DIY: Given a solar panel and an electrical outlet, how do I power a fridge using solar with grid backup?

Question

See http://gregable.com/2007/09/apartment-solar-what-is.html

I want to buy a solar panel and some other device X that will let me smoothly power appliances from X. X will use power from the solar panel first, and then from the grid if there isn't enough. I don't want a battery system due to the costs, if there is too much power from solar, I'll just waste it in this system. What is X that I would need to buy or how would I build X?

Some of the answers so far pointed out that my plan is a bad one for cost reasons. I'm well aware that it isn't going to save me any money. Leather seats in my car don't make it go faster either. Still, I'm interested in playing with the technologies in a bigger way than a little toy car or something. The DIY part is the main interest, not the saving money or environment.

Answer 1

2n2222 is right about the power you could get from the panel not being enough for what you want.

There's also the fact that you need an inverter to convert the DC from the PV cells to AC for the fridge and that everything between the inverter and power point is mains voltage and therefore deadly.

There's also the need to have the grid connection completely shut off during a power outage so that you don't accidentally feed power into the grid while someone is fixing the power lines (otherwise you may end up killing a maintenance worker and getting charged with manslaughter).

Answer 2

Easy enough.
To start off I would like to clear somethign up.

A group of solar cells make a solar module.

A solar panel is more then one solar module mounted together to make a panel. Example: Four 100 watt solar modules mounted together makes one solar panel.

A solar panel can be an array but normally there are more then one panel in an array.

So you need

Solar modules
combiner box
DC voltage Disconnect breaker and or fuses
Grid Tie inverter
AC disconnect breaker
Point of entry disconnect
breaker to put in the homes main switch breaker box.

Check out this link, it will tell you how to size a grid time solar power system, and the links on the page have picture DIY information to show what you need and how to install an off grid system. About the same but you don't need the charge controller or the battery bank. You will get the idea.

http://www.oynot.com/solar-info.html

Answer 3

Even the smallest refrigerator requires far more power than even a fairly large solar panel can supply at high noon in Death Valley. That's why nobody bothers with this sort of scheme: you'd be paying a lot for the solar panel, but supplying almost all of its power from the electrical outlet anyway.

Solar technology is gradually coming along, but it has a very long way to go before it'll be this practical.

To confirm this, check the nameplate on your refrigerator and then the power output of any solar panel. Compare.

Answer 4

Create Solar Panel At Home : http://www.CreateHomeSolar.com

Answer 5

1