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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2022/09/10 18:17] frater_secessus [How much solar do I need?] |
electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/09/25 20:10] frater_secessus [rack mounting] |
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> A good solar system is one that meets //your// needs. | > A good solar system is one that meets //your// needs. | ||
- | > " | + | > " |
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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 // | ||
+ | * 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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* **best-effort** power - you take what you can get from the sun and [[electrical: | * **best-effort** power - you take what you can get from the sun and [[electrical: | ||
- | * **reliable power** - you //need// power to keep insulin refrigerated, | + | * **reliable power** - you //need// power to keep insulin refrigerated, |
* **massive solar** - You can still collect usable solar power under very poor conditions if you have [[electrical: | * **massive solar** - You can still collect usable solar power under very poor conditions if you have [[electrical: | ||
* **solar + other forms of charging** - Solar can work much better when augmented by [[electrical: | * **solar + other forms of charging** - Solar can work much better when augmented by [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== What about portable panels? ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pro | ||
+ | |||
+ | * can be set in sun while vehicle is in shade | ||
+ | * can add more power when mounted panels are insufficient | ||
+ | * can be tilted easily | ||
+ | |||
+ | Con | ||
+ | |||
+ | * panels made to be portable tend to be expensive per-watt. | ||
+ | * **they have to be deployed in order to work** | ||
+ | |||
+ | On the last point: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== What about flexible panels? ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Flex panels are very expensive by the watt. They are a great fit for people who need to mount on a curved surface (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc) or store/lift a portable. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Otherwise framed panels are the standard for many good reasons. | ||
===== How much solar do I need? ==== | ===== How much solar do I need? ==== | ||
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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 ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | 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? ===== | ||