How to build a Solar Power source?

[Samw]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

how did you get 40kWh? I get 15 for your set up. I could see you getting away with two 80 watt panels and a couple good deep cycle batteries. for your little pump it would be way more efficient to use a 12V one if you can find it.

Steve

Steve, I used the Load Calculator and punched in 55 watts at 24 hrs/day and at the bottom, it gave me 40 kWh/Month.

ie. 55*24*30/1000=39.6

I used the worse case scenario which is to have the heater running 24h/day. This might happen in the winter time.

I am considering now just having enough power to run the pump during the above 0C time of the year and forget the heater. If I have a deep enough pond, I think the water won't completely freeze in the winter (maybe just the top 2 inches) and I'll store the pump indoors so it doesn't break.