I need to reduce the average monthly home electricity bill by powering some of the household appliances using solar panels. Can I use a 250 watt solar panel to power a medium sized upright fridge?
How many watts does your fridge consume? Do you want it to work at night when the solar panels aren't doing anything? Probably not.
Solar panel alone? No. With the appropriate storage system and inverter, perhaps. You will need to do the calculation - as follows: In a solar day that averages about eight hours, you will generate about 67% of your rated output over those 8 hours. That means you will have made 340 watts. Your refrigerator will run for about four (4) hours per day on average if you are very careful about opening and closing. If you have a 400-watt (average-when-running) fridge, you will have a small cushion that will be absorbed by inverter losses, charger losses and so forth. So, with an adequate set of storage batteries, a good charger and a good inverter, you just might be able to operate that small fridge. No icemaker, no other power drains. But, two 250-watt panels would be better.
Well you might reduce your bills, but you wont get your capital back for many years. Do you have LED lighting, I have, every-time one of my compact flourescent bulbs blew I would replace it with an LED, after two years most of my lighting is LED, a good investment I think. What devices do you have, heating and cooking is better with gas (much cheaper) Think about better insulation for wintertime.
