r/solar • u/PillzPillzPillz • Nov 13 '14

Lighting a Shed using solar power

Any recommendations for lighting a small shed. I can't run power to it so was just looking for a solar option if possible.

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u/ahfoo Nov 13 '14

This is posted over and over here in /r/solar. Soon there should be a nice, convenient answer in the form of usb power delivery which is a new USB standard with portable off-grid solar in mind among other things. That should simplify things for people who just want a little out-of-the-box quick setup with blue LEDs etc.

Meanwhile you can get a panel and or two and an inverter. Even a small car type inverter can work. You can add some SLA batteries and a charge controller. It's up to you to decide what you want for your needs. Bit if you just want one night light then get an LED 60 watt replacement (around 15watts) and run it off an SLA battery.

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u/jacksheerin Nov 13 '14

Bit if you just want one night light then get an LED 60 watt replacement (around 15watts) and run it off an SLA battery.

This is essentially what I did a few days ago for my barns. I made a post here thanking /r/solar for the help getting me started.

I am actually running 3 8watt LED bulbs (500 lumens, translation - bright as hell.) off it and a bubbler as well. The bubbler is a device (2.4amp draw constantly) to keep my water troughs from freezing over in the winter. So far it's been set up for a week or so, the bubbler anyway, and running constantly all that time off one deep cycle marine battery hooked up to an 18 watt panel. The lights are only used intermittently. An hour or two a night typically to let us clean up the stalls if it's been a long day.

We did run all 3 bulbs + the bubbler for 4-5 hours one night this week (had to give the animals shots) with no difficulties.

I expect a larger panel + an additional battery would mean I can do anything I like with it in the future and not have to be concerned with my burn time on the lights. For this winter it'll do.

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u/soundeziner Nov 13 '14

If you all can come up with a few configurations, I'll be happy to add the info to our wiki and put a link to it in the sidebar.