tp://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-How-much-solar-do-I-need?pid=259995#pid259995))
====== Real world solar configurations ======
This is a collection of real world solar setups used by nomads. They are grouped roughly ... al text.
The purpose of this page is to help the solar-curious see how other people have set up their so
> 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
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
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
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
====== 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
w.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Troubleshooting-solar-issues?pid=343191#pid343191))
====== Is my solar working? ======
Note: for simplicity's sake this art... s [[electrical:nominal|nominal]] 12v [[electrical:solar:panels|panels]] and 12v [[electrical:12v:intro|house power]].
It is common for those with new solar configurations to worry about whether or not they
Beginners may want to start with a [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|gentle intro to solar]].
[[opinion:frater_secessus:car_micropower|Here]] is a trimmed-down... describes a small, cheap, simple, space-efficient solar configuration that may be of use to car-dwellers ... non-cycling =====
//Non-cycling// is the use of solar power only when the battery is fully charged. Th
==
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.
[[
controllers.
PWM controllers have [[electrical:solar:pwm|their own page.]]
===== Tracer =====
Current production models are below; [[electrical:solar:tracer-old|older models have been moved]].
====... ted current, max voltage input, and "[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#positive_ground_controllers|gro... he algo is slow but performs very well under good solar conditions. Under poor or rapidly-changing solar
more complex than can be revealed in [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|a one-page intro]]. Again, drill down for more info.
-----
**Solar panel output will almost never be as high as the ... he best conditions; this is called "[[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|derating]]", or correcti... cally cost 2-3x as much as PWM.
**[[electrical:solar:charge_controller|Charge controllers]] have speci
====== opportunity loads ======
{{ :electrical:solar:discretionaryv5.png?direct&400|based on http://www.chargetek.com/basic-information.html}}
Solar power installations are generally [[electrical:solar:sizing|designed]] as if the load[s] will be steady ... **one can run electrical loads that [[electrical:solar:offthepanel|do not affect]] the battery bank's
[
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... anenergy.com/images/articles/NovemberDecember2014/Solar/advancedenergy_figure1.jpg?200}}
**Overpaneling**
====== Making the most of your solar setup ======
[this is a dump of a reddit post I made; will clean u... n about about what to buy if you are [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|starting from scratch]].
===== system sizing =====
Large solar installs are can be useful but are overkill (in s... ttp://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:solar:builds|100w]] installs can work well, particularl