If you are a user of a 100-watt solar panel on a daily basis, then it can run lots of small devices.
Using this solar panel does depend on the charge controller and the battery - these things can limit the power of a 100 watt solar panel, so read on to find out the best ways to power your refrigerator.
What Can A Solar Panel Power?
Solar panels power a wide variety of home appliances, and a refrigerator would be at the top of this list. But, what we’re trying to work out is: can a 100 watt solar panel run a refrigerator smoothly? And, how many of them do you need to have installed?
What you need to know is the watt, not the number of panels. A refrigerator does need constant power in order to function, but the required power depends on the use of a refrigerator.
So, as long as you install the solar panel with the correct configuration then you will be able to run the refrigerator.
However, there are a few things you need to know before just installing a panel…
How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
Well, lots of people now want to switch to an alternative power source to run their common home appliances, and some of them are extremely power consuming but some are not.
As far as running a refrigerator goes, you may have a lot of questions about watts, the amount of panels you need, and whether it is a doable project.
Just remember: using solar panels for refrigerators is not difficult. But, of course if you are clueless about where to start with this then get in touch with a professional.
Our advice? Don’t just use solar panels to power your refrigerator, use a full set of panels that can also power your home appliances.
Is 100 Watts Enough?
The short answer to this question is YES. But, there are some things that you should know. You need a battery and an inverter - the inverter should be 10 times more powerful than the actual wattage that you need to run your refrigerator.
For example, if your refrigerator requires 150 watts of power then the wattage that your inverter needs would be 1500. The power consumption of this identical appliance is dependent on how old or new the refrigerator is and how much food is stored in it.
What Do You Need To Run A Refrigerator Using A Solar Panel?
So, there are a few things that you might want to consider before you decide to use a 100 watt solar panel to run a refrigerator. A refrigerator requires a continuous power supply, or your food will not be suitable for eating.
It is clear that a solar panel is not the most reliable power source. But, by choosing the right solar panel you can power your refrigerator successfully.
How To Install A Solar Panel
Well, in order to install a solar panel for your refrigerator, you will need several devices - read on for our easy step-by-step guide on how to install a solar panel.
- Collect a battery - this will support your refrigerator and ensure that it gets enough power, especially when no power comes from the solar, sadly the sun does not shine all the time.
- Collect a charge controller - this helps the power flow smoothly, but this flow is not for the refrigerator as it provides power from the panel to the batter. A lot of the time, the power will fluctuate and this can damage the battery, so the charge controller also protects the battery from this problem. The charge controller will help you get the proper voltage and current.
- Get a power inverter to run the refrigerator - this is to convert DC current to AC power. The refrigerator does not need DC power to run, it needs AC power all the time - without the inverter you cannot get such power.
Quick Maths: Calculating The Power Consumption Rate Of The Refrigerator
Without the perfect solar configuration, you can run a refrigerator! Most of the solar power needs to be installed based on average power consumed by a refrigerator, and there is a specific way where you can determine how much power your refrigerator requires.
So, you can work this out by firstly checking the rating from the nameplate, and you can find this inside the refrigerator. On this nameplate, there is information that is already provided such as the appliance’s voltage and current demand.
For example, if it shows 115 volts and 4.5 amps of current that means you need 517.5 watts of power. You need to multiply these figures, and the answer is your calculated power that you must provide through solar panels.
Power And Fluctuation
So, to power your refrigerator through the solar panel you need a clear idea about the usage of power and the fluctuation rate related to it. But, do not forget that a refrigerator uses power in several ways, and it depends on the operating condition of it.
Furthermore, the number of items that you keep inside your refrigerator and the room temperature also influence the required power. If the item is still cool as well as the room, the refrigerator won’t turn on often and it will remain silent.
When the refrigerator starts up,the power consumption rate will be more than the normal usage. After it is turned on, it does not need such power. The refrigerator will run, and will consume the power on the nameplate.
What Other Appliances Can The 100 Watt Solar Panel Power?
So, it can be helpful to understand the full power distribution system of a solar panel, because it can run many different home appliances, and if you use a 100 watt solar panel on a daily basis then it can run lots of smaller devices.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to understand the overall power distribution system of a solar panel due to the fact that 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.
You can connect a 100-watt solar panel system with deep cycle batteries, then you’ll get some benefits and it’ll allow you to power more things. Some examples are smartphones, lamps and the WiFi router.
So, different types of appliances require different levels of watts as power, but these consumption figures will help you set the solar panels. For the specific power consumption rate, check the product nameplate.
So, after exploring the ins and outs of solar panels - our final answer to the question: can a 100 watt solar panel run a refrigerator? That is a resounding YES.
Jeremiah Pike
I'm an environment and energy blogger who teaches outdoor and energy enthusiasts how to be better informed when it comes to purchasing or maintaining a generator, solar panel system, or anything else related to your energy needs.