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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/02/17 11:42] frater_secessus [Your approach to solar] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/11/07 11:19] (current) frater_secessus [TLDR] |
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- | > The fastest way to bring beginner expectations of solar in line with reality is to **assume you will run //nothing// off an inverter**. | ||
> Setting up solar that //works// is easy. Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// | > Setting up solar that //works// is easy. Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// | ||
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+ | ===== TLDR ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Making //some// power from solar is easy. | ||
+ | * Making // | ||
+ | * Making sufficient power from solar to cover your daily power needs //in all conditions, seasons, and locations// is so difficult and expensive that few attempt it; instead we [[electrical: | ||
+ | * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions | ||
+ | * your // | ||
+ | * //time of year// will have a huge effect on solar harvest | ||
+ | * shade on the panels will clobber output | ||
+ | * panels still make some power under cloudy skies | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[opinion: | ||
===== Benefits of solar ===== | ===== Benefits of solar ===== | ||
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Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting // | Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting // | ||
A crude rule of thumb might be meaningful solar harvest is possible only when the sun is throwing well-defined shadows on the ground. | A crude rule of thumb might be meaningful solar harvest is possible only when the sun is throwing well-defined shadows on the ground. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Solar must not be shaded; | ||
[[electrical: | [[electrical: | ||
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==== Why daily? ==== | ==== Why daily? ==== | ||
- | Power requirements are calculated **daily** because the solar feeds the batteries((and [[electrical: | + | Power requirements are calculated **daily** because the solar feeds the batteries((and [[electrical: |
A **minimal solar configuration** will | A **minimal solar configuration** will | ||
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**Pro:** some of the product selection is outsourced for you | **Pro:** some of the product selection is outsourced for you | ||
- | **Con:** likely could get better quality and better-matched components for less money with DIY. Packages are often put together by marketing teams instead of engineering or support teams. | + | **Con:** likely could get better quality and better-matched components for less money with DIY. Packages are often put together by marketing teams instead of engineering or support teams and sometimes [[https:// |
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+ | ===== rack mounting ===== | ||
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+ | It is common to mount framed panels on a rack. This accomplishes a few things: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * allows the panels to always be deployed | ||
+ | * where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs | ||
+ | * allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical: | ||
+ | * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof | ||
+ | * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note: avoid racks with " | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
===== Is my solar working? ===== | ===== Is my solar working? ===== | ||