A continual/reliable supply of electricity is possible, even if you keep your chickens on an allotment where no electrical supply is available. A solar panel connected to a solar power station with a 230 V AC voltage output is possibly the best solution available. It’s certainly not the only option, but the ongoing running costs of petrol, diesel and LPG (on top of the initial outlay for the generator) will, over time far outweigh the up-front cost of solar. Solar energy, unlike diesel, petrol and gas generators, once the initial expense is out of the way, the cost to generate AC power for your coop is zero and you can have timed lighting and heating on tap (so to speak). A better way to look at it as paying for your electricity upfront.

 

Is the cost of setting up a solar generator worth it to look after your chickens? That’s a question only the individual can answer, every backyard chicken keeper places a different value on their birds. But if you are off grid and need the power, solar generators are a worthwhile investment despite the high upfront cost. Solar can provide a sustainable source of energy to areas that would otherwise have no access to electricity, offer significant long-term savings, and the convenience of portability and low maintenance.

 

If decide is the way forward for you and you’re not technically minded, the easiest way start is to buy a bundle that includes a Portable Solar Power Station complete with compatible Solar Charging Panels (click here). However, if you want options to buy a Power Station and Solar Panel separate and have the option to expand your power supply or charging capacity (click here), we have that available also. 

 

The first thing you need to do is establish how many Watts your setup is likely to consume per hour. A watt describes the rate of power flow. A good way of visualising it is to compare it to the rate of flow of water through a garden hose.

 

How to Decide the Right Size of Solar Generator for Power Tools

Follow these detailed steps to choose the right solar generator size for your power needs:

 

1. List Your items and Their Wattages: Start by compiling a list of items. For each item, note down the rated power (in watts) typically found on the items label or in the user manual. Remember to consider both the running wattage and the starting (surge) wattage, especially for tools with electric motors.

2. Calculate Total Power Requirements: Add up the running wattages of all the items you might use simultaneously. This gives you the baseline power requirement. However, if you will be using items sequentially rather than all at once, consider the item with the highest wattage as your base requirement.

3. Important Note: Account for Starting (Surge) Wattage: If you intend to use electrical tools with motors, these can require up to three times their rated power when starting up (Starting Surge). Ensure the peak (surge) capacity of the solar generator can handle the highest surge required by your tools.

4. Add a Safety Margin: To prevent overloading and to accommodate potential additional tools or future needs, add a 20-30% safety margin to your total power requirement. This will also help with the longevity of the solar generator. It’s imperative when operating in off-grid areas for prolonged periods to consider a solar generator with a large battery capacity and efficient solar panels, ensuring continuous operation and adequate recharging capabilities.

5. Evaluate Duration of Use and Battery Capacity: Consider how long you will use your tools between charging periods. This will help determine the necessary battery capacity (measured in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours). Calculate the total watt-hours needed by multiplying the total wattage by the number of hours of use.

6. Consider Solar Input and Recharging Time: Check the solar input capacity of the generator and the average sunlight hours available in your area. This ensures that the solar generator can recharge effectively during daylight to meet your power needs. When operating off-grid, it's important that you have solar panels of sufficient output to be able to keep your power station sufficiently charged to a level at which it can operate over the time periods that you need.