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opinion:solar:sizing [2022/05/24 15:15]
frater_secessus [battery bank]
opinion:solar:sizing [2022/11/08 19:28]
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!  
  
  
 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. 
- 
- 
  
 You will **need somewhat more solar** You will **need somewhat more solar**
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     * 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-chemistry (FLA, AGM, Gel) banks
  
 You will **need somewhat less solar** You will **need somewhat less solar**
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     * if you voluntarily reduce your power consumption     * if you voluntarily reduce your power consumption
     * if you time-shift loads to periods like the afternoon when [[electrical:solar:nonessential|excess power]] is available     * if you time-shift loads to periods like the afternoon when [[electrical:solar:nonessential|excess power]] is available
 +    * to charge lithium banks
  
 ==== solar charge controller ==== ==== solar charge controller ====
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   * 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.
  
-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]]. 
  
 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.  
opinion/solar/sizing.txt ยท Last modified: 2023/12/26 11:57 by frater_secessus