Hey everyone! I'm just starting out with solar power and I'm looking to set up a system for my barn to run a fan that only operates when the sun is shining. I'm not connecting it to the grid, so it'll be completely independent. I'm curious if I need to include a charge controller and a battery in this setup, since I'm not concerned about running the fan when it's cloudy or dark. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
There's actually a simple solution for what you want. You can find systems that come with a solar panel designed to run directly off the DC output. I have one for my barn that powers an exhaust fan, and it works great! It might be worth looking into those ready-made options.
You might consider using a 12-volt, 100-watt solar panel. It could power a 12-volt fan, like one that plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter. Just a heads up, though—it might struggle on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days. If you get two panels and connect them in parallel, it could improve your chances of having enough power. That's a pretty budget-friendly option. But if you're eyeing anything bigger like an AC fan, you're going to need more equipment overall.