Hello everyone! I'm a retired guy living in a small house near Philadelphia and I'm frequently dealing with power outages, the last one lasting five days. My house's positioning and surrounding trees limit my ability to install a large solar system that might completely take over from the grid. On sunny days, I get direct sunlight on my roof for about 4-5 hours. I'm considering a small solar setup that could charge a battery large enough to run basic appliances like our fridge, lights, and fans during an outage—just enough power to keep us going for a day or two. Is this realistic? We've looked at battery/generator systems, but it's all quite overwhelming with so much conflicting information online. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
I recently set up something similar in my garage using an Eco Worthy package. It comes with a 5000W inverter and two 48V batteries. Even though I'm not using solar yet, this system runs my garage fridge for about 24 hours alongside lights and other small devices. Initially, the battery prices have gone up, but it’s a decent deal overall. Just keep in mind the additional costs for wiring and fuses. You can check it out here: https://a.co/d/6aP1Hwk.
I've been experimenting with a small solar system nearby, and I'm also getting around 4-5 hours of sunlight per day. With two Renogy Shadowflux 200W panels, I'm managing around 100W output per panel. Each day, my setup charges my battery pretty effectively, given that my discharge is low. For your needs, if you can balance between charging and usage, optimizing your system can be very achievable!
The Amazon link for a 48V system looks promising. I built a 24V setup with a 3000W inverter and 4 batteries for about the same price. Solar can definitely help charge your batteries in those 4-5 sunny hours if you size your array correctly. Just be aware that installation costs, if you go that route, can add up. I managed my whole off-grid system for under $4k. If you're in PA, consider that extreme weather can impact power outages, just like the cold could prevent your batteries from charging well.
I found a helpful video that explains solar setups really well. It covers different options and components, making it less confusing. I own the Anker unit they compare with, and it keeps my garage freezer running for over 24 hours without solar. You might find it useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_v6E-MYMdc
For simplicity, you might want to check out the EcoFlow Delta Pro. It pairs well with a manual transfer switch, allowing you to switch between grid power and the EcoFlow easily. If you don’t want to use solar right away, just keep it charged manually. Adding solar panels later is straightforward if you decide to go that route. It’s a simple and effective solution for your situation!
That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!