I'm trying to figure out how to create a basic solar setup for my two home offices. I can't afford a full installation, so I'm considering using secondhand equipment to power a handful of devices: three laptops, four monitors, three mini PCs, networking devices, chargers, and lights. I want to keep this system separate from the grid. From what I've gathered, I need solar panels, an inverter (not sure if I need one or multiple), a charge controller, and a battery or some form of storage. I already have an Outback FM80 MPPT charge controller and I can get some 265 Watt panels for free. My big questions are: how do I choose an inverter and storage medium that are compatible with my equipment? I keep coming across equations online that are tough to understand, and I want to make sure I'm not missing any components!
2 Answers
You might want to start by using a battery calculator to get a better idea of what you need. It looks like you're planning to run quite a substantial setup, so you'll definitely need batteries and an inverter. But heads up, batteries and inverters can get pretty pricey, especially if you're aiming for anything over a few kilowatts. You could consider either going for a DIY battery system or just getting a professional house setup, as trying to combine both can really add up. If you're just connecting to mains, then you might skip the batteries altogether and save some cash. Figure out which route you want to take first!
Based on your setup, the first step I took was to check the max voltage your charge controller can handle from your solar panels, which is 150V. You'll also want to check the current rating for charging batteries; it’s either 60 or 80 amps. This might seem a bit contradictory considering the total panel power, but understanding this max voltage gives you great flexibility in how you configure your panels. With panels, you can set them up in series or parallel configurations, but make sure to consider the maximum output voltage of each panel and add a safety margin, usually about 10%. Figure out how many panels you can connect in series for a solid setup!