User Tools

Site Tools


electrical:solar:pvwatts

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision
Previous revision
electrical:solar:pvwatts [2023/06/16 13:49]
frater_secessus [choose a location]
electrical:solar:pvwatts [2024/05/13 12:35] (current)
frater_secessus [PVWatts]
Line 7: Line 7:
   - find out how much panel is required to make a certain amount of Watt-hours (Wh) daily; or   - find out how much panel is required to make a certain amount of Watt-hours (Wh) daily; or
   - find out how much power your existing solar setup can make   - find out how much power your existing solar setup can make
- +   
 +**IMPORTANT:**  if you are depending on solar the system wattage **must be sized for location and least-sunny month** in which you will be camping.  For full-timers in the northern hemisphere this is **wherever you will be in December**.  
 ===== how much panel do I need to make X watt-hours? ===== ===== how much panel do I need to make X watt-hours? =====
  
-==== choose a location ====+==== GET STARTED ====
  
  
Line 25: Line 25:
 ==== SYSTEM INFO ==== ==== SYSTEM INFO ====
  
- +Change TILT to 0, and accept the other defaults on this page.  The other settings won't make a difference for what we want (Hours of **F**ull **S**un **E**quivalent (FSE), which will be given on the next page)
-Accept the defaults on this page, as it won't make a difference in this case.  All we want is Hours of **F**ull **S**un **E**quivalent (FSE), which will be given on the next page. +
  
  
Line 69: Line 68:
 ===== how much energy can my system harvest? ===== ===== how much energy can my system harvest? =====
  
-==== choose a location ====+==== GET STARTED ====
  
 First, pick a location using the search bar: First, pick a location using the search bar:
Line 75: Line 74:
 {{https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/pvwatts0.jpg}} {{https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/pvwatts0.jpg}}
  
-==== system info ====+=== SOLAR RESOURCE DATA === 
 + 
 + 
 +This page shows you the location it selected. Accept the default unless it needs correcting.  
 +==== SYSTEM INFO ====
  
 We need to make a couple changes to the defaults here: We need to make a couple changes to the defaults here:
  
   * your array size in **kW**.  A kilowatt is 1,000w, so a 200w = 0**.**2kW (zero-point-two)((the calculator is set up like this because it is designed to model large residential and commercial installations that are measured in kW))     * your array size in **kW**.  A kilowatt is 1,000w, so a 200w = 0**.**2kW (zero-point-two)((the calculator is set up like this because it is designed to model large residential and commercial installations that are measured in kW))  
-  * accept the default losses for MPPT systems.  PWM systems should use something like 30%+  * accept the default losses for MPPT systems.  PWM systems should use something like 30%((PWM doesn't really have 30% losses in the system;  on average it leaves ~30% unharvested.  The end result is the same, math-wise))
   * if your panels are flat (most are) adjust tilt to zero   * if your panels are flat (most are) adjust tilt to zero
  
Line 91: Line 94:
  
  
-==== results ====+==== RESULTS ====
  
 The second column is kWh/square meter/**day**, AKA Hours of Full Sun Equivalent (FSE).   The second column is kWh/square meter/**day**, AKA Hours of Full Sun Equivalent (FSE).  
electrical/solar/pvwatts.1686937757.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/06/16 13:49 by frater_secessus