I'm new to solar energy and I'm looking to kick off a small project. Specifically, I'd like to set up a solar system to power my window air conditioning unit during the day to keep my trailer cool. I'm considering either an 8,000 BTU or a smaller 5,000 BTU unit, depending on how many solar panels I'll need. If anyone has experience with this type of setup or any plans to share, I'd really appreciate the help!
1 Answer
Running an AC unit is a big energy drain, so it might be trickier than it seems for a "small" project. For example, a 5,000 BTU AC could use about 3,000 watt-hours per day if you run it for 6 hours, which means you’ll need at least 800 watts worth of solar panels and quite a bit of battery storage. This setup can easily cost over $1,000 at a minimum. There are some hybrid mini-split kits designed for solar use, but they're also on the pricier side. By the way, since you're using this in a trailer, the compressor usage might actually be lower, so it'd be good to consider the size of your trailer, its insulation, and how much space you have for panels.
Edit: I’d love to know more about your trailer setup!
Do you think the temperature I set it at will make a difference? I was planning to keep it around 80 or 85, to avoid it getting super hot when I get back from work. I live in a rural area, and after dark, I usually just sleep with the windows open. I really just want to ensure it doesn’t take too long for the place to cool down naturally at night.