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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/09/10 18:09] frater_secessus [Limitations of solar] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/09/10 18:11] frater_secessus [Limitations of solar] |
Solar is not a magic bullet; it is a compromise like anything else. **Solar has very high startup costs for the amount of power you get out of it.** It could cost several thousand dollars to get the same amount of reliable power one might might get from [[electrical:shore_power|a residential (or campsite) outlet]] with a $20 extension cord. Over time, though, the power is "free". | Solar is not a magic bullet; it is a compromise like anything else. **Solar has very high startup costs for the amount of power you get out of it.** It could cost several thousand dollars to get the same amount of reliable power one might might get from [[electrical:shore_power|a residential (or campsite) outlet]] with a $20 extension cord. Over time, though, the power is "free". |
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Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting //reliable// power from solar alone is challenging (and expensive) because solar harvest is greatly affected by [[electrical:solar:output|real-world conditions]]: latitude, season, shade, temperature, even battery voltage. It's bit harsh but you need to hear it early on: //you won't be getting 100w out of a 100w panel//, and //you won't be getting it for 8 hours a day//. | Getting //some// power from solar is easy. Getting //reliable// power from solar alone is challenging (and expensive) because solar harvest is greatly affected by [[electrical:solar:output|real-world conditions]]: latitude, season, shade, temperature, even battery voltage. It's bit harsh but you need to hear it early on: //you won't be getting 100w out of a 100w panel//, and //you won't be getting it for 8 hours a day//. |
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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. |
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[[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] helps [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|address the shortcomings]] of solar charging, and //vice versa//, so it is a common combination. | [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] helps address these shortcomings of solar charging, (and //vice versa//) so it is [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a common combination]]. |
===== How solar power works ===== | ===== How solar power works ===== |
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