Solar system

2 Posts
Feb 25, 2006 02:29 pm
Solar system

Hi

we're new to all of this and we need to set up a solar power system on a bus/minibus that we're going to live in.  We want to be as independent as possible because we may be going places off the grid  potentially for weeks at a time.
Can anyone suggest what we might need to achieve this?  Is it viable?
We're going to be using 2 computers - a laptop and a desktop - , giving classes to give you an idea of the time frame, then we're likely to have a TV, use speakers and a projector for the length of a film (maybe on a daily basis) along with the usual lights etc.  ANY HELP would be appreciated as we really are starting from scratch.
Thank you.

 
29 Posts
Mar 2, 2006 09:21 pm
Re: Solar system

First calculate the power consumption per day usually the electrical equipment has a sticker with Volt and Watt rating. Example 3 hours TV at 100W, 4 hours computer at 50W, 6 hours lamps for 30W ..... this gives you the Watt-hours of electric power used per day.
Let's assume you need 1000Watt-hours a day. For an average 3 hours of full sunshine equivalent per day you need PV modules for around 333 Watt e.g. 4 modules 12V with approx. 80-90 Watt (many choices available so take whatever size and dimensions fits best on your bus). A solar charge controller for 12V with 30Ampere, a 12V true sinewave inverter (better for computer and sensitive equipment, don't use cheap square wave or mod sinewave) for at least 600Watt or even  for 1000W (depends on how many load you use parallel). You can use also an inverter with charge function, so in case you can connect to the grid you can charge the batteries in case not much sunshine and heavy consumption. Finally you need a battery bank for 1000 watt-hours a day, with reserve for at least 5 days = 5000 Watt-hours. For 12 Volt system = 416 Ampere-hours battery capacity better a little more.
For light you can use 12V fluorescent lamps, so no use to run the inverter for this, maybe also the laptop computer can run directly on 12V.
Hope this gives a little idea how a ssystem could be designed.
 
Mar 5, 2006 06:32 am
Re: Solar system

In addition to Rolands posting - keep in mind that PV modules mounted flat on top of a motor vehicle will not produce the same amount of electricity from sunshine as PV modules that are mounted perpendicular to the Sun. Here is a link to a site that has several PV mounting orientations throughout the seasons with respect for region and thier respective output in terms of "hours of full rated charge per day."
http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/redbook/atlas/
If  your PV array is to be mounted flat on top of your bus then use the "horizontal flat plate" example. Keep in mind also where your classes will be given - ie; southwest, northeast, etc.,etc. and if they will be during winter months as well.

Here is another link to a means of charging a battery bank while in motion.
http://www.surepower.com

 

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