Solar panel question/advice

[jsmith]

i currently have horse stables fitted with 4 foot florescent tubes and some out side light with i use a petrol generator to power with works well.

would it be possible to put solar panels on the roof and do away with the generator or do i have to have a electricity supply?

thanks

 

[dansk]

Hi and Welcome.

Their are "Grid Connected" and "off Grid" solar systems, the first meaning you need a electric supply the second meaning you don't, this one requires a battery backup system, in essence the solar system charges the battery's that you then use to power the lights etc.

 

[Worcester]

Depending upon how many tubes you have you could also swap them for LED tubes at 18W instead of the current 36W so you'll need only half the amount of battery storage.

Also depending upon your total needs, you can consider a simple solution that charges batteries and they them power DC led lights, or if your need are greater you go for a system that generates AC and then converts to DC for battery backup, in the latter instance, you system may be eligible for Feed In Tarrif payments for the power that you generate.

How many lights do you currently power, what else runs off the genny, how long are the lights / genny on for?

 

[solarfred]

I have done this and it is working well. Four LED tubes plus floodlights and path lights all off solar panel and battery system. Where are you??