Solar system for cabin

[hecleo50]

Have a small cabin in the woods away from power grid. Need suggestions on what kind of solar system i would need. Plan to use a computer, six 13 watt flouresent lights, and 20'' tv, maybe four hours per day. Thanks!!

[mike95490]

You need to add up your usage first.

16 watts x 4 hours = 64 watt hours For 1 light at 4 hours. x 6 lights = 384 watt hours total
( That's a LOT of light, 6 bulbs )

20" TV @ 200Watts x 4 hrs = 800 Watt hours
(guessing at 200W for a 20" TV, what's the nameplate on the back say it drews?)

Laptop PC @ 80watts x 4 hours = 320 watt hours

So, per your request, you consume 1,504 watt hours or roughly, 1.5 KWH

That's going to be a fair size Solar Array, and battery bank to store it. Are you going to use daily, or just on weekends, and let it recharge for a few days between uses ?

[crewzer]

hecleo,

We need general info about your cabin's location, and we need to have an idea about you planned use pattern. For example, will you use the cabin three days / week in the winter and up to seven days / week in the summer?

If possible, please select a location from this list: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/sum2/state.html

You may need to look for a location in a adjacent state if you're near a state line.

Also, tell us more about the "...in the woods" part. PV modules aren't particulalrly effective when they're shaded, even partially...

More later...
Jim / crewzer