Solar Power? I need help!!

[WyoChickenMan]

First off, the basics. I live in Wyoming, where it snows at least 6 months out of the year. Even in late May/early June we get night time temperatures that dip below freezing. In January it's not uncommon to go at least a couple of days in a row with temps below 0. I have a nice 8'x8' walk-in chicken coop, and a smaller 5'x3' hut I use for bunnies and baby chicks from time to time. What I want to know is what kind of solar panels, batteries, etc. do I need to power these coops and make them 100% off the grid? Will the solar panels work even in harsh winter conditions? As for what I am powering, a small water fountain that keeps the water moving, a 250 watt heat lamp, and a 70 watt heat lamp. From time to time I use two 250 watt heat lamps when things get cold.

Now I know that some say to not heat your coop in the winter, but it's not uncommon to have temps be 25 one day and -10 the next, with those big drops in temperature I'd rather play it safe!

Is there a site I can go to, or a formula I can use, that will at least tell me what kind of power output I need to get from my solar powered system? Or if any of you have used solar power what kind of system and how much power do you produce?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[The Lazy L]

First off, the basics. I live in Wyoming, where it snows at least 6 months out of the year. Even in late May/early June we get night time temperatures that dip below freezing. In January it's not uncommon to go at least a couple of days in a row with temps below 0. I have a nice 8'x8' walk-in chicken coop, and a smaller 5'x3' hut I use for bunnies and baby chicks from time to time. What I want to know is what kind of solar panels, batteries, etc. do I need to power these coops and make them 100% off the grid? Will the solar panels work even in harsh winter conditions? As for what I am powering, a small water fountain that keeps the water moving, a 250 watt heat lamp, and a 70 watt heat lamp. From time to time I use two 250 watt heat lamps when things get cold.

Now I know that some say to not heat your coop in the winter, but it's not uncommon to have temps be 25 one day and -10 the next, with those big drops in temperature I'd rather play it safe!

Is there a site I can go to, or a formula I can use, that will at least tell me what kind of power output I need to get from my solar powered system? Or if any of you have used solar power what kind of system and how much power do you produce?

Thanks so much!!!

IMHO you're asking a lot for Solar to power a 250 watt, 70 watt and a second 250 watt heat lamps 24 x 7.

A EcoGlow Chick Brooder draws only 18 watts for the 20 chick model and 60 watts for the larger model. Very doable and affordable with Solar. $165 plus a good battery and you're in business. <Click Here>

I used a EcoGlow until the chicks were fully feathered. After that no heat. This past winter we had temperatures for a week in single digits and most of the rest of the winter in the low teens. I didn't lose any chickens.

Play it safe? Good point you have there. What happens to the chickens if their heat lamps go out when it's 25 to -10. They will have to quickly adjust to more then just a 35 degree temperature swing.

Solar will work in a harsh winter as long as you have sunshine to recharge the battery(s)