Food spoils fast in Port Harcourt heat. A fridge or freezer that stays cold all night is one of the best reasons to get solar.
How much power they use
| Appliance | Running watts | Energy per day (about) |
|---|---|---|
| Small fridge | 80–120W | 0.8 to 1kWh |
| Double-door fridge | 120–200W | 1 to 1.5kWh |
| Medium chest freezer | 100–200W | 1 to 2kWh |
| Old fridge or freezer | Higher | Can be 2kWh+ |
They switch on and off all day. So they do not use full power every hour.
The night is what counts
From about 6pm to 7am, the sun is down. Your fridge and freezer run on the battery. Plan about 1kWh of usable battery for each for the night. Then add lights, fans and TV.
Simple sizes
| What you run | Suggested system |
|---|---|
| Fridge + lights + fans + TV | 3kVA, 5kWh lithium, 4 × 600W panels |
| Fridge + freezer + lights + fans + TV | 3kVA–5kVA, 5kWh lithium, 5–6 × 600W panels |
| Two freezers for a shop + lights | 5kVA, 5kWh+ lithium |
Tips to save power
- Keep the fridge away from the cooker and sun.
- Do not open it too often.
- Check the door rubber.
- Replace very old fridges. New inverter fridges use far less.
Why pure sine wave matters
Fridge motors need clean power. A modified sine wave inverter can make them hot and noisy. Read pure vs modified sine wave.
