Solar panel on coop?

[Bossroo]

The point being that today's solar panels are not as good as they are cracked up to be unless that is one's only option...Look at it this way... the original cost for the solar panel is just the start , then add on the add ons.(roof supports, converters, switches, controls, storage batteries, etc) The panel will almost never produce the power it is rated at ( most ideal conditions). Then it has a life span of on average of 7 years as it steadily becomes less and less efficient with time at witch point one would have to replace the panels as well as most if not all of the accessories. In my case, I found it much more cost/ benefit effective to run an underground power line for a 200 amp sub panel in my horse barn for over 1,100 feet at a cost of $12,000. and buy the power from PGE. while it would have cost me $48,500 up front for the solar equipment to install and then have the pleasure to do it all over again in 7+/- years.

 

[cutlass1972]

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This seems to be the general consensus among people who live too far out to be on grid. They Do solar, hydro, and wind because they have to. I have dabbled in all forms of homebew power for gets and shiggles, and have gotten the same comment from many ov the off grid people "why would you want to fool with that if you have an endless supply of power for pennies on the grid?

It is VERY true that just getting asolar panel and a battery is the very tip of the iceberg, then you have the REST of the equipment to think about.

Dont get me wrong I am not trying to discourage anyone from playing in alternative energy, and I understand that it is the right answer for some people, just dont think that it is this romantic free energy system that will solve the worlds energy problems.

They have improved solar technology, and hopefully will continue to do so. Hopefully one day all of the shingles on our houses will be made of a solar energy collecting material and we will be able to divorce ourselves from our coal chugging power companies!

One more rambling, wind or hydro power will get you TONS more power for less money if you have constant wind or a stream nearby.

 

[krazeepolack]

SOLAR POWER!!!!!

I have used Harbor Freight 45 watt solar panels (two for a total of 90 watt output) for over two years now. They come w/two 5 watt bulbs in each kit. They give off PLENTY of light after dark. I have not had the least bit of trouble with them. I leave these lights on all night, every night, & they just keep on tickin! I use them year round! Occasionally, they are on sale for $179.00 for the 45watt kit. Worth every cent! I will be installing them in my coop soon. They aren't any good for heat lamp use, but in any sized coop, I'd be hard pressed to come up w/something better for lighting. A 5 watt bulb doesn't sound like much, but @ night, it makes a pretty wide lit up area.

 

[NorthernOntario]

I still think that solar-electric is not the way to go for heating in a coop. You are much better off doing a solar water heater to heat a large container (55G drum). Then insulate the drum, and pipe that hot water where you need it. Now you just need a few watts of solat-electric to run the pumps. Solar hot water heating is much more efficient than solar electric; collector is more efficient, no losses converting electricity back to chemical (battery) and then back to electricity when you need lights/heaters.

People have built solar water heat collectors from pex tubing, copper tubing, old refrigerator coils, car radiators, plastic corrugated sheets (signboard). I'm planning to build a solar collector for my chicken coop from an old car radiator... cause I have a few of them kicking around. A small-ish solar panel setup (20w max), and a deepcycle battery.

You can go as simple or as complicated as you want...
-a really simple setup would have you place the storage tank above the collector, and use thermo-syphon to move the water. Downside to this is you need a checkvalve inline to prevent reverse thermosyphon when it's cold out (the collector will radiate heat). Also means you have to use anti-freeze in the system.
-slightly more complicated... solar collector, storage tank, 12v pump, solar-electric panel sufficient enough to run the pump... sun shines on the PV panel, generates enough electricity to run the pump, pumping water through the collector to heat the water in the storage tank. Only runs when the sun shines... shuts off at the slightest bit of cloud cover.
-more complicated... solar collector, storage tank, 12v pump, solar-electric panel sufficient enough to run the pump, battery, thermostat controller... PV panel keeps the battery charged, solar collector and storage tank have temperature sensors connected to a 'differential thermostat'. That thermostat controls the pump. When the sun shines, it warms the collector... when the collector is warmer than the storage tank, the pump kicks on and pushes cold water through the solar collector to heat it. Pump will keep running if a cloud passes by (collector is still warm). DIY plans for differential thermostats can be found online, or purchased online... $30-$50 for a kit. This setup ensures that if you've got a sunny day, but a hot tank full of water, that the pump won't run and pump HOT water into a WARM collector... losing you heat.

 

[cutlass1972]

I agree, a car radiator as the collector with a simple box buit around it to act as a collector, an elsid pump to move the heat down into the coop, 20 watt panel to drive the pump, and a revolutions of 1/4" copper pipe in the chicken waterer would do the trick.

 

[Scott]

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That sounds very promising. I'm glad to hear your success with solar. Two 45 watt solar panels sounds like alot, but if it meets your electric needs, then it seems like a good investment to me. I am working on getting my chicken house solar as we speak.

 

[alpinefarm]

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Backwoodssolar.com was recently recommended to me. They are very helpful.
I am off-grid and loving it.