heat their coop, they instead get cold-hardy breeds. Also, heaters often will draw a fair amount of energy. Perhaps a panel heater meant for use in coops (usually attached to a wall, next to a roost) may be a low power and safe heating solution.

With regards to lighting, that should be pretty easy bc you can light your coop with LED Christmas lights, which should draw only a small amount of energy. You'll want a timer so that the lights turn on/off at same time every day, and you can Lengthen their day using the time too.

We use a heat lamp connected to a thermostat, so it does not turn on unless temp in coop (at roost level) gets below 15F. It only raises the temp to around 0F when the outside temps are -17F. The one issue you want to avoid with any heating is to not get the coop warm so that they birds are shocked by the cold or will struggle if the heater dies or panels no longer work (or the electricity goes out when using a plug in system).

We light our coop, using a single bulb. It is connected to a timer, so we try to keep them at 14 hours light per day. You'll need to begin using light in September to avoid a slowdown in egg production. Some people on BYC are very opinionated against supplemental lighting bc they fear that the birds need a break. However, they will take a break (irregardless of supplemental lighting) when they molt. Since I have heritage breeds, they are not high production anyway, and I still get a lower rate of egg production in the winter when using supplemental lighting, but I still get eggs.

We do not use solar power, as our coop has proper electric (no extension cords). However, I think using solar for the supplemental lighting will be easy. The heating might be harder bc of the potentially higher energy requirements.

Good luck to you.

 

[aart]

I am setting up my coop in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has ever used solar power on their coop and if so what system and how was it set up? I plan to use it to power a heating system for the colder months as well as to provide some additional lighting when the days grow shorter thanks in advance!!

Not many have done it, it's not something you can buy off the shelf and 'plug in'.
You'll need a collector and battery that matches your climate and power needs.
Those can get quite big.
After that, the 12V wiring and timers are pretty easy.

Welcome to BYC! @Hodgeshens01
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Hodgeshens01]

Where do you live? Curious bc most people do not heat their coop, unless they are located in very cold areas with long periods of sustained cold, and even then most people don't heat their coop, they instead get cold-hardy breeds. Also, heaters often will draw a fair amount of energy. Perhaps a panel heater meant for use in coops (usually attached to a wall, next to a roost) may be a low power and safe heating solution.

With regards to lighting, that should be pretty easy bc you can light your coop with LED Christmas lights, which should draw only a small amount of energy. You'll want a timer so that the lights turn on/off at same time every day, and you can Lengthen their day using the time too.

We use a heat lamp connected to a thermostat, so it does not turn on unless temp in coop (at roost level) gets below 15F. It only raises the temp to around 0F when the outside temps are -17F. The one issue you want to avoid with any heating is to not get the coop warm so that they birds are shocked by the cold or will struggle if the heater dies or panels no longer work (or the electricity goes out when using a plug in system).

We light our coop, using a single bulb. It is connected to a timer, so we try to keep them at 14 hours light per day. You'll need to begin using light in September to avoid a slowdown in egg production. Some people on BYC are very opinionated against supplemental lighting bc they fear that the birds need a break. However, they will take a break (irregardless of supplemental lighting) when they molt. Since I have heritage breeds, they are not high production anyway, and I still get a lower rate of egg production in the winter when using supplemental lighting, but I still get eggs.

We do not use solar power, as our coop has proper electric (no extension cords). However, I think using solar for the supplemental lighting will be easy. The heating might be harder bc of the potentially higher energy requirements.

Good luck to you.

Thank you very much and I should probably rephrase I planned on using the light as a minor heat source to knock the chill out during the winter my primary concern is the additional lighting during the winter so this is very helpful and I live in Tennessee so the temps rarely drop below the 20s in winter. I have Australorpes and Rhode Island reds so I am hoping to have a fairly decent egg production either way.

 

[Hodgeshens01]

Hey

Not many have done it, it's not something you can buy off the shelf and 'plug in'.
You'll need a collector and battery that matches your climate and power needs.
Those can get quite big.
After that, the 12V wiring and timers are pretty easy.

Welcome to BYC! @Hodgeshens01
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2053950

thak you and I will add that I was unaware that you could I should also add that I am more concerned about lighting over heat I live in Tennessee and the temps don’t get very low I just assume that and incandescent light would knock the chill off and provide the additional lighting I am looking for during the winter.

 

[aart]

I just assume that and incandescent light would knock the chill off and provide the additional lighting I am looking for during the winter.

Probably not, unless you coop is very small, but you don't need it anyway.
Timer is essential for 'laying lights'.

 

[Hodgeshens01]

Probably not, unless you coop is very small, but you don't need it anyway.
Timer is essential for 'laying lights'.

Ok I will look into the timer and am starting to get some ideas on solar thank you