Why Buy a solar Powered Electric Fence?

Article by Winston

What exactly is a solar powered electric fence? One of the newest developments in the electric fence industry is the increased use of solar powered electric fences. Like normal electric fences, a solar powered electric fence can be used to protect livestock, pets or land from wildlife and pests. However, unlike normal mains or battery powered fences a solar powered fence is powered by natural sunlight which means it has a number of unique benefits which make it preferable to traditional electric fencing.

Solar electric fencing makes use of unique solar equipment including solar panels and batteries. Solar panels collect and convert sunlight into energy which is then stored in the batteries ready to charge your fence.

What are the benefits of solar powered electric fence?

So why choose a solar powered electric fence over and above your tried and tested traditional wire fence? Well, here are just a few of the benefits:

A solar powered fence can be installed in remote locations away from mains powerOne of the main benefits to using a solar powered fence is its ability to run independent of mains power, this allows you to erect fences where it would usually be difficult or impractical. Remote areas such as hilltops or fields can be contained without the need to traipse up and down every few weeks to change the battery. A solar powered fence will charge by day and provide power throughout the night.

Lower electricity billsRunning an electric fence can be an expensive if necessary business, but solar fences will reduce your monthly bills by harnessing free power from the sun. The initial investment in new solar fence equipment therefore quickly pays for itself and then some. Solar panels harnessing the power of the sun will continue to power your fence for years to come saving you hundreds of pounds over the long-term.

Solar powered electric fences are portableSolar powered fence chargers are easily moved should you decide to transport your fence to another location. This is particularly useful should you need to move livestock to graze in new pastures. Unlike mains powered fences which need to remain close to a power source, solar electric fences can be disassembled and re-erected anywhere they are needed.

Solar powered fencing requires minimal maintenanceIf you’re tired of constantly repairing or replacing power packs and batteries then replacing them with solar electric fence chargers will save you this time and effort. Solar electric fences require minimal maintenance, once they are running you will only need to check your fence periodically to ensure no damage has been caused by falling trees for instance. The fence is self-sustaining so there’s no need to spend days repairing faulty sections or replacing batteries regularly. Most solar powered fence chargers will continue to work up to 2 weeks without any significant sunshine once they’ve been fully charged.

Solar powered electric fencing is safer during storms

With a solar electric fence you will have fewer worries about power outages or damage to your fence caused by electrical storms. This allows you to continue about your business following a storm and not spending the day repairing or replacing sections of your electric fence. The fact that your fence is independent of your mains power supply also means that your fence will be protected from power outages in your home.Environmentally Friendly

Of course, there is an obvious environmental benefit to using a renewable source of energy to power your fence. Using sunlight has produces no harmful bi-products and is completely self-sustaining making it a great option for those of us who are more environmatally aware.A few tips for buying your solar powered electric fence

When selecting a solar panel be sure to select one that has adequate voltage to power your entire fence, a weaker charge will leave weak spots in the fence which can result in the loss of your animals.If you wish to contain larger animals you will need to take into account that they will have thicker hides thus requiring a higher voltage from your solar powered fence, so cattle and horses will need a larger charge than say rabbits or chickensThe longer the length of fence you need to power, the bigger the solar charger you will require. Some solar fence chargers come ready made with wire, solar panel and battery so be sure to check the voltage if you intend to extend the fence with additional wireNever attempt to electrify a barbed wire fenceA deep cycle battery will store excess power produced in the daytime which can be used over night and in bad weather

Additional considerations when installing and using a solar powered electric fence

When selecting an area in which to erect your solar powered electric fence it is important to consider where to position the solar panel for optimum exposure to sunlight. The rest of your fence can be covered by shade but the panel must have access to a reasonable amount of sunlight (4-6 hours)Once you have chosen the location of your solar panel ask yourself whether this location will receive sunlight year-round or will a change in season block its access to sunlight. For this reason it is also advisable to check your panels once a month to ensure that they are still angled at an appropriate angleYou will also need to ensure animals cannot interfere with your panels, placing them up off the ground on poles will keep them safe from curious cows and also prevent snowfall from obscuring or damaging themIn the depths of winter it is worth checking your solar powered batteries more regularly as they may in extreme weather require topping up – especially if you’re located within a deep valley

About the Author

Buying your first electric fence can be daunting and confusing so I hope this article has cleared up some of the detail on solar powered electric fences. Click here for more resources on electric fencing for horses and buying an electric fence for the first time.