When it comes to running grow lights, there are a lot of variables that need to be considered. The type of light you’re using, the size of your grow space and the specific needs of your plants all play a role in determining how many solar panels you need for your grow operation.
We recommend starting with the smallest number of solar panels that you can afford. This will give you a feel for how much power your grow operation needs, as well as giving you room to add more panels if necessary.
If you’re ready to see our recommendations for running a grow light at different sizes, check out the following table:
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Run an LED Grow Light?
If you’re using a grow light with a 5,000-watt (W) bulb, you’ll need roughly 45-W of solar panels to power it. For a 1,000-W grow light, you’ll need roughly 20-W of solar panels. For a 600-W grow light, you’ll need only around 7.5-W of panels.
In other words, the amount of solar panels you’ll need to run a specific grow light will depend on two factors: the wattage of the bulb and the size of your grow space.
In order to figure this out, you’ll need to know the size of your grow area, the wattage of the bulb you’re using, and the total wattage of your grow space.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Run a HPS Grow Light?
For an operation using an HPS grow light, you’ll need roughly 10-W of solar panels. This means that an 800-W HPS grow light would need 8-W of panels, while a 400-W HPS grow light would need 4-W of panels.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Run a CFL Grow Light?
For a 600-W CFL grow light, you’ll need around 15-W of solar panels. This means that a 600-W CFL grow light would need 15-W of panels, while a 300-W CFL grow light would need 10-W of panels.
How many solar panels are needed to run a Sunlight grow light?
Some gardeners use a Sunlight grow light for flowering plants, but most of them use the light for Vegetative growth. For a Sunlight grow light, you’ll need roughly 45-W of solar panels.
This means that a 5,000-W Sunlight grow light would need roughly 90-W of panels, while a 2,500-W Sunlight grow light would need 55-W of panels.
Running a solar powered grow light isn’t as simple as it sounds. You’ll need more panels than you think!
Our recommendation is to start small. This will help you estimate how much power your system needs, as well as giving you room to add more panels if necessary.
Once you’ve got an estimate for the wattage of your grow space, you can start looking for panels in your area. You can also check online for local deals on solar panels.
You could also consider adding a battery backup to your system. This could help you bridge the gap between sun and shade.
When the sun isn’t shining, grow lights need electricity too. So, how much do you need?
For a 600-W HPS grow light, you’ll need roughly 12-W of solar panels during the middle of the day. For a 400-W CFL grow light, you’ll need roughly 16-W of panels at the same time of day.
Should You Buy New or Used Solar Panels?
New solar panels aren’t cheap. They can cost thousands of dollars, and it’s likely that you’ll need to buy a new system every few years. New panels can cost more per month than many people are willing to pay.
Used solar panels are a good option if you’re on a budget. You can find used panels on Craigslist, eBay, and other online forums. Keep in mind that panels have a lifespan of roughly 25 years.
You should also be careful when buying used panels. Make sure that the seller is trustworthy and that the panels are in good working condition.
Summary
Running a solar power system is complicated, costly, and requires a significant amount of upfront investment. If you can afford it, running solar panels could be a great way to power your grow operation.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that it can take time for solar power to make up for the energy you’re currently using. Depending on your grow space, you may not be able to run your lights during droughts without using both electricity and gas.
If you do decide to run a solar system, you should also be prepared for unexpectedly high electricity bills. In many areas, you’ll need a separate power source to run your system; you may also need to account for the extra electricity used by your system every month.
