The current trend is the installation of solar panels on shipping containers! It is ecologically friendly and sets you free from having to rely on the external grid to generate power. If you are building a container house, an office, or a farming project in an isolated area, the function of solar panels in reducing expenses is a boon for the planet.
One thing is that the container is such an easily available elevated platform, which truly is so apt to mount solar panels. With modern technology and the lightweight kind of solar panels, it has become so easy to turn a container into a solar power station on-the-go!
20-foot container
Size of solar panel: Generally, a solar panel is about 1 meter by 1.9 meters, giving a total area of 17.5 square feet.
Roof area: approximately 155 square feet (14.4 square meters).
How many solar panels can be installed: 6 to 12.
How much power will be generated: 1.8 kW to 4.8 kW (using 300-watt to 400-watt solar panels).
40-foot container
Roof space: approximately 300 square feet.
How many solar panels can be installed: 12 to 24.
What is the power output: 4.8 to 9.6 kW.
How to increase the output from solar panels
Orientation: Place the panels on a level surface with the wide side facing east-west.
Orientation: In the northern hemisphere, the wide side should face south, while in the southern hemisphere, the wide side should face north to receive maximum sun.
Shade avoidance: Use the Solar Pathfinder app to check if anything shadows the sun or whether sunlight will be recorded by shadows throughout the year.
Elevation: Elevate the panels to receive some more sunlight, particularly during winter.
Solar containers can be used for:
Micro homes: With accommodation in the container, self-power , off-grid, and self-sufficient.
Field offices: In far-off sites, solar panels help power office lighting and communication equipment.
Agriculture:
Power irrigation pumps.
Power heat for greenhouses or cold storage.
Enable hydroponic systems.
Disaster relief and remote clinics: Solar containers provide easy portability to power any medical or humanitarian relief effort.
Reasons for going for solar panel installation
No racks to build: Solar containers require no other construction work, which is indeed handy.
Convenient transportation: Carrying solar panels and their containers anywhere they are needed is very flexible.
Self-made electricity: Particularly useful in off-grid and mobile settings where fears of power outages are alleviated.
Electricity bill savings: Self-generation of electricity can mean huge savings on the electricity bill in the long run.
Environmental conservation: Lesser fossil fuel burning, lesser carbon emissions ,and kinder to the earth.
Policy perks: In some places, there may be no zoning or building application requirement for installing solar panels, which makes life easier.
Things to watch out for when installing solar panels
Structural
Do not directly install on thin rooftops: A thin roof will surely not bear much weight; problems may arise if solar panels get mounted directly on it.
Mount at corner castings or side rails: Outgoing supports for solar panels should ideally find acceptance at stable positions of corner castings or side rails.
Environmental
Brackets must resist wind and rain: The solar panel brackets must be able to withstand torrents of strong winds, and plenty of rainfall or be rendered utterly useless after stubbing its toe during a ferocious thunderstorm.
Use of anti-rust material: Use anti-rust materials for the brackets and other structure, otherwise they shall rust quick over the years, and this may shorten their life.
Angle and alignment
Tilt angle: Tilt your panels, considering your position (latitude), for maximum sunshine exposure.
The brackets could be fixed or adjustable: Use either adjustable or fixed brackets; this will allow adjustment in relation to the seasons.
Maintenance and safety
Maintenance cleaning space: Periodic cleaning should be used with solar panels; hence, during installation, allow sufficient room for cleaning and inspection.
Wiring and inverters should be made secure: Wiring and inverters inside and outside the container should be installed securely to avoid short circuits or leakages, otherwise, it is highly dangerous.
Weld-free and drill-free, this interchanging fastening method is easy to use, reusable, and harmless to the container. Ideal for temporary uses or places with constant movement and relocation.
The frame is modular and expandable and can also be operated easily using hand tools. It is excellent for students or DIY projects.
In Actual Cases:
The mobile health clinic: A solar-powered clinic attaching solar panels onto containers using domino clamps and Unistrut frames. One of these can reach out to the secluded areas and provide independent medical services to the people there.
The Chiller: A project to set up a solar panel-driven container cold storage system in Zanzibar. It is easy to assemble using readily available tools and is mobile.
Regular cleaning: Dust and dirt accumulation on the solar panels are to be avoided as it will affect power generation efficiency.
Check visually once in a while for any signs of degradation on the solar panels, cables, and brackets.
The monitoring of performance: An in-app diagnostic or inverter can be used to monitor the operational status of your solar panels.
Manufacturer's recommendations: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; maintaining warranty and manufacturer’s useful life usually spans from 20-25 years.
With solar panels installed on a container, an iron box is converted into a power station. As long as the location is well chosen, the installation is proper, and the maintenance is regular, the solar container can provide power steadily to the most remote and difficult places.
