> A good solar system is one that meets //your// needs. -- jimindenver((paraphrased))
> "...trying to t... rvliving.com/forums/Thread-Too-much-or-too-little-Solar?pid=116253#pid116253)) (Bob from Cheap RV Living)
> Setting up solar that //works// is easy. Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// is mu
estyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of wisdom]]: //"Any Solar is better than no solar, but having too much solar is difficult. The best solar systems are those which can keep the batteries the happiest. Happy batteri
t can affect that." -- Cariboocoot((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/152013#Comment_152013))
====== Factors affecting solar panel output ======
For various reasons **it wil... under great conditions, and much less under poor solar conditions. And about half of that in winter.
=... location and season both have profound effects on solar harvest. [[opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesfori
" -- sensij((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar-panels-for-home/solar-panel-installation/365350-understanding-shade-and-low-light-conditions?p=365396#po... ave surprisingly dramatic effects on [[electrical:solar:output|panel output]]. Perhaps counterintuivitely... h panel** is the next best thing
* [[electrical:solar:panels|amorphous/thin-film panels]] are less affe
controller for maximum power ======
[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM controllers]] are inexp... limited when battery voltage is low ([[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] output is unaffecte... ystem. It assumes the 'dweller owns [[electrical:solar:pwm configurable|a configurable PWM controller]].... of this information also applies to [[electrical:solar:shunt_tweaking|tweaking shunt controllers]].
=
====== solar assumptions ======
Assumptions made in the [[electrical:solar:pvwatts|PVwatts]] estimate:
* flat-mounted((no... with space underneath them to allow [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|cooling]]))
* with an unobstructed view of the sky (no [[electrical:solar:shading|shade]])
* on an MPPT [[electrical:sola
====== Series and Parallel solar arrays ======
===== TL;DR =====
* With [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] solar charge controllers and 12v house battery bank there is often //littl... practical difference between parallel and series solar arrays//.
* [[electrical:solar:charge_control
return to the [[electrical:solar:output|solar harvest]] article or [[electrical:solar:output#insolation|insolation subsection]]
====== PVWatts ======... ps://pvwatts.nrel.gov/index.php|PVWatts]] to find solar harvest estimates for a particular place, month,
Resource: [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|gentle intro to solar]]
====== Solar for car and SUV dwellers ======
Solar power can be extremely helpful for car dwellers, especially those
====== Solar panels ======
Solar panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, produce DC power from sunlight to cha... The panels can be used single or in [[electrical:solar:series vs parallel|series or parallel]] arrays.
... n oversimplification, admittedly)) a [[electrical:solar:charge controller|charge controller]] is placed b
two related meanings; both refer to having more solar panel output than a system might otherwise requir... [[#vs._battery_bank|overpaneled battery bank]] - solar panels and charge controller are evenly matched; ... ttp://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-36-volt-solar-panel?pid=144154#pid144154))
===== vs. charge con... troller means sizing MPPT for //actual// incoming solar power rather than //rated// panel wattage.
{{
among other names. ]
A configurable [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#shunt|shunt]] (single stage) co... tter performance.
There are three [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] that inte... se. There are a couple reasons to [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking#the_controller_s_achilles_heel|use a... ithout affecting the battery much or [[electrical:solar:offthepanel|even at all]].
So if you are deep cy
w.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Troubleshooting-solar-issues?pid=343191#pid343191))
====== Is my solar working? ======
===== TL:DR =====
* if the **panel... troller is restricting panel power on purpose
* solar only makes power on demand; if the battery is ch... s [[electrical:nominal|nominal]] 12v [[electrical:solar:panels|panels]] and 12v [[electrical:12v:intro|ho
p://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-One-large-solar-panel-or-several-small-ones?pid=101801#pid101801))
====== Sizing a solar installation ======
Sizing **residential off-grid solar configurations** is relatively easy: calculate po... 0906013732/http://www.solarpowerforum.net/forumVB/solar-energy/1793-basic-off-grid-solar-design.html)) an
==
A common rule of thumb for sizing batteries to solar power relates nominal panel output in Watts to ba... tem is biased.
===== 1:1 =====
//1:1// == 200W solar + 200Ah battery bank.
This is generally considere... the minimum, as it can work fine in [[electrical:solar:output|sunny areas]] with light [[electrical:12v:... the sun is low and daylight short. [[electrical:solar:rationing|Power rationing]] may be necessary.
[[
