Solar PC

[paco97]

I have access to 20V solar panels and I use them at work on a daily basis for powering our seismograph equipment at remote locations.

I have an interest in using solar panels to run my pc at home strictly with solar energy. I've been reading about solar energy and am very intersted in it but have never really taken any steps to using it at home, but I think now is the time.

Is it possible to run a PC off a couple of 20V solar panels? Thanks.

[draypoker]

Originally Posted by paco97

I have access to 20V solar panels and I use them at work on a daily basis for powering our seismograph equipment at remote locations.

I have an interest in using solar panels to run my pc at home strictly with solar energy. I've been reading about solar energy and am very intersted in it but have never really taken any steps to using it at home, but I think now is the time.

Is it possible to run a PC off a couple of 20V solar panels? Thanks.

Only if it is a laptop with small power needs.
Anyone using solar power becomes fanatical about cutting power needs.
See Home Power magazine for practical examples.
http://www.members.aol.com/wimtalk/g...ateaction.html
http://www.members.aol.com/wimtalk/g...icalities.html

[geodome]

I agree with draypoker, most people overestimate how much power they'll get from a solar panel. A solar panel only produces peak power for a hour or two each day, in a couple of the summer months. on a brightist winter day you may only produce a tenth of rated power.

With a couple of panels you should be able to work a laptop in the summer months. If you can't make enough power in winter just use your laptop from the mains, your still doing your bit when the sun shines. (nothing to stop you adding more pv panels later)

[draypoker]

Originally Posted by geodome

I agree with draypoker, most people overestimate how much power they'll get from a solar panel. A solar panel only produces peak power for a hour or two each day, in a couple of the summer months. on a brightist winter day you may only produce a tenth of rated power.

With a couple of panels you should be able to work a laptop in the summer months. If you can't make enough power in winter just use your laptop from the mains, your still doing your bit when the sun shines. (nothing to stop you adding more pv panels later)

In any case we don't have enough information. 20 volts doesn't tell us anything about size. We need to know the watts it can develop in full sunlight. I don't really know what a laptop needs, but I did once investigate the quantity of solar panels I would need to run a full sized Mac. It was too many. I do run a pump for a solar water heater. There is nothing left over. I have forgotten what is the peak wattage I have but it's something like 200 watts.

[Wowbagger]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...ar_powered_pc/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...re_components/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...ar_powered_pc/
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/ho...-pc-live-test/

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/06/technical_foundations_diy_solar_powered_pc/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...re_components/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...ar_powered_pc/
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/ho...-pc-live-test/

I think the links mention feasibility study and a price in the region of $3,000.
If you can get the PC power requirements down to 60W (a good thing) then then you'd save less in energy costs than you would earn by sticking the $3,000 in the bank.
Maybe recent developments in low-cost PV cell manufacture could make it fly.

[videotuning]

very interesting and usefull I think

Originally Posted by paco97

I have access to 20V solar panels and I use them at work on a daily basis for powering our seismograph equipment at remote locations.

I have an interest in using solar panels to run my pc at home strictly with solar energy. I've been reading about solar energy and am very intersted in it but have never really taken any steps to using it at home, but I think now is the time.

Is it possible to run a PC off a couple of 20V solar panels? Thanks.

[Mr.Phil]

You don’t necessarily need to power the laptop directly from the solar panels. The good thing about laptops is they already have a built in battery and charge controller (some laptops have the ability to use two batteries). You could connect the solar panels to the laptop during the day to charge the batteries and then use the laptop for 2 to 3 hours in the evening running on the batteries that were charged with the solar panels.