I'm totally new to solar systems and need some guidance on how to set one up for my off-grid deck, which is quite large at 1200 sq ft and includes a full kitchen. I'm aiming to power a few essentials: a refrigerator that only runs during the day, a small hot water heater, 15 lights, a tabletop ice maker, a blender, a toaster, a coffee maker, and 4 fans. Additionally, while I can use propane for some items, I'd love to know what battery storage I would need to run these appliances for about 6 hours, including 3 hours of heavy use. How many solar panels would I need to keep the batteries charged during the day? Also, is it cheaper to source all the parts individually or to buy a complete kit? I understand lights use less power, so I'm considering LEDs to help with that.
2 Answers
For building my off-grid system, I relied heavily on resources from Missouri Wind and Solar. Their videos were super helpful, and I’ve been operating smoothly for over 7 years now. Definitely check them out!
To kick things off, you might want to create a spreadsheet to track all your appliance loads, including their wattage and how long you'll use them. This can help you figure out your total energy needs. Don't forget to also plan for cloudy days—considering a propane option for certain appliances can help reduce your system's strain. As for panels, it's generally wise to have about a third of your daily kWh needs as the equivalent in kW of solar panels.
And also, I'm curious if you have any examples of spreadsheets or templates to get me started.
Thanks for the tips! What's a ballpark budget for the whole setup, though?