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opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/24 15:13]
frater_secessus [overall economics]
opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/24 15:16]
frater_secessus [solar panels]
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 Once you know your daily power and reserve requirements you can spec out a battery  bank.  The capacity and chemistry of the bank will drive much of the charging section below.  Once you know your daily power and reserve requirements you can spec out a battery  bank.  The capacity and chemistry of the bank will drive much of the charging section below. 
  
 +Broadly speaking, lithium chemistries are most cost-effective when the camping experience is expected to last for many years and the batteries stored inside.((Note that it is false economy to pay for 10 years of battery cycling (as with lithium) if one is going to wreck it in 2 years)).  For shorter projects (traveling around the country for  ≤3 years) in an RV with exterior battery trays the standard T-105 style FLA bank((like 2x 6v Trojan T-105 batts in series for 12v)) may be more cost-effective.  For very short installations ( ≤1 year) marginal batteries found at walmart may be fine. I encourage people to do the //$/kWh math for the situation// rather than relying on the latest trends or loudest voices. Horses for courses.
  
 Having an **undersized bank** means //running out of power// at night.  Sitting in the dark at night with no fan.   Having an **undersized bank** means //running out of power// at night.  Sitting in the dark at night with no fan.  
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 IMO, with lead chemistries((flooded, agm, gel)) it is better to have an undersized bank you can charge //fully and consistently// rather than a bigger bank you cannot charge.  IMO, with lead chemistries((flooded, agm, gel)) it is better to have an undersized bank you can charge //fully and consistently// rather than a bigger bank you cannot charge. 
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 +
 +After figuring your rough capacity requirements, consider these factors:
  
 You will **need somewhat more Ah capacity** You will **need somewhat more Ah capacity**
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-The bare-bones minimum for solar, assuming everything goes exactly right,((shallow discharge, excellent solar conditions, well-designed system))  is [[electrical:solar:panel-bank_ratio|1:1]] panel-to-Ah.  e.g. 150w for a 150Ah battery bank.  In reality, solar that small is often insufficient unless one has unusually small power needs or adds in another form of charging (see below).  [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|Newbies typically think their power needs are small]] until they sit down to read those power labels on the stuff that want to run.  D'oh!  +The absolute minimum for solar, assuming everything goes exactly right,((shallow discharge, excellent solar conditions, well-designed system))  is often said to be [[electrical:solar:panel-bank_ratio|1:1]] panel-to-Ah.  e.g. 150w for a 150Ah battery bank.  In reality, solar that small is often insufficient unless one has unusually small power needs or adds in another form of charging (see below).  [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|Newbies typically think their power needs are small]] until they sit down to read those power labels on the stuff that want to run.  D'oh!  
  
  
 Most people will do best with much more panel-to-battery depending on battery chemistry, [[opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesforinsolation|geography]] and use patterns.  Most people will do best with much more panel-to-battery depending on battery chemistry, [[opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesforinsolation|geography]] and use patterns. 
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 You will **need somewhat more solar** You will **need somewhat more solar**
opinion/solar/sizing.txt · Last modified: 2023/12/26 11:57 by frater_secessus