onsumes **29,000**Wh of power per day.
- A 100w solar panel on an MPPT [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|controller]] will harvest an average of:
* Chi... ter kettles
* electric space heaters
* [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioners]]
* electric coffee makers
... nvested thousands of dollars in battery banks and solar, or run a [[electrical:generator|generator]]
Ele
e Big Picture ======
There are many [[electrical:solar:sizing#calculators|calculators where you can plug... hoices affect what you will need.
See [[opinion:solar:sizing.walkthrough|this article]] for a sample wa... e numbers.
===== overall economics =====
Since solar is dependent on local conditions one has to size ... winter, high latitudes, bad weather. This means solar is relatively expensive when used alone where sol
gh for sizing an imaginary system. See [[opinion:solar:sizing|this article]] for the Big Picture.
[[lif... s to make more power.” – highdesertranger
====== Solar sizing walkthrough ======
This article will show... he math required to estimate the size of off-grid solar setup required to run specified loads. To get a ... .
But running household appliances((120vac)) off solar((or batteries)) will incur //inverter losses//.
ers ======
The EpEver line of MPPT [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controllers]] is an excellent value-for-money for some use cases. They c... * the controllers can take massive [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|overpaneling]]; the smaller units (... riods of no load - see [[https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarDIY/comments/ttxs1b/switched_to_lifepo4_some_quest
Note: this is a streamlining of [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|the shallow cycling article]].
======... be done for about $25, or about $100 with 100w of solar if one shops around.
===== the controller =... ystem is an inexpensive single-stage [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]].((sometimes called a "shunt" controller)) No, solar is not
brightly every day." -- Cariboocoot((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/250894#Comment_250894))
====== Solar panel sizing for different geographical areas ===... nd meteorological conditions affect the amount of solar wattage one needs.
**Reminder:** available sunlight ([[electrical:solar:output#insolation|insolation]]) is expressed in H
akes#heating_and_cooling|heat and cool stuff with solar power]].
* avoid flexible solar panels, AGM batteries, and solar generators. They are all niche products with niche (ie, doubled) pri... device.\
* run discretionary loads [[electrical:solar:nonessential|when you have excess power]]
====
aren't trying to run the household
- disconnect solar panels, if solar is present, for the reasons given [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#connection_order|here]].
- appl... an none in this scenario - see below
- when any solar charge controller comes back online((normal LEDS,
ne but you don't know it. Example: "[[electrical:solar:status#setups_with_no_float|my charger isn't char... ltage, float voltage, charging amps, etc))
==== solar panels ====
[[electrical:solar:panels|Solar panels]] are usually pretty obvious if you have them. They may be mounted on a rack, adhere
low //float voltages//((≤13.4v)), or [[electrical:solar:status#setups_with_no_float|no float at all]]
... cal:12v:b2b|DC-DC]] is present
* [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charging]] (profiles, configurability, output rating, protections if any)
*... ical change from lead-battery charging.
===== solar charging =====
Here we need to be careful about
DRAFT
FIXME
====== How much extra solar power do I have? ======
Yes, we can use [[electrical:12v:batt... attery bank. And we can look at the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] to see how much power it is making.
But how can we tell **how much untapped power does our solar have in reserve?** Put another way: how much mor
====== Opinion: adding DC-DC charging to solar ======
When combined with nontrivial amounts of solar, **DC-DC charging is a decreasing return expense... d to fully charge Li has already been provided. Solar would have to lug voltage up 13.8v -> 14.4v for A... g battery voltage right up to Vabs (14.4v).
* Solar would just handle the high voltage, decreasing cu
====== My solar isn't charging ======
Reminder: a [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] makes power
- //when power is demanded// for [[electrical... t receiving full sunlight =====
* [[electrical:solar:shading|partial shade]] is a killer
* raincloud
====== Solar charging stall at alternator voltage ======
Consider the following scenario:
* 100w of panel that charges at 75W
* [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|Vabs]] set to 14.6v
* alternator vo
**Getting to Vabs faster** could be [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|preferable on PWM controllers]], as ... to charge Li.
===== exceptions =====
* solar charging - sunlight is only available during a sh... th a clear overhead view. Note that [[electrical:solar:output|poor insolation]] calls for [[electrical:solar:rationing#maximizing_solar_harvest|increased harve