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Xringer · 09-17-11, 08:58 AM

That Panel has a Charge Controller with it, and it looks like it has a load control output.

You could use this rig with an old 12v car battery, and connect your fan to the load
output of the CC. The battery would be protected from being deeply discharged.
Since the CC will disconnect the battery from the fan(load terminals) when it's voltage is too low.

It would be best to have a thermostatic switch in the solar heat output duct,
so it could turn on the motor, only when the cans were hot enough to provide some BTUhs..

Without a thermostatic switch, the battery will be run down to a low point
each evening and part of the early morning sun would be wasted,
while the CC was playing catch-up..
But, it might work, you never know until you try.

That looks like a pretty good panel, all mine are Mono and they aren't too bad.
My Canadian Solar panels give the full 200w on any bright sunny day..

Shop around, you may be able to find the same rig for less money..
I've seen those type of Chinese CCs (Sometimes called street lamp PV controllers) for less than $20USD.

I think your 12W motor should be good with the 20W panel.. I've seen one of my 10W
panels move my heavy tracking array, while the battery was disconnected!
But that was a bright sunny day.

Just remember, your system might be picking up enough sun on an overcast day
to provide some good BTUhs. BUT, your PV might only be putting out 1 or 2 watts..
That's not going to run your motor very well. Wasting the warm air in the cans..

IMHO, the best fix for the overcast problem, is a large car battery+ a thermostatic switch to save the battery.

09-17-11, 08:58 AM	#4
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	That Panel has a Charge Controller with it, and it looks like it has a load control output. You could use this rig with an old 12v car battery, and connect your fan to the load output of the CC. The battery would be protected from being deeply discharged. Since the CC will disconnect the battery from the fan(load terminals) when it's voltage is too low. It would be best to have a thermostatic switch in the solar heat output duct, so it could turn on the motor, only when the cans were hot enough to provide some BTUhs.. Without a thermostatic switch, the battery will be run down to a low point each evening and part of the early morning sun would be wasted, while the CC was playing catch-up.. But, it might work, you never know until you try. That looks like a pretty good panel, all mine are Mono and they aren't too bad. My Canadian Solar panels give the full 200w on any bright sunny day.. Shop around, you may be able to find the same rig for less money.. I've seen those type of Chinese CCs (Sometimes called street lamp PV controllers) for less than $20USD. I think your 12W motor should be good with the 20W panel.. I've seen one of my 10W panels move my heavy tracking array, while the battery was disconnected! But that was a bright sunny day. Just remember, your system might be picking up enough sun on an overcast day to provide some good BTUhs. BUT, your PV might only be putting out 1 or 2 watts.. That's not going to run your motor very well. Wasting the warm air in the cans.. IMHO, the best fix for the overcast problem, is a large car battery+ a thermostatic switch to save the battery. Last edited by Xringer; 09-17-11 at 09:09 AM..