Solar Panels For Homes

Run a 1200 watt microwave on an 800 watt solar power system?

I am starting to design a house that I would like to build in the near future and I am considering an off-grid solar power system. I just dont really understand electrical stuff really good when it comes to this. This would be my setup. I would of course have some solar panels, then they would be going to the charge controller, then to the batteries. Then from the batteries would be a dc-to-ac inverter. my question is, would it possible to run a 1200 watt microwave if I only had an 800 watt solar system? Now I am pretty sure I would have to have at least a 1200 watt inverter, but does the solar system also need to be at least 1200 watts or could it be less than that since the power is not coming straight from the panels. Im not really sure what i need to be looking for here. Im sure it also depends on the batteries too. If anyone has any helpful links I would appreciate that too. Thanks for any help.

The 800 watt spec on the solar panels and charge controller is how much they can push into the battery pack at full output. These won’t be affected by the load of the devices that use electricity.

In order to run the microwave, you need to be sure that your inverter can handle it. A 1200 watt inverter would strain to run a 1200 watt microwave because you don’t want to load up your inverter to 100% if you can avoid it and there would likely be other electric devices turned on at the same time.

Another thing you need to be sure of is that your battery pack can deliver 1200 watts plus whatever overhead is needed to make up for inefficiencies in the electrical system. This probably is not going to be an issue, but you need to be aware of it.

Also, I suggest getting a lower wattage microwave. I have two microwaves (5 people in the family) and one is 950 watts and the other is 600 watts. I use the 600 watt unit most of the time because the 950 tends to incinerate things really easy. By running a lower wattage microwave you will also save some cost in your electrical design as well as prolong the battery charge levels when you aren’t getting as much sunlight. Same goes for your hair dryer and toaster.

Solar Panel Setup

Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit $279.95 Dead batteries got you down? Soak up some sunshine with this 60 - watt Solar Kit! Solar power: efficient, abundant and FREE. Looking for a little juice? Solar may be the answer! These super-efficient crystalline Solar Panels were designed for use with cabins, outbuildings, RVs, boats... anywhere running electrical line is not practical. A 7-amp charge controller and 200W inverter help use the sun'...

Watt's Up RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer WU100 Version 2 --- SALE! $54.00 # Specifications: # Voltage 0-60 V, resolution 0.01 V. That's a 14 cell series li-poly pack! # Current 0-100 A peak, 50 A continuous, resolution 0.01 A # Charge 0-65 Ah, resolution 0.001 Ah. That's ~32 Amps for two hours! # Power 0-6500 W, resolution 0.1 W. That's ~8.7 Horsepower! # Energy 0-6500 Wh, resolution 0.1 Wh. # Operates from 4.0-60 V, 0 V with optional receiver battery pack # 16 x 2 STN...

Sunforce 11240 1000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter with Remote Control $191.73 The Sunforce 11240 1000-Watt Pro Series Pure Sine Wave Inverter converts DC power into clean, stable AC power that is ideal for running home appliances, pumps, and motors. It provides 2000 Watts of peak surge power to get your gear started, and 1000 Watts of continuous power to keep it running. Pure Sine Wave inversion guarantees optimum compatibility with sensitive equipment, computers, motors, t...

A Complete Guide to the Installation of Off-Grid PV Solar Power Systems $46.55 This DVD set is a 4 hour, 16 chapter comprehensive course on the installation of Off-Grid photovoltaic solar power electric systems. It is designed to take the complete beginner to full competency. The course is taught by Bob Nagy who is the teacher in over 40 videos on high-tech subjects. Bob's bio includes 20 years at the University of Texas, ABC TV, and NASA. His clear and friendly style bri...

Learn Sun Power:(DVD) How to Set up Batteries, Inverter, Charge Controller, and Panels for a Complete Off-grid Solar Energy System $39.95 If you want to put together a solar power system yourself this DVD is for you. Although it covers an off-grid system it is just as helpful for someone who wants to be partially on grid but would rather set up the system themselves. This is not an overview but rather programmed instruction. This DVD shows, step-by-step, how a 650-watt, off-grid, do-it-yourself solar-panel system was set up. The sys...

Sunforce 11260 2500 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter $450.02 The Sunforce 11260 2500-Watt Pro Series Pure Sine Wave Inverter converts DC power into clean, stable AC power that is ideal for running home appliances, pumps, and motors. It provides 5000 Watts of peak surge power to get your gear started, and 2500 Watts of continuous power to keep it running. Pure Sine Wave inversion guarantees optimum compatibility with sensitive equipment, computers, motors, t...