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electrical:solar [2017/10/02 17:45] frater_secessus [Solar power] |
electrical:solar [2022/01/28 19:10] princess_fluffypants [do you really need solar?] |
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====== Solar power ====== | ====== Solar power ====== | ||
- | Solar (photovoltaic or PV) power is an excellent fit for ' | + | [Note: |
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+ | Solar (photovoltaic or PV) power is an excellent fit for ' | ||
Broadly speaking, **solar power systems consist of** [[electrical: | Broadly speaking, **solar power systems consist of** [[electrical: | ||
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The most difficult part of a solar power system (other than [[electrical: | The most difficult part of a solar power system (other than [[electrical: | ||
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+ | ===== Do you need solar? ===== | ||
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+ | Maybe not. If any of these conditions are met you probably don't need solar: | ||
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+ | * you stay in campgrounds or other places with access to [[electrical: | ||
+ | * you have a [[electrical: | ||
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===== practical considerations ===== | ===== practical considerations ===== | ||
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===== weather-related issues ===== | ===== weather-related issues ===== | ||
+ | Weather and [[electrical: | ||
==== cloudy weather ==== | ==== cloudy weather ==== | ||
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==== temperature ==== | ==== temperature ==== | ||
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Panels yield the most power in cold temperatures. | Panels yield the most power in cold temperatures. | ||
+ | ===== mounting the panels ===== | ||
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+ | [based on [[https:// | ||
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+ | There are a few issues to consider: | ||
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+ | * solar cells get very hot in sunlight, typically 25deg C hotter than ambient temps. Rating lab tests are performed when the cells are 25deg C (0deg C ambient, freezing) | ||
+ | * [[electrical: | ||
+ | hot panels re-radiate heat onto the roof of the van. "On my white van (even with a 5" airgap) it is hotter in the | ||
+ | shade under the panels than on the roof in direct sunlight." | ||
+ | * we prefer fewer holes in the van roof when possible | ||
+ | * " | ||
+ | * airgapped panels will add height for drive-through adventures | ||
+ | * taller racks will likely increase air drag and MPG, particularly if you drive fast | ||
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+ | **Mounting hard panels to a rack** increases airflow (thereby reducing heat-related power losses), reduces heat transfer, and minimizes the number of holes in the van roof. | ||
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+ | **Mounting hard panels directly to the roof** still allows some airgap (the depth of the frame) and the roof corrugations will allow some airflow in the direction of the " | ||
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+ | **Mounting flex panels to the roof** allows some airflow in the corrugations but no airgap. Good news: panel derating won't be so bad because the heat is conducted to your van roof. Which is bad news if it's already hot in your van. | ||
+ | Opinion: |