Introduction
The sun has been sharing its energy with us for a long time, and we should utilize some of it. You can start small — you don’t have to cover your entire roof with solar panels. A compact off-grid solar array is a fantastic solution for RVs and campers, and can be an easy way to run power to an outbuilding.
A small solar array can provide convenient power to a remote location, like our greenhouse. It will reduce your carbon footprint. And you can even expand the array as your needs grow.
Tools Required
Materials Required
- 1/0 gauge cable
- 10 gauge cable
- 3/4” plywood
- shrink tubing
What is a Solar Array Design?
- Solar power is a straightforward process. Photons emitted by the sun are absorbed by semiconductor materials in photovoltaic (PV) cells. This generates a flow of electrons which are converted and stored in batteries as potential energy. An inverter makes the stored power usable. Simple, right?
Off-Grid Vs. Grid-Tied Systems
- True off-grid systems aren’t connected to the power grid, so they need a bank of batteries. RVs, campers and outbuildings are perfect candidates for an off-grid system.
- A grid-tied system lets the energy generated from the solar array power your home. But when the sun goes down, the power grid takes over.
- The benefit of a grid-tied system? If you generate more power than you use, the excess goes into the power grid and the utility company pays you for it.
- The downside: If the power goes out in your neighborhood, you lose power, too. These systems automatically shut off during a power failure to protect the line workers.
