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Genuine question: isn't an inverter an unnecessary cost and relatively inefficient versus a lower voltage light (i.e. roughly matching the battery)?
by mft_ 3y ago
Genuine question: isn't an inverter an unnecessary cost and relatively inefficient versus a lower voltage light (i.e. roughly matching the battery)?
- quechimba 3y agoI read somewhere that a DC to AC inverter wastes 5-15% of the energy. I guess what is needed to run lights would be a solar panel, a battery and an MPPT controller.
- rektide 3y agoAn inverter is an inefficiency & a cost, yes. Yet. It's daunting to me to imagine replacing well known infrastructure with something custom & different. You could try to get a bunch of automotive 12 & 24 lights but there won't be great fixtures. You also need 12v versions of most appliances; fans, fridges, others. Your upgrade capabilities also seem limited. If grid power does come, you might be stuck with a bunch of abornal choices. Your wire loss is much much higher with 1/10th the voltage or 10x the amps per wire, which limits scaling out on DC, is a counter-inefficiency that grows the bigger your system gets. I think it's a good idea. Personally if I built a small off grid home or RV I'd probably do 48vdc. But it'd be much more work & require a ton of expertise.
- mft_ 3y agoSure - agree that for a whole house, it’s far more complicated. I was more interested in you running “a light” at night with a LiPo and an inverter.