Hey everyone. We have a deer camp in the middle of the woods so we don't have electricity, indoor plumbing or anything like that. We have a propane heater, propane lights, and a propane stove. We tried to solar powerthe campa couple years ago but the pannel wasn't getting enough sun light. We are in the middle of building a new bridge across a huge ditch and thought about putting it on the middle of the bridge and then it would get plenty of light, but we aren't sure if we can run the cable that far. I just wanted some advice on the subject and any new ideas. Thanks for a responses.

You may want to consider buying or building a wind generator to power up some deep cycle batteries instead . You didn't mention the distance from the camp to the bridge site , but some voltage drop would be unavoidable . A simple Arusha style windmill generator can be constructed from a car alternator and some spare parts , golf cart batteries would store enough juice for simple low volt lighting and other low drain items .Here's where you can find just about anything you'll ever need to know about being self sufficient , including how to construct solar , water , and wind powered devices: http://www.motherearthnews.com/recent/Homesteading_and_Self_Reliance/

You will be safe if you are within 200 feet of the panel. After 200 feet you will have voltage drop that will affect your out put of the panel. Copper wire is extreamly conductive and is why it is used today but all materials have resistance in them. Think of a long wire as along low Ohm resistor. The longer it is the more power the wire itself wil consume as the power travles down it.

A gas generator is what we use and it is easy and hassel free.

We used a gas generator some last year (mainly during bowseason,) but it was very loud.

without knowing the situation first hand, my suggestion would be another panel. one on the bridge, which would lose some voltage, and one in the most open spot nearby, between the two you should be able to make up for the downfalls of each of them.

what about clearing trees near the camp to open up some sunlight to the panels?