I'm considering installing 2 or 3 100W solar panels from Harbor Freight on my garage roof. The plan is to connect them to a charge controller that feeds a few LiFePo batteries. After that, I'd like to use an inverter to charge some portable batteries, like the EcoFlow River 3. My goal is to rotate these portable batteries to power small devices at home and keep essentials like my internet, fridge, and freezer running during extended outages. Does this approach make sense?
2 Answers
Your idea could work, but just a heads up—it might be more expensive than necessary. For a budget-friendly setup, consider looking for used solar panels. Many 180W to 230W panels are popping up on the market, especially from solar farms updating their gear. Also, invest in a good MPPT charge controller, some reliable batteries, and a pure sine wave inverter. It may be more effort, but you'll save a good chunk of change and probably end up with a better system. Just keep in mind, the size of your inverter and batteries will depend on what exactly you want to run and for how long.
Great plan! Just make sure you get solid connections and fuses to prevent any mishaps. Also, don’t forget to check the wattage ratings of your appliances to ensure your inverter can handle the load. It's crucial to align everything right to avoid overloading.