Solar powered snake room?

[frostysBP]

Anyone have a solar powered reptile room. Been doing alot of thinking lately with buying a house and building my reptile room. The thought came in my head that I use alot of electricity to heat my cages and a whole room that it should be possible to have a solar panel for just that room. Anyone do this?

[Reinz]

Man that sounds doable and awesome!

[Daniel.michelle]

I've thought about that too. It seems expensive up front but then pays for itself in no time at all.

[frostysBP]

I would think it wouldnt be to expensive. Solar panels have come way down in price o er the years and my electric bill is 100$ higher then my neighbors so at 1200 a year savings would be worth the initial investment. Im going to have to start making some calls and see what a ballpark price would be

[mechnut450]

I have a some panels and i was thinking of doing this as well. I having funding issues finding a invert-er and room to hook it all up as we rent a condo style house from my in laws. but with the panels i got I think we could produce more than we need lol. just got to get the the equipment and find a braver soul to get on the roof. Best part was my panels were free lol .

[WmHrbst]

I've had this idea as well, mostly because I am paranoid about the power going out

[OhhWatALoser]

As someone who installs these systems commercially, I highly suggest you look into what it will actually cost you. Given I haven't looked for myself for over a year, but at the time even my over 3k bill a year wasn't worth it at the time and I wasn't counting labor since I would be doing it myself. It's not just solar panels, you need a controller which depending on how you want your system to function can get very costly. Most people would still be tied into the grid, so you need to see how you energy company handles that. Will they give you a credit for energy you give to them or will they even allow it? do you need a separate meter or a different meter? make sure your controller can do what is required, its not just an inverter. Their answer might change your mind on if you want batteries or not, which adds more cost and generally need to be replaced every 7 years.

It might not even be worth it for a small room, prices go exponentially down per kw

I would be interested in what your system actually cost. As soon as it pays itself off sooner than 3 years, thats when I will have them on my roof.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I have done a little research on systems as well.
Upfront costs are one thing, many people don't look into upkeep.
Replacement of some of the hardware gets really expensive and I did not see it as a great option.
Cabin out in the woods used a couple times a month, yes.
My house or rodent shed, no.