Powering a garage with solar panels

Not everybody has a garage that is near to the house, and running power cables for longs distances is quite awkward and expensive. Though you can be general quite au fait with the idea of solar panels for your home, many folks have no thought of having them for the garage. This could consist of a small solar panel just used for occasional low energy lighting, or a bigger installation of solar panels that will give enough power to drive an inverter to give mains voltage for power tools and other appliances needed to be used in the garage. There are two kinds of solar module – framed module like the ones used on houses and flexible modules (the kind that can be used on boats because they are light and flexible and bend to a profile). Framed modules are generally cheaper for the same power output and vernally more easily mounted.
Probably the type called crystalline panels are better for a limited space, though amorphous panels could be better for low light (such as in the British Winter). Ideally the panel or panels should be mounted south at a 60 degree tilt, different directions or less tilt will give lower power. The panels will be linked to a lead acid battery and one panel should be OK for around 2 hours of use in an evening. An inverter for power tolls works OK as usually tools are only used for a short period.