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electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/08/23 21:23]
frater_secessus [Kits] 		electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2023/11/07 11:19] (current)
frater_secessus [TLDR]
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 > "...trying to take the comfort level you had in a house into your mobile life [is] tough to do for a boondocker." -- akrvbob((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Too-much-or-too-little-Solar?pid=116253#pid116253)) (Bob from Cheap RV Living) > "...trying to take the comfort level you had in a house into your mobile life [is] tough to do for a boondocker." -- akrvbob((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Too-much-or-too-little-Solar?pid=116253#pid116253)) (Bob from Cheap RV Living)
  
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-> The fastest way to bring beginner expectations of solar in line with reality is to **assume you will run //nothing// off an inverter**.   -- secessus 
  
 > Setting up solar that //works// is easy.  Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// is much tougher.  -- secessus  > Setting up solar that //works// is easy.  Setting up solar that //works well// and //under challenging conditions// is much tougher.  -- secessus 
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   * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions   * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions
   * 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
   * shade on the panels will clobber output   * shade on the panels will clobber output
   * panels still make some power under cloudy skies   * panels still make some power under cloudy skies
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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//. 
 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;  not by weeds on the the ground or by other objects on the roof.  The panel needs to be the tallest object in the general area.  
  
 [[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]]. [[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]].
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   * 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
 +  * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack 
  
 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. 
electrical/solar/gentle_intro.1692840200.txt.gz ยท Last modified: 2023/08/23 21:23 by frater_secessus

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