Direct DC Solar Heating Solutions
you know you can run a space heater directly connected to your solar panels without expensive storage batteries a battery regulator or an AC inverter the electrical potential of the solar panels is in DC current and can power a load of many light bulbs the combined voltage potential of the four solar panels is 160 volts DC with open circuit however the voltage will drop below that once a heavy load is connected to it each individual solar panel can generate 400 watts of electrical energy for a total of 1600 Watts this is a 1200 watt space heater that works very well in DC current however it will not oscillate since it requires AC current to do so this setup can provide 4 800 watts of free heat into your home in 4 hours of direct sunlight which can help you save money on heating
Oil-Filled Heater Option
this is an oil filled space heater that also works very well in DC current since there's no moving parts and it's probably the safest option because the heating coil is concealed inside the heater this heater takes about five to ten minutes to get very hot and it can generate six thousand watts of free heat and 4 hours of direct sunlight
Incompatible Heater Types
this heater does not work because it has an AC fan that cannot work on DC and also because of its sophisticated AC circuit board as opposed to a simple on and off switch
System Costs and Power After Dark
if you'd like to use the power on demand after dark a six kilowatt per hour deep cycle battery can cost around two thousand dollars you will also need a solar charge controller and of course you will also need a 2000 watt AC inverter and finally new 1600 watt solar panels can run you up to two thousand dollars and the entire system will cost you forty five hundred dollars we purchased four used solar panels at fifty dollars each for a total of two hundred dollars
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Technical Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Combined Solar Panel Voltage (Open Circuit) | 160 volts DC (for four panels) |
| Individual Solar Panel Generation | 400 watts |
| Total Solar Panel Generation | 1600 Watts (for four panels) |
| 1200W Space Heater Compatibility | Works very well in DC current (will not oscillate) |
| 1200W Space Heater Heat Output | 4,800 watts of free heat in 4 hours of direct sunlight |
| Oil-Filled Space Heater Compatibility | Works very well in DC current (no moving parts, heating coil concealed) |
| Oil-Filled Space Heater Heat Output | 6,000 watts of free heat in 4 hours of direct sunlight |
| Incompatible Heater Types | AC fan heaters or those with sophisticated AC circuit boards |
| Deep Cycle Battery (for after-dark) | 6 kilowatt per hour (approx. $2000) |
| AC Inverter (for after-dark) | 2000 watt (required with battery) |
| New 1600W Solar Panels Cost | Up to $2000 |
| Entire New System Cost | $4500 (with new panels, battery, inverter, charge controller) |
| Used Solar Panels Cost (4 panels) | $200 ($50 each) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a direct DC solar heater for a shed without expensive storage batteries?
A: Yes, you can run certain DC-compatible space heaters directly connected to your solar panels, providing heat during direct sunlight without the need for expensive storage batteries, battery regulators, or AC inverters. This setup allows for "free heat" when the sun is out.
Q: What kind of solar heater is considered safest for a shed if I'm using a direct DC connection?
A: An oil-filled space heater is mentioned as probably the safest option for a direct DC setup in a shed because it has no moving parts and its heating coil is concealed inside the heater. It also works very well in DC current, heating up in about five to ten minutes.
Q: How much heat can a direct DC solar setup provide for a shed?
A: A 1200-watt DC-compatible space heater can provide 4,800 watts of free heat in 4 hours of direct sunlight. An oil-filled heater, which is also DC-compatible, can generate even more, up to 6,000 watts of free heat in 4 hours of direct sunlight.