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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/08/23 21:23] frater_secessus [Kits] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/09/25 20:10] frater_secessus [rack mounting] |
Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting //reliable// power from solar alone is challenging (and expensive) because solar harvest is greatly affected by [[electrical:solar:output|real-world conditions]]: latitude, season, shade, temperature, even battery voltage. It's bit harsh but you need to hear it early on: //you won't be getting 100w out of a 100w panel//, and //you won't be getting it for 8 hours a day//. | Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting //reliable// power from solar alone is challenging (and expensive) because solar harvest is greatly affected by [[electrical:solar:output|real-world conditions]]: latitude, season, shade, temperature, even battery voltage. It's bit harsh but you need to hear it early on: //you won't be getting 100w out of a 100w panel//, and //you won't be getting it for 8 hours a day//. |
A crude rule of thumb might be meaningful solar harvest is possible only when the sun is throwing well-defined shadows on the ground. | A crude rule of thumb might be meaningful solar harvest is possible only when the sun is throwing well-defined shadows on the ground. |
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| Solar must not be shaded; not by weeds on the the ground or by other objects on the roof. The panel needs to be the tallest object in the general area. |
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[[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] helps address these shortcomings of solar charging (and //vice versa//) so it is [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a common combination]]. | [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] helps address these shortcomings of solar charging (and //vice versa//) so it is [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a common combination]]. |
* where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs | * where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs |
* allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|heat-related losses]] and re-radiation from superheated panels into the van interior | * allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|heat-related losses]] and re-radiation from superheated panels into the van interior |
| * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof |
| * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack |
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Note: avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements. [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error". If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off. | Note: avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements. [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error". If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off. |