Solar panels can power lots of home appliances, a refrigerator will belong to a place on the top of the list. But the question is can a 100 watt solar panel run a refrigerator smoothly? How many of them need to install?
All you need to know the watt not the number of the panel. A refrigerator needs constant power to run. But the required power depends on the use of a refrigerator.
Install the solar panel with the right configuration and you’ll be able to run the refrigerator. There is some homework you need to do before installing the panel. Let’s get some common knowledge about it.
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Table of Contents
How Much Solar Power Do I Need To Run A Refrigerator?
People now want to switch the alternative power source to run their common home appliance. Some of them are power consuming and some are not.
In terms of running the refrigerator, many questions arise, like how many watts we need, what type of panel can cover it, and how many panels need to install.
Remember, using solar panels for refrigerators isn’t difficult. Now it’s not wondering anymore. If you know how to install solar panels for refrigerators, then consult with a professional.
From here, every piece of information will help you take the necessary steps quickly and effectively. But we suggest, don’t use solar panels only to run your refrigerator. Use a full set of panels that can also power your other home appliances.
Running A refrigerator, A 100-watt Solar Panel Is Enough or Not?
Yes, it is enough but there are a few things you should know. We are assuming that you already have a battery and inverter. The inverter should be 10 times more powerful than the actual wattage needed to run a refrigerator. If the fridge needs 150 watts, then pick an inverter of 1500 watt inverter.
On the other hand, a 24 volt or 12 volts DC fridge doesn’t need such an inverter. Running other home appliances does not make the thing difficult as the fridge does.
The power consumption status of this identical appliance depends on the condition (Old or new) and how much food is stored in it.
What Do We Need To Do To Run A Refrigerator Using A Solar Panel?
A few things you must need to consider using a 100-watt solar panel to run a refrigerator perfectly. It demands a continuous power supply. Otherwise, all the food you keep safe in the fridge won’t get enough cool.
Based on this theory, everyone will agree a solar panel is not a fully reliable option of the power source. But picking the right solar panel can do everything right for your refrigerator. If you have already finished the calculation of the required power, then install the solar panel.
Let’s follow all the steps to set a solar panel for the refrigerator.
Install The Solar Panel and Complete The Setup:
First of all, you need several devices in addition to complete the full solar power setup. For the refrigerator, you can’t just set the panel.
First of all, collect a battery. This one will support your refrigerator to get enough power, especially when there is no power coming from the solar. It can happen when the cloud blocks the sun completely. But what size battery to run fridge? Most of the batteries provide 12 volts of electric energy.
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We measure it amp per hour. This measuring system helps to detect battery capacity. Even it helps to determine how long it can provide the energy considering the amperes. For the refrigerator most typical batteries are usable.
Another thing you need is the charge controller. This device helps to flow the power smoothly. But this flow is not for the refrigerator. It provides power from the panel to the batter.
Most of the time the power fluctuates for many reasons and it can damage the battery. The charge controller also protects the battery from such problems. To get the proper voltage and current, the charge controller works perfectly.
Last, you need a power inverter to run the refrigerator. This one is for converting DC current to AC power. Remember, the refrigerator doesn’t need DC power to run, it needs AC power all the time. So, without an inverter, you can get such power.
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Calculate Power Consumption Rate of The Refrigerator
Without perfect solar configuration, you can run a refrigerator. Most of the solar power needs to install based on the average power consumed by a refrigerator. There is some specific way to determine how much power your refrigerator requires.
First of all, check the rating from the nameplate. This nameplate is somewhere inside the fridge. On this nameplate, there is information that is already given like the appliance’s voltage and current demand. It’s easy and simple to find when you get the data about volts and amps from the nameplate.
If it shows 115 volts and 4.5 amps of current that means you need 517.5 watts of power. You just need to multiply these two figures. The answer is your calculated power that you must provide through solar panels.
Power Usages and Its Fluctuation Rate
To power your refrigerator through the solar panel, users need to get a clear idea about the usage of power and the fluctuation rate related to it. Remember, a refrigerator consumes power in several ways. It depends on the operating condition of it.
The number of items you kept inside the refrigerator and the room temperature also influence the required power. If the item is still cool and the room as well, then the refrigerator won’t turn on often. It will remain silent.
The fact is, when the refrigerator starts up, the power consumption rate will be three times than the normal usage.
After it is turned on, it doesn’t need such power. Your refrigerator will run consuming the power mentioned in the nameplate.
100 Watt Solar Panel Will Run What Appliances?
Sometimes it becomes necessary to understand the overall power distribution system of a solar panel. Because it can run different home appliances. If you use a 100-watt solar panel daily basis, then it can run lots of small devices.
But using this solar panel also depends on the charge controller and the battery. These two things can limit the power of a 100-watt solar panel even you can’t run a refrigerator as well.
You can connect a 100-watt solar panel system with deep cycle batteries, then you’ll get some benefits. It’ll allow you to run more things. Let’s check the list below to find out which appliance you can run.
- Smartphone charging (5 Wh)
- LEDs (10 Wh)
- Ceiling fan (35 Wh)
- Laptop (60 Wh)
- Lamps and lighting (14 Wh)
- WiFi Router (6Wh)
Now you know that different types of appliances need different types of watts as power. We just mention a few of them. There are many more to discuss. All these consumption figures will help you to set solar panels.
For the specific power consumption rate, you need to check your product nameplate. If you set proper solar panels with equipment after calculating the required power, running power-consuming appliances like refrigerators will be easy.
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FAQ:
Answer: To run a refrigerator perfectly you need four solar panels. If you want to use the average solar panel then the number could be higher.
Answer: A 100-watt solar panel can produce 500 watts of power per day. This power can charge your laptop for the next 10 hours.
Answer: Yes, it is possible. But you can do it using a 110ah battery. Connect the solar panel to the battery. But the 12v fridge should have a compressor type.
Answer: The average power consumption rate for the typical refrigerator is 300 kWh per hour. If you use a 12 volt 100 amp battery, then it will provide enough power to run your refrigerator for 30 to 35 hours.
Answer: Inverter can convert the DC power to AC (120-Volt) power. This power is needed to run different home appliances. Some inverters come with enough capacity to operate a refrigerator.
Conclusion:
From the beginning, you didn’t know that, can a 100 watt solar panel run a refrigerator or not? Now you know every little thing about it after knowing the information I’ve shared with you. The answer is simple because the question was.
As you know, your solar panel is an additional and reliable power source that helps to run your appliances. That means using this type of power can run different power-consuming appliances like the refrigerator.
To keep your fridge ice cold all the time, a solar panel is the last solution when you have no other option to keep it cool.
