Real World Solar Panel Output

[Train Wreck]

I'm interested if anyone out there has some real world numbers on how many AH a 100 Watt solar panel will produce on a sunny day on the playa. I know it'll be less than the theoretical maximum due to inefficiencies in the PWM charge controller I plan on using, as well as other factors such as dust, non-perpendicular incidence of light on the panel, etc., though I don't have an idea of what to expect since I have never used solar out there before.

Part of me wants to say fuckit and just pony up for two 100 Watt panels (which would certainly cover my 12V power needs) and be done with it. Thoughts?

[some seeing eye]

Very few people conduct controlled solar studies on playa. Some depends on the panel technology. Your best bet is to discuss at http://ae-zone.org/.

[oscillator]

What is your estimated day/night loads? If you position the panels thru out the day, you should get >10 amps for 8-9 hrs.

I run a Kyocera 85w, 15 amp charge controller, 55aH Optima Deep cycle, and Morningstar 300w fanless invertor.

This in turn charges 4x 12aH 12VDC sealed batteries during the day (on 1.5amp chargers), Bosh jobsite sound system (<100w?) and ~3amps of LED lights nightly.

I do use a charge controller rated 3x my charge load (I have a second 85w panel). Be sure your charge controller is balanced to match your batteries - (but you knew that!)

Couldn't be happier with this setup. I move it maybe once a day to follow the sun. Have not measured the efficiency, but feel the system works very well.

-OSC

[2WheelGuy]

May I recommend you visit the website of AM Solar.

They installed the solar system on my truck camper 5 years ago.....simply awesome:

Two 150 watt solar panels, AM Solar-built controller, (2) 6 volt 600 Ah gel Batteries.

I installed a 2000 watt Pure Sine Inverter and fabricated a male to male 2 O cable which I plug into the inverter and my truck camper elec receptacle: it powers the whole RV ( caution: always unplug onboard battery charger when doing this)

I can power my expresso machine, microwave, smoothie maker at breakfast, run my refrig all day, power my tv and thin client computer, run an extension cord to electrify my work trailer, and grill a steak on the gridler at night and still have 70% or more battery left.

Two things I've learned: (1) flush the tops of the solar panels and you get a 15% improvement in rate
(2) talkng to other solar users, 6 volt in series is superior to 12 volt

I'll be at Camp Neu Verboten if you want to talk and see my installation

[Train Wreck]

My primary loads during the event are two FIGJAM box swamp coolers each drawing roughly 4.25A on high, so 8.5A combined. Pre-event I'll be running only one swamp cooler(4.25A) , and some LED rope light / bulbs off of an inverter at night for a few hours (about 5A). I'm using a 115AH costco marine/deep cycle battery (wish I had the coin to replace with two 6VDC batteries).

I ended up saying fuckit and got two 100W panels and a 30A charge controller, in hopes I wouldn't have to mess with the system. I've got a generator in case the solar doesn't work as planned, though I'd rather avoid using it.

I figure I should get somewhere between 60 and 70 amp hours of charge per day, which should be adequate.

[FIGJAM]

If your coolers are using that much power, they aren't per my instructions.

The bucket cooler with the 190 CFM fan is just under 2 amps.

The box and unicooler designs are under 3 amps even on high speed.

[Train Wreck]

Hmm... maybe my meter is giving me an inaccurate reading. I'm using the endless breeze fan and the DC solar pump, so I should be getting a reading of 3 amps. I'll change the batteries in my meter and measure again.

[FIGJAM]

The fan alone on high uses 2.58 amps according to their site.

1.16 on low.

1.64 on medium.

My pumps use between .3 and .4, so somethings up.