In this article, we will explore the possibilities of powering your air conditioner with solar and saving you money. And one thing is for sure, you can definitely run your air conditioner on solar power. but how? Let’s check it out
- Power the air conditioner with a solar power system, grid-tied solar power system, or off-grid solar power system
- Get a solar air conditioner directly, ACDC solar air conditioner, or 48Vdc solar air conditioner
Want more information? keep reading.
Why do people think about powering the air conditioner on solar?
Air conditioning is a common and widely used appliance that consumes significant energy, contributing to over 30% of a household’s energy consumption. Given the high energy usage, some people are exploring possibly powering their air conditioning units with solar energy. However, uncertainty exists regarding the feasibility of this approach since air conditioners are notorious for their energy consumption. To run an air conditioner effectively on solar power, a considerable amount of electricity must be generated from solar panels to ensure a sufficient power supply.
So how to run an air conditioner with solar power? check it out
1. Already got an air conditioner at home? Here is the solution
people who have an air conditioner installed at home can easily power with a solar power system, both grid-tied systems and off-grid systems will allow you to power an AC with solar energy. It will reduce electricity costs rapidly.
A. Grid-tied solar power system
For this option, panels and an inverter will be installed. Your panels will be connected to the grid, and therefore a battery is not needed for storage. However, if the power is out, your system will be too. With this option, you can choose to operate your AC during the day with solar energy from your array and it will give you energy back up during the evening or when there is no daylight at all. Technically don’t need to worry about batteries if you’re connected to the grid.
Questions to ask yourself
There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you can build a grid-tied solar system.
- Is it only for the air conditioner or for the complete home?
you can just make a small grid-tied system for the air conditioner only, or make a grid-tied system for the entire home.
- How much solar power do you need?
check the air con consumption only for small grid-tied systems, and check all the home appliance’s power consumption for the big grid-tied system
for example, 5 units of 12000BTU at home, assuming the rated power is 900Watt, then can get like 15pcs of 300Watts solar panel
- Do I have enough space for the solar panel installation?
you need to consider space before you make the final decision, get a small system or a bigger one.
- Are we allowed to connect the system with grid power?
Some countries are not allowed to connect the system to the grid, you have to check it first.
Answering these questions before we make the decision is critical in ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Choosing to run your air conditioner or all the appliances at home using a grid-tied system will save you a good amount of money as the air conditioner units are responsible for a large amount of power consumption.
B. Off-grid solar power system
For this option. solar panel, charge controller, battery bank, and battery inverter are required, this is an independent system which not affected by the grid power, the ac can work on the power from the battery.
Questions to ask yourself
- Is the system for the air conditioner only or for the entire home?
For air conditioners only, the system does not need to be very big, get the power consumption of an Air conditioner, for example, a 1HP dc inverter air conditioner rated power 800Watts, 10 hours working one day, so you can simply need 8KW.h for it.
For the entire home, you have to check the total power consumption of all home appliances, then design the off-grid system with the total power needed,
- Is there enough space for the solar panel installation?
Normally the off-grid solar power system requires more panels, and it’ll require a lot of space for installation.
2. No air conditioner now? get solar-powered air conditioner directly
What? You don’t have air conditioning at home yet? then get a solar air conditioner now, and start saving your money. quickly go.
A. ACDC solar air conditioner
The ACDC solar air conditioner consists of a high-efficiency DC inverter air conditioner, solar panels, solar panel brackets, DC breakers, necessary cables
The air conditioner unit is connected to the solar panel and to the grid at the same time.
- There is no additional equipment, such as an inverter, which means the total costs are also less.
- They can switch between solar power and grid power smoothly.
- They are very flexible to operate during all times of the day and seasons.
How does it work?
During daylight hours, the air conditioner will primarily operate on solar power, with grid power serving as a backup. The transition between these two power sources is automatic and smooth, allowing the unit to utilize the most suitable power source based on the time of day and power demands.
When night falls, the air conditioner will function like a typical AC-powered unit, relying solely on grid power.
How many solar panels are needed?
12000BTU, normally need 3pcs * 300Watts(or higher) solar panel
18000BTU, normally need 4pcs * 300Watts(or higher) solar panel
and for 24000BTU, need 5pcs * 300Watts(or higher) solar panel
2. 48Vdc solar air conditioner
The 48Vdc solar air conditioner consists of a high-efficiency dc inverter air conditioner, solar panels, solar charger, battery pack, solar panel brackets, dc breakers, cables, etc
The 48Vdc solar air conditioner consists of a high-efficiency dc inverter air conditioner, solar panels, solar charger, battery pack, solar panel brackets, dc breakers, cables, etc
The air conditioner can only work with 48Vdc, and it’s widely used in places where no power supply.
Several questions you need to think about in advance
- How many hours I’ll use the air conditioner in one day?
This is most important when you are ready for a 48Vdc solar air conditioner, the whole system will be varied on different usage times.
- The ambient temperature
it’s better to take the ambient temperature into consideration, it also has a big impact on the whole system( like in very hot areas, the air conditioner must use more power than in other places) so you have to prepare for a big system for the air conditioning unit.
- Size of your room
Getting the right capacity of an air conditioner is very important, big room with a small air conditioner, the whole system can not work longer
The comparison between ACDC solar air conditioners & 48Vdc solar air conditioners
- Cost
Undoubtedly, the ACDC solar air conditioner is more affordable, and it is in high demand in the market. On the other hand, the 48V DC solar air conditioner is priced at more than twice the cost of an ACDC type.
- Installation
The installation process for the ACDC solar air conditioner is simpler, as it requires fewer panels and does not need a battery. In contrast, the installation of a 48V DC solar air conditioner can be more complex.
- Working hours
The ACDC solar air conditioner can operate continuously since it is connected to the grid. In contrast, the 48Vdc solar air conditioner’s working hours are limited by the battery capacity.
- Applications
The ACDC solar air conditioner is a popular choice for homes, offices, restaurants, schools, and other locations that require air conditioning primarily during the daytime. The 48Vdc solar air conditioner is mainly used in areas with unstable power supply, such as telecom towers, islands, and deserts.
Benefits of Solar Air Conditioning
Solar air conditioners provide several advantages. The only downside is that they require a high initial investment.
- 1. Saves on Bills
The solar air conditioning unit will give a tremendous payback to you, the monthly bill will drop a lot. The ROI of solar is huge, and you will thank yourself for making a right decision
2. Reduces the Energy Demand
solar air conditioners can help reduce the amount of energy needed from the main grid during peak usage times. This means that power blackouts and brownouts can be less frequent, making for a more reliable and stable energy supply.
3. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Solar air conditioning reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What appliances can be used with solar power?
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity that can power a variety of everyday appliances. The energy is stored in batteries and used by appliances as needed. Solar power can be used to run most electrical equipment, including lights, fans, TVs, computers, and game consoles. Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners, and refrigerators can also be powered by solar energy.
2. How many batteries does it take to run an AC?
Batteries store converted light energy for household devices to use. Off-grid solar systems need batteries to store power for later use. For a 1-ton AC, a 4-battery setup with 150Ah batteries is recommended, but larger Air conditioners may require more or larger batteries.
3. Can I run a 1.5-ton AC on solar without batteries?
Yes, for sure, if you have 1.5-ton air conditioners installed at home, assuming the rated power consumption is 1000W, then we would ideally recommend you to go for a 2KW or 2.5 kW power system if you are planning to run a 1.5-ton AC without batteries using solar power. In short, it is possible to run a 1.5-ton air conditioner without using a battery, but you need to do adequate research about your power requirements and whether your panels are capable of meeting them.
If you don’t have an air conditioner yet, can get a 1.5-ton ACDC solar air conditioner directly.
4. Is it difficult to install the solar air conditioner?
Actually, installing a solar air conditioner is similar to a traditional one, with the main difference being the solar components. For an ACDC unit, you just need to install a few solar panels and connect them directly to the outdoor unit, and you’re good to go. With a 48Vdc unit, the process is a bit more complex, involving connecting four batteries in series and setting up a charger controller. However, the installation process is not too difficult.
5. Is switching to a solar air conditioner worth it?
Solar air conditioners are a game-changer, thanks to the increasing simplicity of powering modern, efficient AC units with solar energy. They offer significant environmental benefits, energy savings, and even tax credits, making them an exceptional choice for heating and cooling needs.
6. Will solar energy run my AC during a power outage? It depends
- if you are equipped with a grid-tied solar system, the air conditioner will not work at all.
- if you are using ACDC solar air conditioner, it may still work under good weather and an outage happened during the daytime
- if you installed an off-grid solar system or 48Vdc solar air conditioner, the air conditioner will continue working during a power outage
Final words
In this article today, we explored a variety of options for how to run an air conditioner on solar power, We discussed the topic with two conditions in this article and we expect that you acquired some valuable information that you probably were not aware of before.
Solar energy is renewable, endless, and environmentally friendly, all of us can enjoy the benefits of solar, go and power your home with solar.
