I'm working on bringing power to my pole barn, and I'm looking for some advice on off-grid design. I have 12 solar panels that are 320 watts each, which I'm planning to repurpose from my home. Currently, I run LED lights in the barn, which total about 900 watts, using a generator. The main challenge I face is that the barn isn't heated, so any battery I choose must function well in freezing temperatures, which can drop to -20°F in winter. Generally, the energy draw is around 300-500 watts for cameras and wireless equipment. The lights are rarely used during winter due to limited sunlight and typically only for short bursts of 10-15 minutes. In the summer, they might be on for a few hours, but the solar panels should generate more than enough power then. I'd appreciate recommendations for battery technology, chargers, and inverters! I'm also considering building an insulated area to help keep the batteries warmer, but I haven't finalized that plan yet.
2 Answers
Wow, running 1.5 kW of LEDs sounds like overkill for a pole barn! It sounds more like you're looking at 900 watts total for those six high bay LED lights, right? Definitely confirm that. It’s crucial to know your actual wattage for planning your power needs. As for batteries, lithium-ion would work great but may struggle in freezing temperatures unless they have heated enclosures. Lead-acid batteries are more affordable and perform better in cold but don’t last as long. Make sure to check the specs on the chargers and inverters too!
Building an insulated area for your batteries is a smart idea! It’ll definitely help keep them warm and viable in winter conditions. For your inverter, look for models that can handle your peak load, and consider an MPPT solar charger controller to maximize the efficiency from your panels. Since the lighting isn’t critical in the winter, keeping your load down will help a lot. Planning for summer usage is key too, as you’ll need to balance that with your excess production!
Totally agree about the MPPT—I’ve had great results with those! It's a game-changer when you have variable output from your panels.
Good point on checking the actual wattage! Those adjustments can really affect how you plan your system. Insulating the area for the battery sounds like a smart move too—definitely helps with longevity.