GoldLenny
Senior Member? Do I get a 5% disc.?
Make sure you build a berm around your pond to limit the amount of rain run-off getting into your pond. No use having dog poop, fertilizers, etc., running into your pond each time it rains.
Solar Powered Pond?
- Thread starter rainbowcharmer
- Start date
Make sure you build a berm around your pond to limit the amount of rain run-off getting into your pond. No use having dog poop, fertilizers, etc., running into your pond each time it rains.
A top of the line PV panel, roughly 5.5 x 3.5 feet, will generate ~48 VDC at ~5 amps in full sun. this would run a ~1/3 horsepower pump at peak power, but i don't think there are DC motors that could tolerate the variable power sourcing for the panel over the course of 24 hours. Commercial systems are probably expensive because they have more panels, battery storage, and a voltage controller / inverter to keep the power sourced to the pump constant 24/7.
I don't know how GA is about rebates and such for household solar generation, but as suggested above it would probably be easier to have a large (line-connected ?) photovoltaic system up at the house and run the pond off regular power. The larger system will be more cost effective per watt than a small system dedicated to the pond, and will offset a larger part of your basic electric power bill.
Be sure to use buried hard conduit, heavy grounding rod, and GFI circuits to meet your building code.
I don't know how GA is about rebates and such for household solar generation, but as suggested above it would probably be easier to have a large (line-connected ?) photovoltaic system up at the house and run the pond off regular power. The larger system will be more cost effective per watt than a small system dedicated to the pond, and will offset a larger part of your basic electric power bill.
Be sure to use buried hard conduit, heavy grounding rod, and GFI circuits to meet your building code.
I'm new here so tell me shut up but, it seems to me, depending on the size of the pond of course, you could probably get away with one solar panel. Extras in the dividends from excess power generated. Of course the one obstacle is lack of sunlight........ I think wind power can be done only in areas zoned for it? I'm on the left coast so maybe zoning laws are different then the east coast.
carpenter547
The Desert Punk
hi i am sticking my nose where it normally doesn't go as i am researching my own pond.
if you were to want to use solar a very easy way to do that would be to buy a couple of deep cycle *preferably sealed like odassy or those red topped ones * for rv / automotive / marine use and use a solar powered auto battery charger to keep them charged. then they would run power all day all night rain wind storm etc.
each battery would be about 150 but it would last a few years. if you used a low draw pump you could get mabey a day or three outa each charge on the battery so 3 batteries would keep you covered. more up front less in the long run.
hope it helps.
btw you could also use heat or air to create circulation depending on your application.
if you were to want to use solar a very easy way to do that would be to buy a couple of deep cycle *preferably sealed like odassy or those red topped ones * for rv / automotive / marine use and use a solar powered auto battery charger to keep them charged. then they would run power all day all night rain wind storm etc.
each battery would be about 150 but it would last a few years. if you used a low draw pump you could get mabey a day or three outa each charge on the battery so 3 batteries would keep you covered. more up front less in the long run.
hope it helps.
btw you could also use heat or air to create circulation depending on your application.
How would you hide the batteries? Or where would they go in relation to the pond? I like the idea, but just wondering how to conceal them without causing problems.
They have hollow rocks that could EASILY hide them.
http://www.flowerpotheaven.com/fake-landscaping-rocks.htm
Or diy with fiberglass and stone spray paint
http://www.flowerpotheaven.com/fake-landscaping-rocks.htm
Or diy with fiberglass and stone spray paint
Hmmmm.... cool idea on the rocks. Now I have to figure out what to do. 
I'm leaning at this point towards just hard-wiring the pond, but investing in solar-panels for the house and switching the house to solar as much as possible. That might be the best way to go about this anyhow, but we'll see.
I'm leaning at this point towards just hard-wiring the pond, but investing in solar-panels for the house and switching the house to solar as much as possible. That might be the best way to go about this anyhow, but we'll see.
carpenter547
The Desert Punk
dunno normally i am very negative about solar pannels and houses unless you are ruffing it where i live they are not a viable option the sky is perfect the sun is strong but the dust and heat and cost remove them from viable to theoretical.
i have heard many people in other parts of the country meet with great success with them.
like my bro in law says:
if at first you don't succeed the suck suck suck again till you do succeed *when spoken it is a double entendre*
where i live they are not a viable option the sky is perfect the sun is strong but the dust and heat and cost remove them from viable to theoretical.i have heard many people in other parts of the country meet with great success with them.
like my bro in law says:
if at first you don't succeed the suck suck suck again till you do succeed *when spoken it is a double entendre*
I would lean toward solar your whole house and then power the pond. Carpenter has the correct idea on solar panels-powerinverter-bat-pond. Look into Sun pumps by sequence if you go the solar route. These have worked the best for our applications and after 3 years are still pumping strong. If I get the chance I'll post video of a solar setup to give you a visual on what you'll need. Keep us posted!
