Disclaimer: I am not qualified in electrical work, please do your own research before applying any of the ideas in this blog.
Autumn is here!
That means that yields on solar energy sources will be reducing for the coming months, and that the camping season is also coming to an end.
Here are some examples of things i have done to affordably to improve my energy independence and learn how solar works.
Solar Ovens: These are really great things. Traditional solar panel setups waste a lot of energy. The photovoltaic cells themselves loose efficiency when temps get too high. Also AC inverters consume a lot of power especially if it's on all the time to power things continuously at 240v or on demand.
Luckily with solar ovens they use all the heat + convert the light to heat making them very efficient. Not to mention they are completely non electrical so they don't lose power with inverters, voltage drop, or battery storage etc.
Solar ovens are often not easy to find but its possible to DIY with easy to find components. I bought a folding solar oven that works really well. It has a vacuum tube with black copper mesh that traps heat reflected from the wing panels. It boils water, cooks rice and beans and can barbecue all within the same general time frame as a stove top in sunny conditions.
Solar Showers: Most people will know about solar showers already. They are generally inexpensive black or dark coloured PVC bags that have a hose attachment with a shower nozzle. They can be hung by a branch or taken inside and used in a regular shower in place of the house system. These are a great way to heat water cheaply for a range of purposes in a situation where you don't have power. Black buckets are also good. Water can be kept warm for longer when transferred to a chilly bin or insulate the container from the outside after heating.
Portable Solar Setups: These systems are great entry level into how solar works. They generally consist of panel(s), solar charge controller, battery(s) w/box, cables, and inverter/12v dc fuse box and fuses. These can be installed neatly into on complete package in a van, shed or a portable wooden box or panel.
Solar does have hazards which are important to understand. These relate to things like the battery (I'd avoid flooded lead acid), wiring things correctly and having the right gear and equipment i.e correct gauge wires, proper insulating tape/ heatshrinks/ soldering, suitable battery box, compatible components etc. It's important to research and/or consult an electrician about solar safety before starting. Read up on battery maintenance and safety.
If you don't want to bother with all that, you can get all-in-one systems or 'portable solar generators'. They are generally more expensive per ampere but are very easy to use. All that is required is plugging in some panels of the right voltage.
Electric solar setups are great for things like lighting and powering electronics, but in order to reliably power things like ovens, heaters, hot water cylinders etc it requires a big setup. Combining a smaller PV panel system with more heat friendly methods using dark materials and reflectors, it makes it possible to utilise solar very effectively without much expense.