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Off grid solar power for occasional living

  • 14-10-2018 9:45am
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    We are looking at creating a glamping type accommodation in Donegal for summer weekend rental and for us when we travel up.

    The unit will be in quite a senic location which comes with the added problem of not being near an electricity supply.

    The question I have:

    Is it possible to install a solar powered system to provide all of the power needed via batteries?

    Thanks for any info.

    D


Comments

  • Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭[Deleted User]


    The short answer is yes but not between November and March.

    The long answer depends on your specific requirements and seasons of use.


  • Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭Dubsey


    Thanks.

    So plan would be to use it every weekend throughout the summer months and then possibly one or two weekends out of every month thereafter.


  • Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭[Deleted User]


    Doable.
    with back-up Gas Cooking.
    and an alternative heat source


    I'd recommend a small 6KVA honda diesel generator remote started by a 2kVA > 6kVA Inverter Charger Combi. in low battery State of Charge.
    ~2kW Solar + DC Charge Controller & ~ 40kWh Battery.
    Throw in a loada switchgear and copper to boot.

    That'd cover most everything.

    You could simplify a lot. Lights and 24V might be enough and very inexpensive.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,415 ✭✭✭Merrion


    You could add small (500W or so) wind turbines - they're about same price as solar PV cells per W.

    If you are going to get your heat from this set up then needs lots of power and lots of storage - for just lighting / entertainment much easier.

    If heat is needed then maybe look at a phase change heat "battery" rather than a chemical battery for storing that part - a 14KWh one rocks about €5k and has near zero lifetime degradation whereas a LiOn is far more expensive and tends to have shorter lifespan and significant degradation over use. Disadvantage is they only store heat, not electricity.


  • Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭[Deleted User]


    Wind isn't always optional and it's about 6 times the price of solar I find when I compare watts in the battery.
    A lot of wind turbines never produce their peak rating.

    Off grid heat source = light a fire.


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