North American homeowners are maxing their air conditioning to keep the heat outside where it belongs with summer upon us. Our thoughts turn naturally to whether we could persuade the blazing sun to give us a hand. While the idea seems thermally impossible at first sight, we came across a homeowner who seems to have found a way of using solar power to cool a home.
Disclaimer:
We are sealed lead-acid battery suppliers, not specialist electricians. Our mission is to share information about batteries of all kinds, and the ways they enrich our lives.
Hence, the information that follows is simply that, and nothing more. We are not recommending you follow it, or providing training to do so either.
Please speak to a competent electrician, and ask for their advice. We want you to be completely electrically safe above all else.
The Theory behind Using Solar Power to Cool a Home
The homeowner concerned teamed 8 by 225-watt solar panels with a bank of 16 lithium-ion batteries delivering 25.6 volts. He wired two sets of 4 panels in series, and then joined them in parallel.
Then he fed their power to the batteries via an 80-amp voltage regulator. His remaining challenge was to find an air-conditioning unit that sipped electricity that sparingly. If he could get that right, he could start using solar power to cool a home.
The Solution: An Inverter Air-Conditioner
An air-conditioner with an inverter compressor was perfect for the job. This type uses less electricity by reaching the set temperature faster, and then using 30 to 50% less power to maintain it. The key is the compressor that circulates the coolant faster. As an added bonus, the units are quieter although they do cost quite a bit more.
The homeowner has implemented complete off-grid electricity, and is now happily using solar power to cool a home. His supply and demand coincide for him, and that’s an important step forward for all. We hope the air-conditioning industry runs with this ball.
Related
How to Choose a Solar Battery Set-Up
Battery Options for Solar … When Making a Choice
Preview Image: Sunrise
Link to Homeowner’s Article: Solar Powered Air Conditioning Unit
