Solar Air Conditioning System

Erika Said:

Can you use small solar panals to power a small Air Conditioning unit?

We Answered:

No.

Glen Said:

Trying to find out what brand of air conditioning unit is. There's no name shown, but the sticker on top...?

We Answered:

Is there a number on the sticker? If so, it might be a model number. You can go to this site: http://www.apwagner.com/ and enter it into the model number search box.

If you need a part, it will tell you what the part number you need fothat model and you can order it online.

Some companies have bought up other companies over the year, so one company manufacturers parts for all these "former" companies. Example: Maytag is owned by Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool Corporation markets Acros, Admiral, Amana, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Caloric, Crosley, Dixie-Narco, Estate, Gaffers & Sattler.... you get the idea.

Terry Said:

Does not solar powered Air Conditioning systems make sense?

We Answered:

A 10,000 BTU air conditioner enough for a large room consumes 1200 watts per hour. 1200 x 24 hours= 28,800 watts per day.

28,8000 watts/6 hours of sunlight max=4800 watts

At $5.00 per watt of solar panels it would cost $24,000.00 just for the panels. You can add another $$8000.00 to that for pure sinewave inverter, charge controller, meter, wires and batteries (conservative estimate).

For $32,000.00 you can run just the air conditioner. That's why people shy away from solar power. Most cannot afford the cost.

Rita Said:

Is there any company which builds a solar powered Air conditioning / refrigeration system?

We Answered:

A quick google search found the SolaCool evaporative system (link below) but an evaporative system isn't always viable in a very humid climate. Essentially, any a/c system is "solar powered" if you have a photovoltaic system installed in your home. In effect, solar power works best at the time of day when you most need a/c.
With net metering you don't need a bank of batteries to benefit from solar power.
The best solution is to design the architecture of a building to use natural convection currents caused by sunshine, but most existing homes are not that way. I have seen some great designs in Arizona that do this.

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