Solar Lighting for Garden shed/shop ?

[65cayne]

Anyone ever use solar technology beyond the $5 sidewalk lights that they sell at the big stores?

I am interested in using a small solar panel in conjunction with LED or some other low watt/ high lumens type lighting. All this for interior lighting (and one exterior light for the walk in door) on a 10x12 shed.

Heck the wind blows so much here, a small wind turbine would be interesting as well (as a back up source of energy). I have no idea how to put a "system" together though. Never fooled with them.

Suggestions?

 

[ForceFed70]

Well, I have done a similar thing, but it was for my cabin in the woods.

A 15W panel, 2amp charge controller, a decent 12V deepcycle battery, and a couple of 8-13W 12V RV florescent fixtures will do the trick nicely.

I initially wanted to go with LED but found out that florescent was more efficient for a way lower price.

It really depends on how much time you spend in the shed. You could get away with a much smaller battery and panel if you are only in there rarely or for short periods of time.

 

[65cayne]

Thank you for your input. Sounds fairly simple and straight forward.

So how many hours of light would a that set up provide?

-Kevin

 

[ForceFed70]

Thank you for your input. Sounds fairly simple and straight forward.

So how many hours of light would a that set up provide?

-Kevin

2 x 13W florescent fixtures on a 12V deepcycle battery with a 100Amp Hour capacity should last over 25hrs. You've got to replace that power in your battery tho.

8hrs of sunlight with a 15W panel should run 2x 13W fixtures for 4hrs.

 

[65cayne]

2 x 13W florescent fixtures on a 12V deepcycle battery with a 100Amp Hour capacity should last over 25hrs. You've got to replace that power in your battery tho.8hrs of sunlight with a 15W panel should run 2x 13W fixtures for 4hrs.

That puts a different perspective on it. Have you ever tried small win turbines (to generate power at night)?

 

[ForceFed70]

That puts a different perspective on it. Have you ever tried small win turbines (to generate power at night)?

No. I considered it as turbines would be a nice compliment to solar.

I ended up buying a cheap 1000W generator for $150. It was cheaper than the turbines and more flexible. If we are up at the cabin for a few days and the battery is getting low (I also run a small fridge off of the batteries), I start up the generator and run battery charger for an hour or 2.

 

[Plump]

I have some cheap solar LED lights in the backyard. Two are for uplighting a tree and the kids' playground (dusk/dawn switch), another is to light the piss bucket/outhouse (motion detector). They all work perfectly....in the warmer months. In winter, the batteries aren't real keen on starting up. For the price though, I'm not complaining. Harbor Freight for two and Northern Tool for one.