If I do this I could run a 60 lpm (50 watt) linear air pump VAC to run my airlift and aeration 24/7 for my outdoor aquaponics system. 10 watts and 20 lpm for the airlift and the other 40 watts (40 lpm) for the fish tank aeration.

According to the following online calculator the the system will need a 370 watt solar array to produce about 1200 wh/day, an inverter and 417 Ah battery pack to store a reserve of 3 days of reserve power which comes to 5kWh.

Cost is estimated at $1,083 to $1,624.

http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/solarcalculator.aspx

Sound about right?

It would seem I could reduce the price considerably by reducing the amount of amp hours needed and subsequeny battery size by making the system a fallback system vs. an off grid. (The amount of battery needed for for 3 day backup and 5kWh for off grid is about $1000.00. If the grid is involved it would seem only enough to store somewhere over 1200 wh/day from the solar array would be needed. This would reduce aH and battery size needed. I think?

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 11/20/14 11:59 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.