I'm looking to do a small DIY solar installation at my home in the Denver suburbs to save on costs and make my wife happy by keeping it low-profile. Instead of spending over $20,000 on a full system, I'm hoping to stay within a few thousand dollars for my first project. I have a wooden shed with a roof size of about 8ft x 4ft that gets plenty of sunlight, which I think might be a good spot for a small solar array. I've done some preliminary research and believe I can fit 4-5 100W panels there, but I'm concerned that wouldn't generate enough power, as it's less than 10% of my daily usage. Am I underestimating the number of panels or their output?
Additionally, I want to know what essential equipment I would need to set this up. I recently upgraded to a solar-ready 200A service panel. For this limited setup, do I really not need batteries? Can I just use an inverter, or is a controller required? Lastly, any recommendations for durable solar panel brands that can withstand hail would be great. I'm considering Eco-Worthy for initial costs, but I'm open to other suggestions. Thanks for any help or resources!
1 Answer
To start off, check out Will Prowse's website at mobile-solarpower.com—he’s got great resources for solar setups, from small generators to bigger systems. His YouTube channel is also fantastic for visual learners. You'll find plenty of useful information there!
Does he explain how applicable RV setups are for residential use? I’ve been wondering how similar those systems really are.