What Comes before beginner?

[1bigdawg]

Howdy all

This will be my first solar project build. I have a numero outside lights they are currently on 2 separate electrical circuits, one normal house current and the other is normal house current dumbed down to 12 volt. I may have to create 2 smaller systems if digging a new line to connect them is too difficult.

How do I calculate how much power I will need to keep the lights on throughout the night? I don’t mind overbuilding a bit I just don’t want to do too much. I live in Phoenix, AZ so have plenty of sun.

thanks

 

[Craig]

You need to know how many amp hours or watt hours the lights use an hour then multiply by number of hours that you will not get good sunshine. This time will be longer than you think. @snoobler has some good links in his signature

 

[1bigdawg]

Thank you Craig