Does anybody use these or know about these? I want to move into a green house that can grow all year, any ideas or suggestions are welcome and appreciated thanks everyone
This dude built a 1000 watt solar power station. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtFkAbgUukA I never heard of lights themselves being solar powered.
Yeah It's an interesting topic. I'm actually in the very early stages of planning for Solar Panels. But so much information gonna spend the winter to figure out the best route. Would be interested in others experience and what not.
I figur start up on a solar system would be quite expensive but will pay itself off fast, imagine running a heater fans vent and lights off sun power add the rain and snow catches and your def saving money
My plan is to build/buy a good greenhouse that I can grow in all year I imagine it would be the best way to do it, atleast looking at the long run
My whole home is on solar (7200 Watt Outback system with 12 panels and 16 6 volt batteries). The big challenge you will have is generating heat after the sun goes down. If you intend to power your greenhouse after the sun goes down, you'll need a pretty serious battery system. The lights draw a bit, but any kind of heater draws a TON. You have to make sure that your battery capacity is enough to store all the energy you need overnight. Also - most "home made" systems are 12 volt systems. Those unfortunately do not generate the type of amperage you need to power anything more than 12 volt lights, which grow lights are not. You'll need an inverter to convert that power to 110VAC, and with 12 volt systems there is a lot of waste in the conversion. If you have the money, look into 24 or 48 volt systems. Your inverter will have a much easier time stepping that up to 110. If you want to do it on the super cheap and you aren't worried about the nighttime, you can get some used 12 Volt panels, a cheap 12 volt inverter from an auto parts store and plug your lights into that.
About solar lights! I am new to here too. I want to enter a greenhouse that can grow year-round. I hope that people in solar panel planning can give me some advice. I know from others that the use of solar energy is really worthwhile, and can quickly recover the cost because the power of the heater fan vents and solar lights increases the amount of rain and snow capture and your savings. What I really want to ask is that the used 12-volt voltage board is worth investing.
My dad had an electric fence set up for his cows. It was solar powered with a battery box. It kept the cows inside the fence all night long, and somehow they knew when the thing was turned off. I don't know what the specs were on that set up, but my point is, if you're the tinkering type, maybe you could find a way to get something like this to run LED's all night? Just a thought.
A buddy uses his gas powered BBQ to keep his green house warm even tho under 12 feet of snow in winter its a sight to behold ...like an igloo ..lol cheers/
Immense losses and equipment costs. If you have the square feet for the solar panels make it a greenhouse. If you have to be indoors you can do it but its going to be a lot more watts and panels than you're thinking of. Best bet would be to use some to offset peak rates if applicable.
What about these windmills people use? Just for a 600 w light and a fan??? Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
You could do a solar plus wind thing. Wind is very efficient per square foot of space. Don't know your ground impact. Use solar to survive when wind is not pushing. You'll still need DC to DC energy storage 10% loss. Then DC to AC which is 10% loss. Or buy special DC to DC for LED. But if you're truly off grid and have no other option it can be done, just saying its not like an $80 Harbor Freight kit and you're good to go.
Yeah i use these pathway lights i got on amazon to make sure they stay in veg, they probably dont do much for growth Sent from my SM-N976V using Grasscity Forum mobile app
I have a 2KW solar installation. It paid for itself within the first three years. A great investment.