Solar Lighting - How much?

[Dannbodge]

Hello.

I'm from the UK and I'm moving into a new house in about a months time. It comes with a 18m2 garage in a block behind the house.

The in the block of 12 garages mine is 7th from the end closest to my house, on estimate this is around 35-40m away.

Because of the distance away and number of other garages in the way, mains power is not feasible for me.

So I'm looking at solar systems that run a 12v battery and a 240 inverter. This will be used for lighting only and if I need mains power I will run an extension lead.

My questions are:

Has anyone got any solar systems or experience with them?

How much light do I need in my garage. It will be used for car maintenance and cleaning. I'm planning on having a work bench so some DIY etc will also be done.

Going on ISO standards I estimate that I would need between 500-1000 Lumens of light. Does this sound about right?

I'm planning on using LED tubes or single bulbs.

 

[kd3pc]

the bigger question is, can you get 90% sun on the panels assuming that you can legally mount the panels on your garage.

Here in the US, 12v to 120 inverters are not a big deal...not sure about the 240v....I would check with a marine solar supplier like, ferris here in the us, or similar....http://www.hamiltonferris.com/

If you can get to the sunlight, you should be able to get decent light. >250 watts of panels, a few 12v batteries and an inverter.

 

[Dannbodge]

the bigger question is, can you get 90% sun on the panels assuming that you can legally mount the panels on your garage.

Here in the US, 12v to 120 inverters are not a big deal...not sure about the 240v....I would check with a marine solar supplier like, ferris here in the us, or similar....http://www.hamiltonferris.com/

If you can get to the sunlight, you should be able to get decent light. >250 watts of panels, a few 12v batteries and an inverter.

From what I can find on our local council's website solar panels come under permitted development so it should be fine.
The garage is in a nice open area and get light from sunrise to sunset.

 

[Bronson]

Can You install Solar Tubes?

 

[Dannbodge]

Possibly but I would want lights for night use too. I reckon a decent solar set up would cost me around £200

 

[sneasle]

So, 1000 lumens of light is less than what a single T-8 florescent tube will produce, in other words, not a whole lot of light. Before you start planning your system, make sure your lighting estimate is correct.

Working off a single t-8 tube, they consume ~35watts, so assume 40W to be on the high side. A 40W solar system can be purchased for very little (~$200) here in the States, but typically these come without a battery and inverter.

I'm not sure what pricing and availability looks like on your side of the pond, but I would expect that your budgetary estimate is a touch on the low side.

 

[Dannbodge]

Sorry I got my units mixed up. It would need to be 500 - 1000 lux not lumens.

I've found a 100w solar kit for about £120. If I want a 200w it goes up to about £180 without batteries or lights, both of which I can get pretty cheap.

 

[kd3pc]

At least 200 watts in panels, to get you the capacity you want, as the 240 inverter will be less efficient than the 120 gear we have here in the states.

I have 240 watts in two panels on my boat, 2 golf cart batteries on that bank and can light my whole boat (LEDs) for the evening, read and watch TV, without totally discharging the bank. 4-6 hours of solid light will usually top them off.

 

[Mustang51js]

I think you can get panels for around $1 a watt which is pretty good price. You biggest cost will be the batteries and the life of them, you could be up to $500 for batteries and usually looking around two years of life. It depends on the drain you will have and the temperature they will be stored at.

 

[Dannbodge]

Okay. That's the sort of advice I want. Thanks