Solar assisted power stations + Spain

[CrewOVtwo]

Further learnt wisdom required regarding the possible purchase of an 800w power station with 200 or maybe 400w solar panels.

The information I'm hoping for is it's suitability in a nice sunny climate, as we are hoping to spend a few months on such a pitch several times over the next few years - when we last did this kind of thing caravan sites didn't charge separately for electricity but, I believe they do nowadays - hence we are considering buying one.

My experience in power stations and staying away for long periods is nil, so other than knowing that they may possibly be useless in the UK, we are ignorant of it's potential.

 

[Mel]

Hi. I know nothing of the technicalities of setting up a solar panel or what you will need; but what I do know is that they can be effective in the UK for keeping your leisure battery topped up when off grid, so not at all useless. Someone will correct me, but as I understand it, they don’t contribute to electricity usage, when you are on hook up.
Mel

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Thank you Mel.

The scenario I'm thinking (dreaming of) but haven't got a clue about, is I arrive at Sancho's campsite and I'm asked to pay £700 for a month or two on his wonderful site, but he says the electric we use will be charged via a meter - I think this is what happens, but I'm not certain - and then I can pull up on site and use my power station to supply power for the majority of our electrical needs, and hence keep the electric bill to a minimum, although I realise we might not be able to get away without ehu at all times.

 

[GUMPY]

800w will not run a kettle, microwave or toaster. Only really useful for charging stuff which should already be on 12v.
I would get a couple of freestanding solar panels, MPPT controller, a decent sized inverter (1600w) and a LifePo4 battery fitted in the van.
That should run all the 230v items in the van but still only one at a time.

I did this but only 1100w inverter and got through most of this last UK summer without EHU.

 

[CrewOVtwo]

800w will not run a kettle, microwave or toaster. Only really useful for charging stuff which should already be on 12v.
I would get a couple of freestanding solar panels, MPPT controller, a decent sized inverter (1600w) and a LifePo4 battery fitted in the van.
That should run all the 230v items in the van but still only one at a time.

I did this but only 1100w inverter and got through most of this last UK summer without EHU.

Many thanks Gumpy - would a 1200w machine do the job? - it's the next power rating up from the company I'm looking at (Afiery).

 

[GUMPY]

Many thanks Gumpy - would a 1200w machine do the job? - it's the next power rating up from the company I'm looking at (Afiery).

It would run a low power kettle or a low power toaster but not at the same time.
Look at the wattage figure on an item if it's less than 1200 then it's good to go.

 

[Buckman]

I would think that two 400w solar panels would really eat into the already small available payload! Hopefully you are also aware that you can only stay in Spain (EU) for up to 90 days in any 180 day period

 

[Mr Plodd]

Solar panels such as you are looking at only charge the 12v battery so you would need a pretty hefty solar array, along with an inverter, to provide you with 230v for even a short period of time. I would suggest to speak to an expert in the field as I feel you have somewhat unrealistic expectations of what's (reasonably) do-able!

 

[CrewOVtwo]

Once again, thank you.
A little knowledge can be dangerous, and I have slightly less knowledge than that!