Rebar
New Member
Hey gang! New to the forum and would really appreciated some help. I run a small farm in Michigan and am currently building a honeybee therapy tiny cabin. It consist of two beds that have honeybee colonies inside. The beds have holes in them with screen covering so the bees can't get into the structure, but when you lay down on the beds, you are immersed in the scents, sounds, and vibration the colonies make. I have already built the beds and am planning the build of the cabin itself, trying to keep the area small, one story. The dream is to have a small sound system inside as well as ambient lighting, a fan for cooling on hot days, etcetera. I will build it in a location that would offer privacy if guests use it, which will be off grid on the back woods/ meadows of the farm. The lean-to style roof will be adequate to accommodate 6 solar panels and could be designed with optimal pitch and south facing in full sun. I came across a super deal on new solar panels last year and bought a pallet full. These are Q Cells, 340 watts each (no micro inverters). I was gifted two batteries, 12v, (specs attached). The cable length should be able to stay within 10 feet with a charge controller installed inside the cabin.
I was considering the Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT MC4 VE.Can 250V 85 amp 12/24/36/48-Volt Solar Charge Controller. Although using the Victron calculator it seems that this wouldn't be enough for six panels. I am completely new to solar and am asking for advice going forward. Is this arrangement most likely overkill? Would you go with something smaller/ less panels? Would you configure in series or parallel or combination? Would a different type of CC make more sense? Is a very small basic inverter adequate to power just a few things?
Lots of questions I know, Thank you!
I was considering the Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT MC4 VE.Can 250V 85 amp 12/24/36/48-Volt Solar Charge Controller. Although using the Victron calculator it seems that this wouldn't be enough for six panels. I am completely new to solar and am asking for advice going forward. Is this arrangement most likely overkill? Would you go with something smaller/ less panels? Would you configure in series or parallel or combination? Would a different type of CC make more sense? Is a very small basic inverter adequate to power just a few things?
Lots of questions I know, Thank you!
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