Solar Power for Coop / Run

[sagemccoy]

We're in the very early planning stages for our coop set-up. I'm in NW Arkansas, and summers are getting hotter and hotter. I'd like to utilize solar power for our coop to keep fans and timed lights inside the coop powered. Does anyone have suggestions for solar panels you can plug stuff into? My initial amazon search isn't yielding many results. I'd like to be able to plug in a fan and also a timer for some rope lights inside. TIA!

 

[milogirly]

I was looking into solar power as well (I want to install an automatic door) and I came across this. I am still researching options though:

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html

 

[EggWalrus]

Have you checked Harbor Frieght. I bought some solar rope lights there. I had to write a dc timer into them to make a timer work. but they also have cheap solar panels on sale that when hooked up to a small bank of marine batteries , would power some 12v fans all day. It may be cheaper to get 2 cheap box fans from Big Lots or even Home Depot and a couple of 100ft extention cords.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

The harbor Freight unit is a complete system, all you have to buy extra is the deep cycle battery. It supplies enough power to operate a pop door, led lights and at least one fan.
Don't buy just the Pannels, they have a kit that includes the inverter, charging circuit and everything else, except the batteries for storing power for overcast days. A friend of mine used one of these kits to power his green house, a tv and a radio all at the same time.