So, I played with the idea of a solar super fileshare PC a while back. Still like the idea, but it’s prohibitively expensive. Something may open up on the computer side within a year. Western Digital came out with a low power TB drive that uses half the electricity and I saw an Ad for a 5W AMD Geode somewhere. Anyway, it’s not time.
But I can’t let it go. The other day I discovered that the MacBook uses, at most 60W and probably more like 20W. That’s a whole lot cheaper than 60W 24/7. And I started looked at a solar setup again. It looks pricey, but it might be a start.
I’m thinking something like a low power cabin setup of between 30 and 90 W solare panel with some cheap, local deep cycle batteries from a motor boat, golf cart, etc. The intention would be to run the laptop off it, but provide a couple of 12V outlets for the cell phone charger and anything else that will run off a cigarette lighter. This will give me an idea of the cost, parts, usability, suppliers, setup, etc.
It looks like there are 3 pieces. A solar panel mounts on the roof and delivers various voltages and currents as the sun hits it. Electricity runs to an electrical box that charges a battery and or delivers 120v AC. The battery stores electricity for when demand exceeds supply. It’s pretty easy to hook up a 12v cigarette light.
Some large setups don’t need batteries. In Texas, Xcel is required to pay you a credit equal to the price you would be charged. So, in the day extra electricity makes the meter run backwards and take $s off your bill. At night the house runs of the grid and wracks up a bill.
The most expensive part, by far, is the solar panel. Though they claim to last 20-25 years. And they might since there are no moving parts. For example, a cheap 200W panel is $800-$1000. A typical microwave is 1000W. Most laptop computers use 85-100W.
I’m thinking $200 for a large a panel as reasonable. ~$100 for the rest. Freakin’ Apple charges $60 for the cigarette lighter adapter. Absolutely, ridiculous since there are no electronics. Just a patent on the MagSafe connector and some wires.
So, I’m looking for batteries. These things are way to heavy to ship and I don’t need real solar batteries. The electrical box and panel will have to come in through the mail. No choice when you live in the boonies. Batteries are easy to add. I would love it if there was a voltage/amp logger that I could dump into the computer to determine when I need more battery or more solar panel.