We will be starting to set up our solar panels and such soon and are computing current energy use as we currently have it. Question is, we have a computer that is not left running during day, just as needed, and average daily time spent on line is approx. 30 min. What can we expect with it with solar power, and how many panels extra should be used? thansk. lori

-- lori tree (loritree66@yahoo.com), January 07, 2002

Answers

Need more information to answer this. What type of computer is it? A laptop, tower? What type of monitor/ display? A computer current draw is fairly low, monitors draw higher current levels, lcd flat screen displays are more power efficient. The important factor to bear in mind is the power consumption of the equipment and the potential of the supply source. One advantage of solar panels is that the battery packs will deliver a better conditioned current than is available on grid.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 07, 2002.

We would needs lots more info to answer this question. Regardless of what your powering you need to know how much power you you need, How much power will your panels generate, How much storage capacity do you have (batteries) and what are your effecncys. I.E. Losses in cables, inverters and phantom currents.

What else do you plan on powering. If this is not the only thing to be powered then the 30 minutes of use will be of minimal importance to your overal solar powered system. If this is all your planning on powering then I make the following suggestions. If you have a desktop unit, sell it and get a laptop. A laptop battery will be fine for your 30min/day usage. You can then charge the batteries of the laptop through the day. You eliminate the need for an inverter to power your system. An real solar charging/inverter to power 1000watt desk top is going to run over $1k. NOt to economical for 30 minues of use.

www.homepower.com is a good source of info. Also www.mrsolar.com is vendor with several DIY packeges and well as helpfull info.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), January 08, 2002.