How to Power Your Home 24/7 with Solar (Even During Rainy Season)
Many people in Nigeria are tired of depending on the national electricity. The light goes off without warning. Sometimes it can stay off for days. And when the light comes back, it may be low current or last only for a short time. That is why many homes are now using solar power.
Solar power is a clean and safe way to get electricity. It uses energy from the sun to power your lights, fans, TV, fridge, and even your pumping machine. The sun shines almost every day in Nigeria, making it a suitable resource to utilize. However, there is one big question that people often ask. Can solar power your home all day and all night, even during the rainy season?
The short answer is yes. You can power your house 24 hours a day, even during the rainy season. But it must be planned well. You need to install the right system and use your appliances wisely. This blog post will guide you step-by-step on how to power your home with solar all day and night, even when there is no sunlight for many days.
How Solar Works
Solar panels take energy from the sun. This energy is called solar energy. The solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity is used to power your home. But the panels do not send the power directly to your appliances. They send it to an inverter.
The inverter changes the power from the solar panel into the kind of power your appliances can use. This power then goes into your battery. The battery stores the energy. When the sun goes down, the battery now gives power to your home.
So, during the day, the sun charges your battery. At night, the battery powers your home. If you have a good system and a big enough battery, you can enjoy light all day and night.
How To Choose The Right Solar System
To enjoy power 24/7, you must install the right system. That means you must know the size of the solar panels, the inverter, and the battery that will work for your house.
Here is how to plan it.
First, know what you want to power
Make a list of all the things you want to power in your house. For example:
• 4 bulbs
• 2 ceiling fans
• 1 TV
• 1 decoder
• 1 fridge
• 1 water pump
Next, know how many hours you use them every day
Let’s say:
• Bulbs: 4 hours
• Fans: 6 hours
• TV and decoder: 5 hours
• Fridge: 24 hours
• Pumping machine: 1 hour
Now, calculate the power they use
Each appliance uses power measured in watts (W). You can find the watts written on the body of the appliance.
Let’s assume:
• Bulb: 10w × 4 bulbs = 40w
• Fan: 60w × 2 = 120w
• TV: 80w
• Decoder: 20w
• Fridge: 120w
• Water pump: 750w
Now, total all the power you use per day
Bulbs: 40w × 4 hours = 160wh
Fans: 120w × 6 hours = 720wh
Tv: 80w × 5 hours = 400 Wh
Decoder: 20w × 5 hours = 100wh
Fridge: 120w × 24 hours = 2880wh
Pump: 750w × 1 hour = 750wh
Total: 160 + 720 + 400 + 100 + 2880 + 750 = 5010 Wh, or 5.01 kWh per day
This means you need a system that can give at least 5.01 kWh of power every day.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for My House?
Now you need to choose the number of solar panels that can give you this power. A 300W solar panel gives about 1200 Wh per day in Nigeria. So, to get 5000 Wh, divide 5000 by 1200.
5000 ÷ 1200 = about 4.2
This means you need at least 5 panels of 300W to power your house for 24 hours.
How Many Batteries Do You Need
Now let’s talk about battery size. You need batteries that can store the power from the panels. The battery stores power during the day and gives it back at night or when there is no sun.
Your daily use is about 5kwh. You need batteries that can store at least that amount. If you use 12V batteries, then one 220 Ah battery stores about 2.64 kWh.
To get 5 kWh, multiply 2 by 2.64
2 * 2.64 = about 5.64Kwh
This means you need at least 3 batteries of 220 Ah 12V to power your house for 24 hours. You can also use 24V or 48V battery banks. These stores save more in costs in the long run.
What Size Inverter Do I Need?
An inverter is the brain of your solar system. It controls how the power is stored and used. You must choose one that can carry all your appliances. From your total load, your biggest load is when the fridge and the pumping machine are working. That’s about 120w + 750w = 870w.
Add other small things like fans and lights, you may reach about 1500W at once. So, you should use a 2kva inverter or higher to be safe.
How To Plan For Rainy And Cloudy Days
Now this is the main point. During rainy days, the sun may not shine very well. But that does not mean there is no sunlight at all. The light from the sky, even on cloudy days, is still enough to charge your panels, just slower.
To plan for this, do the following:
1. Increase Your Number Of Panels
If you use 5 panels normally, try using 6 or 7 panels. This way, even if the sun is not strong, you will still collect enough light to charge your battery fully.
2. Get a Bigger Battery Bank
If your battery can only last one day, you will run out of power on a very cloudy day. But if you have extra batteries, you can store more power ahead of time. This is called backup storage.
3. Use Energy-saving Devices
During the rainy season, try to reduce your power use. Use low-energy bulbs. Don’t iron clothes with solar. Don’t use an electric cooker. This helps your power last longer.
4. Keep Your Panels Clean
Rain may wash dust off, but sometimes it just makes the panels dirty. Clean your solar panels at least once every two weeks so that they collect light better.
5. Use MPPT Charge Controller
This is a special device that helps your panels work better even in low sunlight. It makes your system smarter.
6. Turn Off Heavy Appliances When Not Needed
If the weather is very cloudy for days, turn off the fridge for a few hours or reduce its load. This will help your power last.
How To Use Your Solar Power Wisely
Even if you have a strong solar system, the way you use your power matters a lot. Many people overuse their power and wonder why their battery runs down fast. Here are simple ways to use solar wisely
1. Switch off lights when not in use
2. Don’t charge phones or laptops all day
3. Iron all clothes at once with a generator if needed
4. Avoid using electric kettles or cookers
5. Reduce fan speed if the weather is cool
6. Unplug gadgets when not in use
7. Do not overload your inverter
Using your power wisely helps your battery last longer. It also helps you avoid blackouts during the rainy season.
Mistakes People Make With Solar
1. Buying Small Systems Because of a Low Budget: If you buy a very small solar system, it may not power your home fully. You will end up still using a generator or buying another system.
2. Poor Installation: Some people use untrained people to install their system. The wires may not be connected well. The angle of the panels may be wrong. All this reduces how well the system works.
3. Using Second-hand Batteries: Many sellers offer old or used batteries at cheap prices. These batteries may not last long. In less than a year, they can stop working.
4. Mixing Brands: Some people mix different types of panels or batteries. This can confuse the inverter and reduce system life.
5. Not Planning For Future Needs: If you plan to buy more appliances in the future, plan for that when installing your system. It is better to overplan than to underplan.
Tips To Enjoy 24/7 Solar Power
1. Install your panels where they get full sun from morning to evening
2. Don’t install panels under trees or shadows
3. Tilt your panels to face the sun well, usually towards the south
4. Always buy from trusted dealers
5. Ask for a warranty and a receipt
6. Check your battery water level if you use wet batteries
7. If possible, use lithium batteries. They last longer
8. Use solar TV, solar fan, and other low-power devices
9. Reduce night use if you didn’t get enough sun during the day
10. Join a solar community or group online to ask questions and learn more
Conclusion
It is very possible to power your home 24 hours a day using solar, even during the rainy season. But you must plan it well. You must install enough solar panels. You must use the right size of battery and inverter. You must use your appliances wisely. You must prepare for days when the sun does not shine well.
The rainy season does not mean there is no light. The sun is still there, just covered by clouds. With the right system and a little care, you can still enjoy steady power every day. Solar is not just for rich people. With a small plan and good advice, anyone can start and grow their system step by step.
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