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Thread: Calling all alternative energy gurus!!

  1. #11
    LHBA Member BoFuller's Avatar
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    I figured he wanted to produce 1Kw per day.

  2. #12
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    Well, that's my confusion, because that isn't a valid value. One can produce at a rate of 1 kilowatt, or one can produce 1 kilowatt-hour over a given time period. (in this case, a day)

    So for example, a panel rated for 200 watts (0.2 kw) exposed to sun for 5 hours during the day, produces 1 kwh/day.

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  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by rreidnauer View Post
    Actually, I'm a little confused by Dan's specs for the original question. He said 1 kw per day. So does that indicate he wants a 1 kw array, or to actually produce 1 kwh over a day?

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    The aquaponics system, well the one I'd like to have for our personal use, would require 1KW of electricity per day to run efficiently. I'm an extreme novice on electricity. I'm glad you asked for clarification.

    Is it more accurate to ask, if I needed to consume 1kw of electricity per day?
    Last edited by LogHomeFeverDan; 05-22-2013 at 08:07 AM.

  4. #14
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    Lol, well that's still not accurate! I'm gonna assume you mean 1 kilowatt-hour per day, since I doubt the aquaponics system is drawing 1000 watts. (though possible if lighting is used too)

    So let's work the numbers. You need 1000 watt-hours per day, abd a safe figure is 5 hours per day of direct sunlight for the solar panel. So a 200w panel with MPPT charge controller, or 250w panel with regular switching controller will work. (not acounting for cloudy weather) As for batteries, since figured in amp-hours, need some conversion. Such a small system, a 12v arrangement is fine. (and cheaper) So 1000 watt-hours divided by 12v system voltage is 83 amp-hours, and for long battery life, don't draw down more than the top 25% of the battery, so a battery with 332 amp-hours minimum.

    So you'd need:
    1 - 12 volt, 332 amp-hr deep cycle battery
    1 - 250 watt 12 volt solar panel
    1 - 12 volt switching charge controller
    1 - 100+ watt inverter

    It's up to you to gather price info.

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  5. #15
    LHBA Member BoFuller's Avatar
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    I say you are safer figuring on getting about 50% of what panels are rated at. So two of the 250 watt solar panels would be better. And how much cloud cover do you get?

  6. #16
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    I agree with Bo. I was just giving Dan the cheapest possible option.

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  7. #17
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    Cloud cover shouldn't be a concern. This would be in the foothills of the Blue Ridge in NC. Lots of sun.

    Sounds like it's doable.

    Yeah Rod the only things I'd be running for the system is a small water pump, and three aerators. I'd just need to keep the water circulating and most importantly oxygen in the water so the fish don't die. A system this size would supply us with all the veggies and fruits we need. Actually we could grow a surplus. I'm still going to grow the system to a commercial venture but I wanted to explore if we were off grid could I still power a system large enough to supply us our needs.

  8. #18
    LHBA Member StressMan79's Avatar
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    Ok, the lhba is an educational organization.

    Watt is power, that is to say how fast you produce/use energy

    So

    Energy is the power used for a given time, watt x hr, or kw-hr.

    For extra credit, what is a calorie, how is it different from a Calorie?

    For double secret x cred, what is a btu, any replies with "british" in them lose points. In a related topic, what is meant when a furnace/AC/gas grill is so many btus?

  9. #19
    LHBA Member rreidnauer's Avatar
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    BTU is a measurement of energy to raise one pound of water by one degree.

    No idea on calories without looking it up .

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  10. #20
    LHBA Member StressMan79's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rreidnauer View Post
    BTU is a measurement of energy to raise one pound of water by one degree.

    No idea on calories without looking it up .

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    Good. Gold star for Rod. So if btu measures energy, given enough time a mouse burns 100k btus, why is my furnace rated for 100,000 btus?

    Waiting for calorie/Calorie definition.

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