Anyone on solar power keeping herps?

[greggyf]

looks like i will be moving into a house that uses an array of solar panels with batteries and a back-up generator for power. there is no real power on sight or reasonably available. my question is, is there anyone else out there who keeps herps without mains power? I have just the one python at the moment but intend to expand my collection once i settle in.

[reptilefan95]

My aunt uses solar power energy mostly, she doesnt have reptiles but she has a 3 foot fish tank which probably consumes just as much energy

[herptrader]

Most solar(/wind) setups have a generator as backup to automatically recharge the batteries if they get low.

You really need to crunch the numbers on how much energy you require as a whole and the capacity of the system.

Another alternative is to start keeping species local to your area that can thrive in an outdoor aviary without supplemental heat and light.

[reptilefan95]

Yea thats a good idea herptrader get species that are native to the area that way you can setup a nice outdoor enclosure

[greggyf]

i had thought of getting a local snake, but a quick check finds that the only snakes in the area (snowy mountains) are elapids. that is a little out of my league atm

[pinkmus]

Then why not try to get herps which require some supplementary heat but less than most species. Ex. Diamond Pythons

-Will

[Tradie1969]

We are on the east coast of QLD so cannot speak for other places. i can only give average figures, as it hasn't been 2 seasons yet since i had it installed. before solar was installed winter was $1600 & summer was $1100 a quarter. after solar was installed, winter is $450 & summer is $400 give or take. winter: i run 2620 watts of lights in the herp room plus ducted air comes on if temps get below room temperature 17 degrees. summer: lights are 1730 watts which go off after temps hit 35 degrees & ducted comes back on at 37degrees, i also run 12 fans to circulate air, cannot say how many watts these are though. obviously our normal household appliances are included in these sums. cost was $28g's to install, but didn't do it for the savings, more to help the environment on my hobby. also we do use normal electricity which were included in these figures..

[greeny1]

Another alternative is to start keeping species local to your area that can thrive in an outdoor aviary without supplemental heat and light.[/QUOTE]

Couldn't agree more. I try and get things that are native to the area so I can breed them naturally. Or even get things that can go outside during summer and come inside during winter.