Yep another Solar Panel thread

Gundog · Guru

Yep another Solar Panel thread

madaboutled · Guru

Hi Gundog,

Before working out how many panels and or batteries you need, you first need to work out the "numbers" how much power or what devices are you going to run from them. Then work out a ratio (say 2 days running , 1 day charging). This will help determine how many batteries/panels you will need.

Personally I'm not keen on the flexible panels, solar panels need a bit of airflow to help keep them cool. I could be wrong but I think a flexible panel wouldn't be as efficient. Also if its shade you want then condider portable panels. I'm lazy mine are fixed.

There are other factors to consider in the configuration, like solar regulator, fuse box, solenoid if charging from the vehicle but for a 12v system its pretty straight forward, the general rule is to make any leads as short as possibe and use the correct guage wire applicable to the system. Without the numbers you can't design an efficient system.

iana · Guru

Sorry you haven't had many replies to your thread. I guess everyone is solared out. May I suggest that you do some searches on here for previous threads, and also look up on the net about how shade effects solar panel performance, among other things. Quite a lot out there.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi Gundog

The first step is to do a load assesment, as pointed out above ,to determine what you may need

Only you can determine how many panels will fit

It will depend on the layout of your roof [vents, hatches etc"}

Remember you can parallell connect panels of differrent Watts rating as long as they are rated @ the same voltage

Best measure up the spaces you have then search for panels that can be fitted into those spaces

JUST MAKE SURE ALL ARE RATED AT THE SAME VOLTAGE@ PPP,usually 17<18V

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 1st of February 2015 10:36:15 PM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 1st of February 2015 10:39:39 PM

03_Troopy · Guru

Here is a calculator that I downloaded from another site. I can't remember which one it was unfortunately, so am unable to credit the original source.

It gives you the ability to add your loads (only minimal entries however you can add you main requirements) such as fridge lights TV and other. You can play around with different sized batteries and solar panels to see the effect on the system.

Richard Graylin is the author.

-- Edited by 03_Troopy on Monday 2nd of February 2015 08:32:45 AM

-- Edited by 03_Troopy on Monday 2nd of February 2015 08:34:30 AM