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electrical:solar

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electrical:solar [2020/05/10 14:32]
frater_secessus [mounting the panels] 		electrical:solar [2022/06/11 16:17] (current)
frater_secessus [Mounting the panels]
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-===== do you really need solar? =====+===== Do you need solar? =====
  
 Maybe not. If any of these conditions are met you probably don't need solar: Maybe not. If any of these conditions are met you probably don't need solar:
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-===== practical considerations =====+===== Practical considerations =====
  
   * [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] take a lot of room and must not be shaded.  Where will you put them?   * [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] take a lot of room and must not be shaded.  Where will you put them?
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   * how will you ensure your batteries don't run your batteries too low and damage them?   * how will you ensure your batteries don't run your batteries too low and damage them?
  
-===== scheduling your use of solar power =====+===== Scheduling your use of solar power =====
  
 //When// you use power from your system can be as important as //how much// power you use. //When// you use power from your system can be as important as //how much// power you use.
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-===== things that affect solar power =====+===== Things that affect solar power =====
  
   * Insolation (Intensity of sunlight)    * Insolation (Intensity of sunlight) 
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-===== how much solar? =====+===== How much solar? =====
  
 Solar sizing has been moved to [[electrical:solar:sizing|its own page]]. Solar sizing has been moved to [[electrical:solar:sizing|its own page]].
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-===== weather-related issues =====+===== Weather-related issues =====
  
 Weather and [[electrical:solar:shading|shading]] have serious effects on [[electrical:solar:output|solar output]]. Weather and [[electrical:solar:shading|shading]] have serious effects on [[electrical:solar:output|solar output]].
-==== cloudy weather ====+==== Cloudy weather ====
  
 **Cloud cover** can have paradoxical effects: **Cloud cover** can have paradoxical effects:
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 Dusty or snowy weather can cause a loss of output due to physical presence on the panels.   Dusty or snowy weather can cause a loss of output due to physical presence on the panels.  
  
-==== temperature ====+==== Temperature ====
  
  
 Panels yield the most power in cold temperatures.  Since panels are dark and get very hot in the sun they are generally raised rather than directly mounted;  this allows air circulation/cooling underneath. Panels yield the most power in cold temperatures.  Since panels are dark and get very hot in the sun they are generally raised rather than directly mounted;  this allows air circulation/cooling underneath.
  
-===== mounting the panels =====+===== Mounting the panels =====
  
 [based on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/ggxusl/solar_on_a_roof_rack_or_directly_on_the_roof/fq5yvel/|this reddit post]]] [based on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/ggxusl/solar_on_a_roof_rack_or_directly_on_the_roof/fq5yvel/|this reddit post]]]
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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. **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.
 +
 +**Portable panels** allow the vehicle to be in shade and panels in the sun.  Also can be tilted for maximal yield. 
  
 Opinion:  [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#buying_the_wrong_panel|Bonus rant]] on panel/controller selection. Opinion:  [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#buying_the_wrong_panel|Bonus rant]] on panel/controller selection.
electrical/solar.1589121150.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 23:48 (external edit)

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