Solar Power

I have a few outhouses that I would like to convert to be suitable for chickens as well as other things, the only problem is getting electricity to it is impossible, the building themselves are very old and isolated.

Just a stab in the dark (and more curiosity towards renewable energy) but has anyone here built a low cost solar panel setup? either bought or built yourself to a degree? really its only purpose would be to switch on light bulbs! so im thinking I will need the solar panel and battery to be charged, including wiring etc

I havent yet looked into this in a great deal, but would be great to hear from anyone here thats tried it or can point me to some useful resources, thanks! Warning I am no electrician!

 

Found this article which may be of help, Greecko.

 

I've got 12volt back up lighting powered by a solar panel, it runs 8 watt strip lights, same as you get in caravans.

Panel cost about £220, it charges 2 leisure batteries which were about £60 each.

Wiring is quite straightforward, panel kit comes with instructions.

Cheaper alternative is to get battery powered lights and rechargable batteries.

 

Thanks Mum for the article, interesting read.

I was thinking just that Zigs, batteries will be much simpler and cheaper.

However I would like to go down the solar route in future, for curiosity sake. Have you found any issues using solar? and what size is your panel? presume its quite sizeable if its powering a few 8 watt bulbs? though suppose depends on the number

 

I think its 18 watt, its about 2 foot by 1. It would drain the batteries if you left the lights on all night, but its fine for power cuts, which we do get around here, lots of trees to hit the power lines.