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--- electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2018/10/17 11:42]
frater_secessus [panels]
+++ electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2019/09/24 14:42]
frater_secessus [A gentle introduction to solar]
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 This page aims to provide beginners with a basic overview of solar power for nomads.  There are oversimplifications and concepts skipped for clarity.  If you would like a refresher on basic electronics, see [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTvXx9tBkuU|the AltE Intro to Electronics for solar]] video.
-A quick definition:  the word //nominal// will crop up again and again in your reading, both here and elsewhere.   In your head you can replace the word "nominal" with the phrase "so-called".  The most common use is "nominal 12v", referring to the common automotive 12v system.  The term is used for historical reasons and is almost never literally 12.00 volts.  In fact, a lead-acid battery is [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|over-discharged]] at 12.0v!
+A quick definition:  the word //nominal// will crop up again and again in your reading, both here and elsewhere.   In your head you can replace the word "nominal" with the phrase "so-called".  //Nominal// refers to something's name, and the name for car electrical systems is "12v" even though it is very rarely literally 12.0 volts.
@@ Line 146: / Line 146: @@
   - is the cheapest per watt
-This usually means framed panels, as flex panels are usually 2+ times more expensive per watt, are less rugged, physically larger for a given output, and degrade much quicker.  Flex panels do have legitimate uses but they are specialty panels not well-suited for general use.
+This usually means framed panels, as flex panels are usually 2+ times more expensive per watt and are less rugged.  Flex panels do have legitimate uses but they are specialty panels and are not recommended as a default panel for most builds.
 Arrays of two 100W panels are popular because 100w panels can be shipped individually by UPS/FedEx.  Larger panels may require $$$ truck shipping; try to buy those locally if possible to avoid shipping fees.
@@ Line 158: / Line 158: @@
   * [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM]] - simple, inexpensive, cannot make complete use of the panels' capabilities.
-  * [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] - more complex, 2-3x more expensive, can run the panels at max power, optional with 12v panels and mandatory when nominal panel voltage is higher than nominal battery voltage.
+  * [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT]] - more complex, 2-3x more expensive, can run the panels at max power, optional with 12v panels and mandatory when nominal panel voltage is higher than nominal battery voltage.((e.g., 24v (72 cell) panels with a 12v bank))
 PWM are cheap enough that it is common to start with PWM and upgrade to MPPT later only if necessary.  After one upgrades from the PWM unit it can be kept as a spare/emergency part.

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