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opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/24 15:15] frater_secessus [battery bank] |
opinion:solar:sizing [2022/09/10 18:59] frater_secessus [solar panels] |
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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! |
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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** |
* if you want to run more [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] | * if you want to run more [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] |
* if you live offgrid full time (FT) | * if you live offgrid full time (FT) |
* to run things off [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] rather than 12v | * to run things off [[electrical:inverter|inverter]] rather than 12v((due to inversion losses, typically at least 10%)) |
* to charge a bigger [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|battery bank]] | * to charge a bigger [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|battery bank]] |
* to charge lead-chemistries (FLA, AGM, Gel) rather than lithium | * to charge lead-chemistries (FLA, AGM, Gel) rather than lithium |
* disadvantages - in-place camping makes DC-DC charging less cost-effective. Entire life must be powered, not just recreational loads while camping. [[electrical:solar:sizing#your_reserve_needs|Days of autonomy]] == forever. | * disadvantages - in-place camping makes DC-DC charging less cost-effective. Entire life must be powered, not just recreational loads while camping. [[electrical:solar:sizing#your_reserve_needs|Days of autonomy]] == forever. |
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This isn't a game or vacation anymore; //this is your life//. You need power every day and under all conditions. The most reliable way to do this is by [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|overpaneling]] (having massive solar to account for all weather conditions), although you could do it with smaller solar [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|combined with]] a [[electrical:generator|generator]]. | FT boondocking game or vacation anymore; //this is your life//. You need power every day and under all conditions. The most reliable way to do this is by [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|overpaneling]] (having massive solar to account for all weather conditions), although you could do it with smaller solar [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|combined with]] a [[electrical:generator|generator]]. |
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Battery banks tend to be either lithium or flooded 6v golf cart((CG2)) batteries in series, both of which have lifetime $/kAh costs under $2. | Battery banks tend to be either lithium or flooded 6v golf cart((CG2)) batteries in series, both of which have lifetime $/kAh costs under $2. |