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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2024/07/02 14:38]
frater_secessus [Your approach to solar] 		electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2025/04/10 10:27] (current)
frater_secessus [What about flexible panels?]
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     * Making sufficient power from solar alone to cover your daily power needs //in all conditions, seasons, and locations// is so difficult and expensive that few attempt it;  instead we [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|augment solar with other forms of charging]].     * Making sufficient power from solar alone to cover your daily power needs //in all conditions, seasons, and locations// is so difficult and expensive that few attempt it;  instead we [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|augment solar with other forms of charging]].
   * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions   * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions
 +  * solar makes power as needed.  If there is no user or charging demand solar will twiddle its thumbs, waiting
   * your //location// will have a huge effect on solar harvest   * your //location// will have a huge effect on solar harvest
   * //time of year// will have a huge effect on solar harvest   * //time of year// will have a huge effect on solar harvest
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 Con Con
  
 +  * **they have to be deployed in order to work**.  This would seem to be obvious, but setting out portable takes time and effort that humans do not always expend
 +  * portables can be tilted.  
 +      * to seasonal optimal angles/azimuth. "Set it and forget it"
 +      * or turned to face the sun as it moves.  An overlooked downside is that panels that are set up to follow the sun **must follow the sun** throughout the day.  Human intervention required. 
   * panels made to be portable tend to be expensive per-watt.    * panels made to be portable tend to be expensive per-watt. 
-  * **they have to be deployed in order to work** 
  
-On the last point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  + 
 +On the first point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  And even if they set them out they are sometimes placed in shade or facing away from the sun.  We must pay attention;  solar is unforgiving. 
  
  
 ===== What about flexible panels? ===== ===== 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.  +Good reasons to use flexible panels: 
 + 
 +  * you need to mount panel on a gently curved surface  (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc)  
 +  * you need lightest weight for portability   
 +  * you are willing to tolerate higher costs and shorter life to get the above 
 + 
 +Bad reasons to use flexible panels: 
 + 
 +  * because they are "cool" 
 +  * because you saw an influencer use them on Insta/YT 
 +  * because you want to walk on them (you can't) 
  
-Otherwise framed panels are the standard for many good reasons. +Framed panels are the standard for many good reasons.  If you must use flex, consider one of the non-crystalline types (CIGS, amorphous, thin-film, etc).  It is not surprising that solid crystals a few inches wide don't like to flex.  
 ===== How much solar do I need? ==== ===== How much solar do I need? ====
  
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 It is common to mount framed panels on a rack.  This accomplishes a few things: It is common to mount framed panels on a rack.  This accomplishes a few things:
  
 +
 +[[https://amzn.to/45VXHEC|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qQl5nwz6L._AC_UY218_.jpg?75}}]]
   * allows the panels to always be deployed    * allows the panels to always be deployed 
   * where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs   * where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs
   * allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|heat-related losses]] and re-radiation from superheated panels into the van interior   * allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|heat-related losses]] and re-radiation from superheated panels into the van interior
-  * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof +  * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof.  Some vans have rack mountpoints built in and don't require any holes for mounting the rack.   
-  * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack +  * at least one hole will be required for solar panel wiring entry;  this is typically routed through [[https://amzn.to/45VXHEC|a weatherproof cable gland]]. 
 +  * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack instead of in the roof
  
-Note:  avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements.  [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error".  If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off. +Note:  avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements.  [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error".  If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off.  If you can't cut them off mount the panels as far away from the uprights as possible.  If you have a basket the panels need to be on top of (or flush with) the basket instead down inside it. 
  
  
electrical/solar/gentle_intro.1719945523.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/07/02 14:38 by frater_secessus

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