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Join Date: Apr 2009
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Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/02/2009 10:32 PM

what must be the wattage value of the power inverter that we must use if we have a 50watts solar panel and a 12v battery? why? its an urgent. tnx

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Anonymous Poster
#1

Re: SOlar panel and power inverter

04/02/2009 11:56 PM

check with your solar panel supplier had best answer to your Q.

Regard's

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Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
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#2

Re: SOlar panel and power inverter

04/03/2009 12:07 AM

"wattage value of the power inverter that we must use if we have a 50watts"

I'd use at least 5,000W. You need a safety factor of 10:1. or is it 1:10?

I'll get back to you.

This has strung me out!!!!

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Power-User

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#3

Re: SOlar panel and power inverter

04/03/2009 6:26 AM

dear,

you have 50 W SOLAR PANEL> CONSIDER, 100% generation - theoritically,

then, you have a power input to inverter of about 100VA . Considering efficiency of 86% of inverter, you get out put from inverter only 86 VA . So, maximumm load you can draw from the over all system shall be 86 VA. The rating of inverter should be atleast 100 VA.

( considering ambient temp. / ventillation / nature of load etc... ).

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#4

Re: Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/03/2009 9:15 PM

You have not provided enough data for anyone to properly answer this question. The size of the inverter you can run off of this setup is determined by the capacity of the battery. You have not provided that info. The size of the solar panel speaks to battery charge rate and not the power input to your inverter.

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#5

Re: Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/03/2009 11:52 PM

Your inverter size is determined by your load demands, not by your input. A 50 watt panel is not much of an input, so I hope you're only running a couple of cfl lights. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed. Without any other inputs you can pick up a cheap 100-400 watt inverter from your local hardware store for $20-$60. Don't forget a charge controller for your panels/battery and fuses/breakers.

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#6

Re: Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/04/2009 12:14 AM

Hope this helps, but what you really need is a charge controller. It is like a battery voltage regulator and can often operate at different input voltages. There are some small hobby versions to robust 180V DV @ 60A residential models to very BIG commercial setups. I think at 50 watts, check for hobby systems (Xantrex makes a nice one for about $100.00 US coinancy, used to be currency).

Good luck

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Anonymous Poster
#7

Re: Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/04/2009 2:29 AM

50watt/12V Solar panel gives us 4.16A

We can draw 50W from Invertor,

So Power of Invertor is 50/.8(Power factor)=62.5VA

Power Factor can be veary according type of load

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Associate

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#8

Re: Watts Up: Power Inverter for a Solar Panel

04/04/2009 6:19 PM

Your question is actually upside down. If you have 50 W panel and 12 V battery, then you should ask how much power can I use for Inverter. It really depends on many factors. 50W solar panel can only give you 50 watts charge power in the very best condition on a sunny day.I am used to work with 3000w - 6000w inverters. I would personally not spend much time on power calculations in your case, just compare prices and take the best offer for an inverter of size up to about 400w if you have a normal car battery. Or if there is an option you can calculate how much power you need for your application and select an inverter according to your need. keep in mind that you can use 6000w inverter but that would be stupid because you would empty a normal car battery in few minutes and it will take hours or days to fully charge again. If you plan to use the power for lights, then use LED´s if you can.

Regards GJA

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