Inexpensive solar option for barn power?

[TimberMan]

I am getting ready to build a small barn with lean-tos that is only meant for storage...meaning, it will not be a shop with high electrical requirements and I don't want the hassle of trenching in a power feed from my house or the cost of an additional metered service.

I would like to power some interior and exterior lights, and a few trickle chargers so tractors, lawn mowers, etc. can keep their batteries topped off during long periods of inactivity.

I have been looking online for solutions but I keep coming up with fairly expensive inverter based setups but I think I only really need a low voltage system.

Any suggestions on where to look for a solar setup that would meet my needs?

Thx.

 

[N_Jay]

Inexpensive and Solar don't go together.

Look at a few 100 ways of 12v panels and car battery system.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Inexpensive and Solar don't go together.

This.

 

[mike93lx]

If you want simple, buy one of the portable power stations (anker, jackery, ecoflow etc) and their corresponding panel. Price will really depend on how big of a battery you need

 

[TRLKC]

PM sent

 

[Youngandfree]

I am getting ready to build a small barn with lean-tos that is only meant for storage...meaning, it will not be a shop with high electrical requirements and I don't want the hassle of trenching in a power feed from my house or the cost of an additional metered service.

I would like to power some interior and exterior lights, and a few trickle chargers so tractors, lawn mowers, etc. can keep their batteries topped off during long periods of inactivity.

I have been looking online for solutions but I keep coming up with fairly expensive inverter based setups but I think I only really need a low voltage system.

Any suggestions on where to look for a solar setup that would meet my needs?

Thx.

Yeah that's going to require an invertor and battery. Unless you get a DC trickle charger and wire up 12V DC lighting.

 

[Kaizen]

Plenty of motion activated lights with solar panels out there that work well for years. I have an ecoflow that i use if i have to charge up a battery instead of pulling out extension cords. But they are not good for tools. If you have any tools i'd recommend battery power tools. Plenty out there now that do anything you want.
If i was in your position i'd be trenching and putting in conduit. Who knows what 20 years from now will want.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

A small amount of lighting should be easy. 12V lights, and a deep cycle battery connected to a 12V panel to keep that battery charged.
Could connect each vehicle to a similar panel but I wouldn't connect all the batteries, especially different sizes/ages.

 

[mike93lx]

A small amount of lighting should be easy. 12V lights, and a deep cycle battery connected to a 12V panel to keep that battery charged.
Could connect each vehicle to a similar panel but I wouldn't connect all the batteries, especially different sizes/ages.

You can't connect the panel to a battery without some form of charge controller, afaik

 

[N_Jay]

All the parts are available on Amazon. Harbor Freight, or Ebay.

 

[Fixr]

I am getting ready to build a small barn with lean-tos that is only meant for storage...meaning, it will not be a shop with high electrical requirements and I don't want the hassle of trenching in a power feed from my house or the cost of an additional metered service.

I would like to power some interior and exterior lights, and a few trickle chargers so tractors, lawn mowers, etc. can keep their batteries topped off during long periods of inactivity.

I have been looking online for solutions but I keep coming up with fairly expensive inverter based setups but I think I only really need a low voltage system.

Any suggestions on where to look for a solar setup that would meet my needs?

Thx.

If you want to centralize it all and make it all work together and be highly efficient and integrated, that could be an interesting project. Otherwise, you could just use some individual solar powered lights and battery charger/maintainers. All cheap, and if one goes down it doesn't screw up anything else. Just keep them all separate. Put the solar panels on the roof and run wires inside. Zero whiz-bang appeal, but no worries about integrating systems.

 

[sjvicker]

What’s your budget?

 

[TimberMan]

What’s your budget?

I don’t really have one. But lest say under $1000 including batteries

 

[dfiler2]

Search for portable solar generator, I think you'll see lots of choices. You could use seperate solar lights .

 

[tncatadjuster]

Under $1,000 Jackery 1000 with solar panels $929 on Amazon.
Could be done cheaper if you assemble it yourself.

 

[mike93lx]

Under $1,000 Jackery 1000 with solar panels $929 on Amazon.
Could be done cheaper if you assemble it yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2L1G66J?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm seeing 700. Different model?

 

[N_Jay]

Check the watthours, and panel watts.
You can do better with LiPo RV 'house' batteries a separate charger/regulato and panels.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Just purchased these for a similar project.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCKJLB3N?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[carlaisle]

One day rental on a trencher, some conduit, and wire is going to be far more practical than the cheapest solar system you can cobble together.

You're looking at around $250/45 minutes of run time at an 1,800 watt load just for batteries. Add the inverter, solar panels, and incidentals on top of that and you can maybe come in around budget, but what have you gained? Could have just run the hard line for the same money or less, in less time, and then you'll be unlimited and have no future costs. Inverters, solar panels, and batteries die.

 

[ATC]

One day rental on a trencher, some conduit, and wire is going to be far more practical than the cheapest solar system you can cobble together.

You're looking at around $250/45 minutes of run time at an 1,800 watt load just for batteries. Add the inverter, solar panels, and incidentals on top of that and you can maybe come in around budget, but what have you gained? Could have just run the hard line for the same money or less, in less time, and then you'll be unlimited and have no future costs. Inverters, solar panels, and batteries die.

Agreed. Just do it. Depending on the location of the barn from the service, you don't even need to "trench" it. A fork or tine on a tractor or skidsteer jabbed into the ground 6" makes a nice shallow trench easily.

 

[Youngandfree]

Agreed. Just do it. Depending on the location of the barn from the service, you don't even need to "trench" it. A fork or tine on a tractor or skidsteer jabbed into the ground 6" makes a nice shallow trench easily.

I'd want power deeper than 6".

 

[TimberMan]

I'd want power deeper than 6".

I need to be 3' deep without conduit and 2' deep with conduit. I've got a ton of underground stuff in the way of pulling power from the house and this structure isn't meant as a workshop which is why I am exploring solar.

 

[ATC]

I'd want power deeper than 6".

Ideally yes, but that’s why I said depending on the [proximity] to the service. I did exactly that when I ran 110v to a shed of mine 25’ away from my garage. Had to cross the service feed for the garage too. No issues in ~8 years now.

Looks like op has a lot going on underground anyways. How far away is your structure?

 

[sjvicker]

I don’t really have one. But lest say under $1000 including batteries

The easy button is one of those battery generators with a few panels and the benefit here is that you can grab it and use it as needed elsewhere.

If you're the DIY type this is system would offer more power and flexibility for expansion and come in right around 1k with AGM batteries. https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/the-classic-400-watt-rvs-vans-buses.html

 

[mike93lx]

The easy button is one of those battery generators with a few panels and the benefit here is that you can grab it and use it as needed elsewhere.

If you're the DIY type this is system would offer more power and flexibility for expansion and come in right around 1k with AGM batteries. https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/the-classic-400-watt-rvs-vans-buses.html

That site says $2k, though?

 

[sjvicker]

That site says $2k, though?

Prices have dropped significantly since he built that page. For example he budgets 700-800 for panels and charge controller and his link to the renogy amazon kit is $550 and also includes the wires. 12v inverters are cheap and at that point it just comes down to how many batteries he'd want to use.

 

[mike93lx]

Prices have dropped significantly since he built that page. For example he budgets 700-800 for panels and charge controller and his link to the renogy amazon kit is $550 and also includes the wires. 12v inverters are cheap and at that point it just comes down to how many batteries he'd want to use.

Ah, OK, got it

 

[dcg9381]

I have been looking online for solutions but I keep coming up with fairly expensive inverter based setups but I think I only really need a low voltage system.

Any suggestions on where to look for a solar setup that would meet my needs?

Thx.

I've done "inexpensive" systems on a prior home (remote gate).
I'd do the following:
Throw up a 300 watt panel.
Have it feed 2-3 standard lead acid deep cycle batteries.

Use a charge controller that has the following:

1. PV (solar) input (duh)
2. Battery 12V charge output - designed for lead acid, AGM, or lithium
3. Make sure it has "load output" - What you're looking for here is a "low voltage" cut off so it can't discharge the batteries too deeply.

This system worked great for me for years. You'll need an individual 12V to 12V charger for your implements / whatever you're charging in the shed.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I need to be 3' deep without conduit and 2' deep with conduit. I've got a ton of underground stuff in the way of pulling power from the house and this structure isn't meant as a workshop which is why I am exploring solar.

No other detached bldg like a shop you can pull power from ?

It might be a PITA to get it done,but once you have a trench dug with a conduit in it, you're golden. No worries about replacing batteries or solar panels.

 

[trainer]

At my camp I have a 100w renology solar panel and controller connected to a standard lead acid deep cycle battery. It keeps the battery charged and will run a radio, rv-type water pump and a few 12v lights that are used occasionally (weekend use)
you may need a separate charge controller for each battery you want to maintain, but I think they can be had for about $30 each
My Total setup was under $300 cdn.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B092J5HZH7...&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are looking for a "single box" solution, you are probably correct.

If you are only going run some small battery chargers, you can probably get by with a 250VA-500VA inverter (Victron Energy 250VA 12-Volt 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter - Amazon $100). A small 10A charge controller (Victron Energy Solar Charge Controller, 75V input, 15A - Amazon $50). Choose a solar panel ($100-$200)

Add 100AH 12V LiFePO4 battery ($200), some wire, connectors and your in business !

$620 Milk Crate Solar Power System: 640Wh LiFePO4, 500W Inverter, 260W Solar/AC Input, 8x USB This was a couple of years ago using "raw" cells. You can buy "name brand" components todays for about the same price.

 

[Fixr]

If you are looking for a "single box" solution, you are probably correct.

If you are only going run some small battery chargers, you can probably get by with a 250VA-500VA inverter (Victron Energy 250VA 12-Volt 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter - Amazon $100). A small 10A charge controller (Victron Energy Solar Charge Controller, 75V input, 15A - Amazon $50). Choose a solar panel ($100-$200)

Add 100AH 12V LiFePO4 battery ($200), some wire, connectors and your in business !

$620 Milk Crate Solar Power System: 640Wh LiFePO4, 500W Inverter, 260W Solar/AC Input, 8x USB This was a couple of years ago using "raw" cells. You can buy "name brand" components todays for about the same price.

If you are only going to run some small battery chargers, buy some small solar battery chargers. One per battery. And leave it at that.

 

[Beerhippie]

I built a system to run some of our remote lights at the pub last year. IIRC, it was under $100. The lights are all low-voltage (12V) landscape lights, so no inverter needed.



That's a 25 Watt (advertised) panel ($40), the charge controller that came with it, 2 X 12 AH SLA batts ($22 each), outdoor electrical box ($22)--which you probably don't need, and a dusk-to-dawn switch I didn't need as the charge controller does the same thing.

That's enough to run these lights for about four hours each night. I added a second 12 AH SLA battery for longer run time in the long winter nights and it now goes to long after midnight, even with short, cloudy days.





Here's how it looks assembled:



I added another battery and deleted the d-d switch later.



For keeping batteries topped up, just buy a programmable charge controller for each battery and set it for the range you want to keep the batts charged at. With one controller/battery, you can set each one according to needs.

I like these controllers:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NPDWZJ7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

IIRC, I had to replace the crappy one that came with the panel with one of those. For your lighting, I use 12V occupancy switches (a motion detector that knows you're still there even if you're not moving) and 12V panel light for an RV. I've rigged our two Conex storage containers with another solar system for lighting, too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JLB0GM6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094R1VNQX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You'll want enough dedicated battery to keep the lights lit for the time you'll be needing them, and a charge controller for that. Lithium is cool, but SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries are cheap. For the Conex, we're just in and out, so a single 12 AH batt works fine with the same 25W panel I used above.

So, add up all your draws, buy a little more panel than you think you need (panel ratings are optimistic) and get 'er wired up!

 

[theoldwizard1]

I built a system to run some of our remote lights at the pub last year. IIRC, it was under $100. The lights are all low-voltage (12V) landscape lights, so no inverter needed.

OP wants 120VAC. That is what I spec'd.

 

[Beerhippie]

OP wants 120VAC. That is what I spec'd.

But, why? For running some lighting and charging equipment batteries, 12V is fine--rigs running 24V just disconnect the individual batteries. Low-voltage lighting is cheap and available in many different forms these days.

For tool battery charging, I'd just use a cheap inverter like you'd use in your rig.

Too bad not many companies make 12VDC chargers for their tool batts. Super handy when off-grid. I saw Makita 12VDC chargers in use when I was in Hawaii in the early '90s, but never was able to source one on the mainland.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Too bad not many companies make 12VDC chargers for their tool batts. Super handy when off-grid.

Milwaukee DOES !

M18™ / M12™ Vehicle Charger | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18™ & M12™ Vehicle Charger allows users to charge battery packs on the go from the DC Outlet of any vehicle.

www.milwaukeetool.com

 

[Youngandfree]

Milwaukee DOES !

M18™ / M12™ Vehicle Charger | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18™ & M12™ Vehicle Charger allows users to charge battery packs on the go from the DC Outlet of any vehicle.

www.milwaukeetool.com

Dewalt did in the past at least. My work provided dewalt drills with 12v chargers for our vans.

 

[Beerhippie]

Milwaukee DOES !

M18™ / M12™ Vehicle Charger | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M18™ & M12™ Vehicle Charger allows users to charge battery packs on the go from the DC Outlet of any vehicle.

www.milwaukeetool.com

Aaaand.. I live in the red house!

Cool--thanks!

 

[2diamondfarm]

I am getting ready to build a small barn with lean-tos that is only meant for storage...meaning, it will not be a shop with high electrical requirements and I don't want the hassle of trenching in a power feed from my house or the cost of an additional metered service.

I would like to power some interior and exterior lights, and a few trickle chargers so tractors, lawn mowers, etc. can keep their batteries topped off during long periods of inactivity.

I have been looking online for solutions but I keep coming up with fairly expensive inverter based setups but I think I only really need a low voltage system.

Any suggestions on where to look for a solar setup that would meet my needs?

Thx.

any Amish in your area ? check with them

 

[Fixr]

OP wants 120VAC. That is what I spec'd.

Scrolling through the thread, I don't see any mention from the OP of wanting 120VAC, but I may have missed it.

The first post just specified some lights inside and out, and trickle chargers for a few pieces of equipment. All of that can be accomplished with individual, non-interconnected HF or Vevor-grade solar lights and solar battery chargers at a total cost of hundreds of dollars. One solar charger per tractor or lawnmower. If one light or charger fails, the rest keep going. Spend $20 or $50 to replace the failed unit and keep on keepin' on.