Save energy with 550W solar panels, connecting air conditioning, electric shower and other devices. Find out how to optimize consumption
Have you ever wondered if it is possible to run an air conditioner or a shower using solar energy with just a single plate? In this article, we will explore together what can be connected to a solar panel in a simple and uncomplicated way. To do this, we will divide our mission into two main steps.
Firstly, we will find out how much energy a solar panel is capable of generating in a day. In the second step, we will analyze the consumption of different equipment to check if the energy generated by the solar panel is enough to keep them turned on. Let's go!
What can you connect to a 550W solar panel?
Discovering the energy generated by the solar panel
To calculate the energy generated by a solar panel, we need some information. The first is the power of the solar panel, which in this case will be 550 watts peak. It is worth mentioning that there are several models of solar panels with different powers available on the market. Next, we need the average irradiation of the area where the solar panel will be installed. This irradiation represents the power of the sun that reaches the solar plate. In this example, we will consider the city of São Paulo, whose average irradiation is 4,64 kWh per square meter per day. To obtain this information, we consulted the Cresesb database.
Finally, we must take into account the efficiency of the photovoltaic system, which considers losses such as dirt, deviation from the ideal inclination angle and cabling losses, among other factors. In this case, we will consider an efficiency of 75%, taking into account a conservative average loss of 25%. Now that we have all the information in hand, we can calculate the energy generated daily by the solar panel. Using the formula: energy generated daily (in kWh) = plate power (in watts) x average daily solar irradiation (in kWh/m²) x system efficiency, we find a result of 1,914 kWh per day.
Analyzing equipment consumption
In the second step, we will analyze the consumption of different equipment and check whether the energy generated by the solar panel is enough to keep them turned on. Let's start with an example of a 9000 BTU air conditioner. According to Procel, this air conditioning model consumes 17,1 kWh per month when turned on for 1 hour per day. Doing the division, we arrive at a consumption of 0,57 kWh per hour. As our solar panel generates 1,914 kWh per day, it would be able to keep this air conditioning on for approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes per day.
Now, let's analyze the consumption of a shower. Considering a shower with a power of 5500 watts and a 20-minute bath per day, consumption would be 1,815 kWh. As the solar panel generates 1,914 kWh per day, it would be able to supply the consumption of this shower.
It is worth mentioning that these calculations can be applied to any equipment that you want to connect to the solar panel, such as a refrigerator, microwave or AirFryer. Simply substitute the equipment power and usage time in the formula mentioned above.
Planning your solar installation
In this article, we explore the possibility of connecting different equipment to a solar panel. Using the calculations of energy generated by the plate and equipment consumption, it was possible to verify whether the solar panel would be able to meet the energy demand of these equipment. However, it is important to highlight that to use the solar panel in practice, it is necessary to install a complete solar energy system, including inverter, protections and fixing structure.
Remember, solar energy is a source renewable and sustainable, capable of providing energy savings and autonomy. By using a solar panel, you will be contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Source: E4 Energias Renováveis, March 12th. 2024
