Dehumidifiers have a bad reputation for being energy hogs, but newer models are more energy efficient. You’ll need the correct gear and specifications to run a dehumidifier on solar power.
A dehumidifier can run for 12 hours a day on a 300 watt solar panel and 200 ah battery. The ordinary 30 pint dehumidifier consumes 300 watts, but larger ones consume up to 700 watts, necessitating the usage of extra solar energy.
How to Calculate Dehumidifier Solar Power Needs
Although dehumidifiers exist in a variety of sizes and types, the formula for estimating power usage remains the same. We’ll look at typical dehumidifier sizes later, but first, let’s go over the math.
Solar panel and battery power required = dehumidifier watts per hour x running time
Dehumidifiers in the home need between 280 and 300 watts per hour. If there is enough sunlight, a 300W Renogy solar panel kit can keep the dehumidifier running for 5 to 6 hours.
However, most dehumidifiers must operate for at least 12 hours to be effective. You will only get 5 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, which is insufficient.
You’ll need a battery bank to replace the solar panels in order to keep the dehumidifier running. When fully depleted, a 100ah battery produces 1200 watts. Even if you do a 50% DOD, you’ll still have 600 watts left.
It is necessary to operate a dehumidifier for 12 hours. It uses 3600 watts per hour if it consumes 300 watts per hour. A 300W solar panel can generate 1500 watts, while a 200ah 12V battery can generate 2400 watts, which is sufficient to run the dehumidifier for the required duration.
To summarize, multiply the dehumidifier’s wattage by the duration it has been running. As a result, the bare minimum of solar energy is required. Because solar panels cannot operate at night, you must use a battery to supply the power.
Which Dehumidifier Size Works with Solar Panels?
The appropriate solar panel size is determined by the amount of time you use the dehumidifier and its capacity. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution in this case.
In clear weather, a 350W solar panel can run 20-30 pint dehumidifiers for at least 5 hours. To run a large dehumidifier, you’ll need more solar electricity. The most common dehumidifiers and their power needs are shown in this table.
Solar Panel Size For Dehumidifier
Because most household dehumidifiers have a capacity of 20 to 50 pints, their power consumption ranges from 280 to 600 watts. The dehumidifier will use a lot of solar power if it is too big. It won’t be able to generate enough humidity if it’s too little.
You can figure out which solar panel size is best for your dehumidifier using the table above. Keep in mind that these are the bare minimums, and going for a larger size is a smart idea. Details about power usage can be found in your dehumidifier’s documentation.
How Long Will My Solar Panels Run a Dehumidifier?
The runtime is dependent on the weather, the solar panel, and the sun, much like any other solar-powered equipment.
Consider a standard dehumidifier that runs at 280 watts per hour for 12 hours. 3360 watts is the overall power consumption.
With five hours of sunlight, a 300 watt solar panel can produce 1500 watts. However, some days you may get 4, 6, 7, or 8 hours of solar. If you get 7 hours of sun on a daily basis, your production can exceed 2100 watts. However, if just four hours are available, the power can be reduced to 1200 watts.
This has a direct impact on the battery size required. With a 300W solar panel and a 200ah battery, a 280W dehumidifier can run for 12 hours, according to our calculations.
This assumes the dehumidifier runs for five hours on the solar panel and seven hours on the batteries. You can get away with a lower battery if there are more sun hours available. You’ll require extra battery power if sunlight is scarce.
A solar panel may create 2400 watts if your area receives 8 hours of sunlight. The remaining power required by the dehumidifier can be supplied by a 100ah 12V battery.
Solar Panel Output Variability
Even if there is 8 hours of sunlight, the panels will not create the full amount of power. Although ideal weather makes it more likely, solar electricity output is influenced by a variety of factors.
A 350 watt solar panel can produce 350 watts in ideal weather circumstances. But how long will it last? It should ideally be for as long as the sun is visible. However, this is not how solar energy works.
The watt ratings of solar panels are based on the greatest output achieved in a laboratory under controlled conditions. So a solar panel rated at 250 watts has a maximum output of 250 watts.
In theory, a 300 watt solar panel can convert up to 300 watts every hour. In reality, that is most likely when the sun is at its brightest. However, as the sun’s position in the sky changes, the panel’s energy conversion rates decrease.
Under these circumstances, the solar panel should produce a lot of energy. Expect good production during the summer, enough to run a dehumidifier for many hours.
How Many Batteries Do I Need to Run a Dehumidifier?
Solar panels are fantastic, but there is no power without the sun. This is where the batteries come in handy.
- Solar panels are used to power it. The device shifts to batteries as the sun sets.
- Use batteries to power the dehumidifier. To replenish the battery, use the solar panels.
The solar panels will not directly power the dehumidifier in the second situation. On the batteries, it will run indefinitely.
- A 300W solar panel and a 200ah battery can power a 20 pint dehumidifier for 12 hours in scenario 1.
- A 12V 300ah or 24V 150ah battery is required in scenario 2. This is plenty to run the dehumidifier for 12 hours. The Ampere Time 300ah 12V LiFePO4 battery is ideal for this application.
When the battery in scenario 2 runs out, it can be recharged using AC power or a 3600 watt solar array. To recharge a 300ah battery in 4 to 5 hours, you’ll need three 300W solar panels.
It is preferable to run a dehumidifier on batteries rather than solar panels. For starters, you are not reliant on the sun. Two, you don’t have to be concerned about power outages caused by overcast sky or rain. Three, there is no need to swap systems.
Fourth, most dehumidifiers perform best between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Because there is no solar power, you must rely solely on the batteries.
Battery Depth of Discharge and Usage Explained
There are two things to keep in mind if you opt to run a dehumidifier on batteries. The dehumidifier’s discharge depth and the length of time it will be used.
Let’s say you have a dehumidifier that you wish to operate for 12 hours a day. How many batteries are you going to need? What is the number of solar panels required to recharge them?
To run a dehumidifier for 12 hours a day, every day, you’ll need a 1200ah battery bank. To recharge the batteries in one day, you’ll also need 4 x 300W solar panels.
A 12V 300ah battery is required to power a 300 watt dehumidifier for 12 hours. Use a 3600 watt solar array to recharge the battery when it runs out.
However, another 300ah battery is required to keep the dehumidifier running. When one of them runs out, you can switch to the other. However, if the batteries are lead acid, this will entirely discharge them, which is a no-no. If you wish to charge at 50%, you’ll need to increase the capacity to 600ah.
These figures assume you’ll only use the dehumidifier with the batteries and solar panels. If you want to run more appliances, you’ll need a much larger solar power system.
Conclusion
Running a dehumidifier on solar is no longer as expensive as it once was. If you want to give it a shot, figure out how big your dehumidifier should be and whether your solar panels and batteries are big enough.
What appliances can be powered by solar energy?
Can I use solar to power my air conditioner, refrigerator, and water pump? If you’re looking for a list of solar-powered appliances, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ll look at what you can do with solar panels in this post, specifically what you can do (power) with 1 kW solar panels.
On a solar on grid system, you can run any device for any amount of hours, such as an air conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator, or water pump (No battery system).
However, because you have limited storage with a solar off grid system (battery-based system), you can only power a limited number of appliances for a limited number of hours.
On a solar off grid system, you can certainly run high-power appliances like an air conditioner, but you’ll need a lot of battery storage, which will raise the project cost and maintenance costs.
What am I able to do with solar panels? The quick answer is that solar panels can power anything, including your air conditioner, water pump, and lift.
What appliances you can power with solar panels is determined by the system with which you connect your solar panels.
Is it possible for a solar panel to overcharge a battery?
There are many different types of batteries for a variety of uses, ranging from flashlights to powerful 12 volt vehicle batteries.
The voltage of the panel output and the voltage of the battery you’re connecting to are the two most significant elements to consider.
A solar panel can, on average, overcharge a battery. The charge rate is determined by the voltage of the solar panels, the output current, and the voltage of the battery. Using a solar charge controller prevents overcharging.
Do solar panels capture water from humid air?
The panels generate heat from sunlight, allowing them to absorb water vapor from the air. Friesen wouldn’t say what materials were utilized in the panels, but said they have a perfect humidity binding energy.
To run a solar fridge, how many solar panels do I need?
The average residential refrigerator consumes 350 kWh of electricity per year, which would require 300 watts of solar panels to power.
Cost
The cost of purchasing a solar system is relatively expensive at first. Solar panels, inverters, batteries, wiring, and installation are all included in this cost. Nonetheless, because solar technology is continually improving, it’s realistic to predict that prices will continue to fall in the future.
Weather-Dependent
Although solar energy can be collected during overcast and rainy days, the solar system’s efficiency is reduced. Solar panels must be exposed to sunlight in order to collect solar energy. As a result, a couple of overcast, rainy days can have a significant impact on the energy system. It’s also important to remember that solar energy cannot be collected at night.
Thermodynamic panels, on the other hand, are an option to consider if you need your water heating solution to work at night or during the winter.
Check out our video for a breakdown of how effective solar panels are in the winter:
Is it possible to run a washing machine on solar energy?
The information you require can be found on the back of your washer or in the owner’s handbook.
The amount of solar electricity you require will be determined by the number of watts your machine consumes.
Smaller variants utilize only 150 watts per load, while more technically advanced models can use up to 1500 watts per load.
The number of watts required can be estimated using the load calculation and the number of days in a week.
When one solar panel produces 300 watts of solar energy per hour, this is the equivalent of ramping up, washing, and spinning one full-size load of laundry.
The generator must be able to power the solar panel in order for it to function.
The charge controller is the generator’s brain. Its primary function is to safeguard and reinforce the battery’s care.
This is a critical function since the battery stores all of the energy generated by the solar panel.
While these processes appear to be straightforward and reasonable, they can lead to a slew of complex issues.
Solar-powered washing machines are popular for off-grid use and are suited for small loads.
They can be utilized in a home to reduce the amount of fossil-fuel-generated electricity needed.
If you wash three times a week and charge more than seven kilograms at a time, a battery-powered sun machine may not be the most efficient solution because the battery could easily fail due to constant use.
RVs and tiny homes, on the other hand, can benefit from this type of unit and save money on fossil fuels.
The number of solar panels required is determined by the amount of electricity consumed.
For apartments or RV travel, a solar-powered washing machine is still energy-efficient, compact, and lightweight.
Any device, whether self-contained or part of a whole-house system, can be set up to be solar-powered.
The price difference between a standard washer and dryer and a solar washer and dryer is minimal.
When utilizing electricity, the cost of washing a load of clothes is around 17 cents per load.
This is less than a dryer that uses 45 cents of power and runs for 40 minutes.
When compared to solar power, this may not seem like much, but when you’re pushed off the grid, anything is a luxury.
If your washing machine is on its last legs, consider upgrading to a new solar-powered washer and dryer and comparing the results.
Wash clothing in cold water and use a machine with simple settings to save even more electricity.
When the batteries are depleted, what happens to solar power?
When the battery bank is full, the solar system’s power is no longer absorbed. The solar panels will continue to create voltage, but it will not be used or stored until there is a demand for energy or sufficient battery capacity.
Is it possible for a solar battery to explode?
It is extremely unusual that your battery will reach a temperature that is outside of its operational range. However, if it does, most of what was discussed in the previous part will be produced. It’s possible that the batteries will explode.
Is it possible to connect a solar panel to a battery directly?
A solar panel can be connected directly to a 12 volt automobile battery, but if the power output is greater than 5 watts, it must be monitored. Solar panels with a power rating greater than 5 watts must be linked to a battery via a solar charge controller to avoid overcharging.
In my experience, theory rarely stands up to real-world testing, so I’ll connect a solar panel directly to a partially depleted deep-cycle lead-acid battery and use a solar charge controller to compare voltage and current. Go straight to the test results.
Before that, I’ll go over some theory learning is beneficial because it clarifies things!
What are the prices of Hydropanels?
A typical SOURCE array consists of two Hydropanels, with a project cost of between $5,500 and $6,500*. (including shipping, installation, and tax).
Standard installation varies depending on your home’s needs and region. Your SOURCE will supply you with a case of wonderful water per day, or 12 standard bottles, for less than $0.15 per bottle, for the course of its 15-year life. The cost of the Hydropanel is deducted from your risk-free deposit.
*This estimate is based on shipping and installation costs in the continental United States. Orders placed outside of the United States will vary depending on the area. Based on the production of at least 6 liters per day by two (2) Hydropanels, or the equivalent of twelve 500mL bottles of water.