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Thanks for the interesting write-up! Looks like you have a pretty large freezer. How big are the solar panels, and how much sun exposure do you get?
Would you like to share any info about costs?
From memory lifepo4 100ah/24v batteries were about NZD$1100 each...they can cost more or less depending on quality. Pair of 100ah 12volt deep cycle lead acid batteries to make a 24volt system were about NZD$600. 300watt PVs were only NZD$200 each but that was about 2021. Inverters were ~NZD$250 for the 2500watt and about ~NZD$400 for the 3500watt...again price probably gone up since these were bought around 2022-23. For cable I used mostly TPS cable from metal salvage yard- they sometimes have new cable but its sold at scrap metal price.
The sun in summer is plenty with a southern hemisphere latitude about 44 degrees but in winter the energy from solar I estimate to be only about 1/3 that of summer- so that is when the batteries and the whole set up are tested...fortunately with the fridge freezer located in the shipping container it also works less hard in winter with the temperature in the container sometimes colder than the fridge!
I have one set of panels tilted slightly to face the winter sun better and making them adjustable would be worthwhile - if I get around to it...as the mid winter sun gets pretty low and weak. The freezer is about 100 litres and the fridge (top part) is about 220 litres. It's a very efficient unit and cost about NZD$700.
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