How to Run an AC Unit on Solar Power

With each passing day, it seems as though more and more people are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment or distance themselves from reliance the local power grid. Of course, even as people move toward self-sufficiency, they still want to remain as comfortable as possible throughout the year. During the summer, that often means turning on the air conditioning.

Over the last several years, solar panels have become an increasingly popular energy option. For those people looking for energy independence, but who still want to run their AC, the question arises: is it possible to run an AC unit entirely on solar power in Houston, TX? Read on to learn more.

The popularity of solar

With the rise of renewable energy sources, solar power has seen an enormous uptick in popularity. Year after year, solar is getting cheaper, and it seems as though more and more people are adding their own solar panels to their homes with the goal of reducing their impact on the environment and saving a few bucks on their monthly utility bills.

As solar power becomes more common, however, some questions have arisen about its viability in certain situations and for particular needs.

The power question

The trickiest aspect of using a solar-powered air conditioner in Houston, TX is having the ability to generate enough power to turn it on. As you might expect, large appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators require a tremendous amount of power to start. Then, as the motor turns on to continue operating, the AC still requires a large amount of power to keep going.

Take, for example, a 150-watt power solar panel with dimensions of about 58” x 26” and a cost of $740 plus shipping. If the air conditioner/heater needs roughly 1900 watts and running wattage of 1500, it would take a minimum of 10 panels just to keep the AC running, and with the inrush current demand for startup, the battery bank would have to be huge.

That may not be an issue for a home that requires little wattage to run and has its own connection to the grid, but in a motor home or recreational vehicle, such a solar setup is basically infeasible.

Your power ally

If you’re thinking about running an AC unit on solar power in Houston, TX, come to the experts who will give it to you straight. At Texford Battery Co., we take immense pride in our extensive knowledge of batteries. It’s that knowledge that has allowed us to remain one of the fixtures of Houston’s industrial business scene since 1931.

Over the course of our decades in business, Texford Battery Co. has worked to be an industry leader in the supply and distribution of batteries. We want to make sure that each of our customers is getting the right product at a great price, regardless of what they need to power. From car batteries to walkie-talkie batteries to laptop batteries, we have it all.

Give us a call or visit us online today to find out how Texford Battery Co. can get you charged and ready to go.

Categorised in: Solar Panel Positioning

This post was written by Writer