Difference between revisions of "Solar Panel Charging"

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Using regular 12V or 24V batteries makes it simple to get locally.
Using regular 12V or 24V batteries makes it simple to get locally.
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== Building solar panels ==
== Building solar panels ==
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* Encapsulation Film - seals the front and back of the solar cells in a vacuum
* Encapsulation Film - seals the front and back of the solar cells in a vacuum
* Backing Sheet - works as an insulator and protects the back of the panel, usually a multilayer laminate
* Backing Sheet - works as an insulator and protects the back of the panel, usually a multilayer laminate
* Mounting Frame - makes it easier to mount the panel to a roof or other installation infrastructure
* Junction Box - connects the two bus ends to screw terminals
* Junction Box - connects the two bus ends to screw terminals
* Solar Cable - makes it easier to connect multiple panels together, e.g. in series (higher voltage) or parallel (more current)
* Solar Cable - makes it easier to weatherproof and connect multiple panels together, e.g. in series (higher voltage) or parallel (more current)

Revision as of 22:30, 1 June 2016

Basics about solar panel battery charging.

Panels

Solar panel mono flexible.jpg

Monocrystalline panels are regarded as being the most efficient panel technology. Second to Polycrystalline panels.

Common configurations of individual panels:

  • 100W - common
  • 120W
  • 150W - common
  • 160W

Arrays are usually build by parallel installation of multiple of the same panel type, e.g. 10x150W panels is a 1500W or 1.5kW array.

Some cheap flexible panels:

Solar controllers

Solar panel controller.jpg

There are two kinds of controllers; MPPT and PWM charging mode, with the former being the preferred one on larger (>50W) setups.

A reasonable decent solar controller starts at 50USD, for a 10 to 30A 12V setup. A 30A controller can handle up to 30 x 12 = 360W of solar panels connected to the input.

Batteries

Using regular 12V or 24V batteries makes it simple to get locally.

Building solar panels

It is possible to build a large solar panel from scratch. You only need to get the individual parts, which is really not that much or hard to put together.

  • Solar Cell - photovoltaic module, converts sunlight to electric current, provides approx. 0.5V
  • Solar Tabbing Wire - connects modules into strings - multiple cells connected together, e.g. 9 cells provides 4.5V (0.5V x 9)
  • Bus Wire - connects the strings into an panel, e.g. 4 strings provides 18V (4.5V x 4)
  • Flux Pen - makes it easier to solder the tabbing and bus wire
  • Encapsulation Film - seals the front and back of the solar cells in a vacuum
  • Backing Sheet - works as an insulator and protects the back of the panel, usually a multilayer laminate
  • Mounting Frame - makes it easier to mount the panel to a roof or other installation infrastructure
  • Junction Box - connects the two bus ends to screw terminals
  • Solar Cable - makes it easier to weatherproof and connect multiple panels together, e.g. in series (higher voltage) or parallel (more current)