Q Can I get solar lighting at my cabin? It's a 12- by 14-foot walk-in remote cabin in northern Minnesota that has no electricity. Is there a complete "plug-and-play" cabin solar lighting system on the market? Would this include deep-cycle batteries? Freezing temperatures are a concern. What's the cost?
A Any solar supplier could put together a small solar lighting system with off-the-shelf components, said Phil Smith, state energy specialist with Minnesota Office of Energy Security. There are prepackaged kits that deliver more power than you are asking for, but many vendors offer phone consulting and could help you determine which components would meet your needs and provide plug-and-play assembly.
Total system cost is really determined by the amount of light and power storage you want. With a small DC 12-volt system you can avoid the cost of an inverter and keep the total cost below $400. Using efficient 12-volt CFL or LED lighting will also keep costs down.
You can protect your battery storage system against extreme temperatures by placing the battery in an oversize camping cooler and burying it. Cover the cooler with an inch or two of rigid foam insulation that extends well beyond the cooler before backfilling the hole. The combination of soil and insulation reduces frost penetration into the soil, thereby protecting the battery.
For more on solar electric energy systems, go to www.energy.mn.gov.
Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune.com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.
