How many solar panels do I need to power a refrigerator?
If you’re ready to make the switch to solar energy, there’s a lot to learn. Calculating how much energy your solar panel system produces in comparison to how much you require requires some arithmetic, but it’s not difficult.
“How many solar panels do I need to power a refrigerator?” you may inquire. Let us investigate.
How many solar panels do I need to power a refrigerator?
In short, you need 2-4 solar panels to power a common refrigerator. The average refrigerator found in the United States uses approximately 57 kWh per month while the average freezer uses 58 kWh. Adding those together brings a combined total of 115 kWh.
How to determine the wattage of your solar panels
The amount of solar power produced by your solar panels is determined by a variety of factors, including the panels themselves, your configuration, and the weather. During peak production, the average domestic solar panel generates at least 250 watts (1).
A solar panel producing 250 watts for four hours per day equals one kWh.
(250 x 4 รท 1000)
How to determine the wattage of your refrigerator
Your refrigerator may contain an Energy Rating sticker that estimates the average kWh used per year (2). If not, consult the user handbook for more details.
Divide the annual usage by 365 to find out how many kWh your refrigerator uses in a day.
How many solar panels do I need to power a refrigerator?
Subtract the energy consumed from the energy produced.
The rest is simple now that you know how much energy you produce and how much energy you require. Simply divide the energy required by the energy produced to determine the number of solar panels necessary.
As an example:
Your refrigerator consumes 2 kWh every day.
Your solar panel generates 1 kWh per day 2 1 = 2, thus you will need two solar panels to power your fridge.
How many solar panels do I need to power a full-sized refrigerator?
Because panel output and refrigerator use vary, you’ll need to apply the equations above to figure how many solar panels you’ll need to power a full-sized fridge. However, you may calculate your kilowatt-hour use to get an indication of how many solar panels the average refrigerator will require.
Using the following formula, you may calculate your ref’s daily consumption: (Wattage Hours Used Per Day) 1000 = Kilowatt-hours Per Day (kWh)
Assume your refrigerator consumes 700 kWh per year, or around 1.9 kWh per day. If your solar panels generate 1 kWh each day, you’ll need two panels to solar power a full-sized refrigerator.
How many solar panels do I need to power a small refrigerator?
Refrigerators, solar panels, and solar charge controllers have all gotten more energy-efficient over the years, and you can now use solar energy to power even huge refrigerators.
Isn’t that reasonable? If yes, you should read “What is an umbrella policy for solar panels?” and start buying solar panels.
If you want to reduce your energy consumption even further, consider purchasing a compact refrigerator that uses almost no energy. For example, the Midea model in our Best Solar Refrigerator of 2021 review requires only 80 watts to function.
Because a tiny, energy-efficient refrigerator uses very little energy, the ordinary solar panel will often produce enough power to power it.
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