<![CDATA[Simply Solar]]> 60 Sat, 28 Nov 2020 08:04:34 GMT <![CDATA[Would this be an adequate solar location?]]>
Note that the thick tree on the left could be taken down, the others are not on my property.
Thickness is skewed a little in the photo. that thin tree towards the left side of the image (2nd shadow to the RIGHT of my electrical) when I placed my hand it was the width of less than 2 fingers. And the shadow one to the right is about the width of my hand with the thumb at 90 degrees. IE: not super big.

There's enough place to easily do something like a 10x10 square, or if above the electrical box, more of an 8x16ish.

I know that this pic is not quite a proper solar survey, but...gauging opinions. Would those shadows make it a worthless pursuit? it would sure save a ton putting a collector somewhere in the yard 30-50 feet from the house and having to trench. There's even an old unused chimney space that makes for easy runs of PEX through the wall and down to the basement where a storage tank could sit.


Category: Solar Liquid (Hydronic) Collectors

Attachments:

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:06:06 GMT <![CDATA[Polyiso without foil]]>
  I have a good local source for polyiso but it's not the foil backed type.  Is this okay to use?  This will be for a triple layer fiberglass screen collector.

Thanks

John

Category: Solar Hot Air Collectors

]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2020 16:33:30 GMT <![CDATA[Can SharkBite fittings "Take It" ?!]]> Hi Folks!
SharkBite fittings, for connecting 1/2" copper tubing is rated up to 200 PSI@70F, and can take 30F  to 200F.

Anyone with experience connecting solar water heating systems with Sharkbites?

Extra Details: My solar water heating system design has a Collector component  and a Radiator component. The Collector for typical sun heating similar to other CPVC designs, and the second "Radiator" section, with copper pipe, .. to heat a bladder tank (anaerobic digester). (The Radiator construction is positioned UNDER the Bladder Tank in direct contact).

I am considering using copper for both the Collector and the Radiator, but I'd like to determine if an "amateur" solar water heating system is likely to exceed the capabilities of the SharkBite.

Thanks!
Steven

Category: Solar Heat Distribution

]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2020 13:06:41 GMT <![CDATA[CHEAP Used solar panels]]>
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mat/d/pleasanton-250-suntech-stp-210-solar/7216973581.html

It's been up for a week so I don't know what they have left but if you bought them all the cost is about 10 cents per watt. They are 8 years old so I would guess they've lost about 10% capacity. Not associated with the advertiser.

Category: General Discussion and Chat Page

]]> Sun, 25 Oct 2020 17:24:40 GMT <![CDATA[Comparing Materials for solar heated water - Absorption vs. Radiation]]>  


I have to design and assemble a solar water heater for a small Anaerobic Digester system.

It will have two connected sections, using pipe, .... one assembly section to collect solar heat, one assembly to radiate the heat.

Attached is an illustration. Please disregard the pipe arrangement design. This is just one of several design possibilities.

 

Please speak to comparative thermal efficiencies an draw backs of materials I am considering.

  • What's the different comparative levels of efficiency to ABSORB heat, using either clear poly-carbonate (or acrylic) tubes, or CPVC, Galvanized, or "Black Iron pipe? (assume same diameter pipe for each).
  • What's the different comparative levels of efficiency to RADIATE heat, using either copper, galvanized, or "Black Iron pipe? (assume same diameter pipe for each).

More details ..... the Heat Collector arrangement is contained in an insulated box with clear top to take in sun's rays, and maintain optimum temps.
It circulates the heated water to the panel of Heat Radiating pipes, which heats a "bladder bag" full of anaerobically processing "digestate".

  •  Solar Collector: Does clear poly carbonate pipe absorb solar heat for its contained water significantly more efficiently than CPVC pipe? AND does it retain the heat acceptably as the water travels to the radiating pipe section?
  • How much more efficiently does a a copper tube, "release" (transfer) heat though pipe walls to the "bladder bag" that is sitting on top and in contact with those radiating pipes..... then a galvanized or "black iron" plumbing pipe?
Thermo Pattern Capture.png 

Thanks in advance!
Steven

Category: General Discussion and Chat Page

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:50:53 GMT <![CDATA[Etching a Simple Pattern on Solar Panels Boosts Light Absorption by 125%]]> Etching a Simple Pattern on Solar Panels Boosts Light Absorption by 125% 

https://www.sciencealert.com/checkerboard-design-for-solar-panels-boosts-light-absorption-by-125-study-shows
Quote:
The results suggested the checkerboard with randomised rotations of its repeating units generates more current than any of the competing cells, and generates about 125 percent as much as a conventional solar cell without a grating line design.

Category: General Discussion and Chat Page

]]> Sat, 17 Oct 2020 19:35:13 GMT <![CDATA[Trying to charge a ride on mower battery]]> Hi all
im pretty new DIY solar projects so im not too sure how to go about it. 

i bought a 300 watt folding solar panel With the intention of charging a car battery and a ride on mower battery. 


The car battery is a EFB battery, its not a deep cycle battery which I believe i should be using.
the rideon has a 12v battery and again its not a deep cycle battery.

with both batteries, the solar control says the a fully charged the the arrow on the left flashes, it think its going into Float mode. neither of the batteries are fully charged. If i try to start the ride on, all i get is the clicking of the starter motor. Theres no chance of the engine turning over. Ill attach a pic of the controller. Im not sure on how I should be setting it so it does fully charge.
any advice welcome. AC1952DE-72CA-4385-8B87-5D4448A8A3C7.jpeg 
thanks

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:27:43 GMT <![CDATA[Solar power utilization rate]]>
It seems to me that it would be very, very difficult to achieve 95% utilization rate even with batteries let alone without batteries.

With batteries:
My argument is (maybe too) simple-  A) Your solar array produces more energy on average than your house uses, then the battery will eventually charge to 100% and you will end up sending energy into the grid.  B)  Your solar array produces less energy on average than what your house uses and you will be drawing from the grid.  C)  Your batteries and charger are never going to be 100% efficient, there will be losses when charging and when discharging.   That's with batteries....

Now without batteries: 
If your array is creating less energy than your lowest draw circuit (i.e. pool pump uses 1Kw when the array is producing only 500 watts) then you either send the 500 watts into the grid or turn on the pool pump and draw 500 watts from the grid.   With higher draw circuits such as an electric water heater drawing 3Kw, the waste is worse.   So unless your array is creating exactly what you need to run a circuit you lose, one way or another. 

Please tell me how you could get a 95% utilization rate without batteries.

Regards, 

Bert








Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Sun, 27 Sep 2020 21:11:18 GMT <![CDATA[Ok, this time I am serious (Texas)]]> I just purchased some solar panels (4 Kyocera model# KC130TM) I thought at a really great price. I want to run these panels directly for my koi pond pump. I am not sure as to what exactly besides the panels I will need. The pump is a Little Giant WGP-95-PW Direct Drive Dual Discharge Pump - 4280 GPH. If this worked, it would definitely save on my energy bill. Any thoughts on exactly what I will need to get this running?

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Fri, 25 Sep 2020 03:17:26 GMT <![CDATA[Automate switching of solar power - using available solar energy efficiently]]>
New to Simply Solar and asking for help.   We have a 5.3Kw solar array on the roof.  

For two years the wife and I have been manually switching appliances, pool pump, water heater, clothes drier and Jacuzzi on and off manually during the day as solar power was available.  Sometimes we get distracted and discover that we've been sending power into the grid because the water heater got hot and stopped using power.  Also forget to turn something off when it clouds up, etc.   When we're not home then we waste a lot of power.

I'm a retired (sort of) electronic engineer and decided to automate this process with some electronics and software and for want of a better name, call this a Solar Controller.   I've been trying to replicate what we've been doing manually by implementing some simple rules but figure that some of you might have better ideas or ways to improve upon what I've done.

Some of the potential improvements would be that the Solar Controller could change the rules a bit depending on the time of year (sun lower on the horizon in winter), etc.

I've started a simple website to demonstrate the operation of the Solar Controller and welcome suggestions for improvements but not sure if it would be OK to list the website.

Regards,

Bert van den Berg
New Zealandsc110_f.jpg



Category: Member Projects!

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2020 22:35:12 GMT <![CDATA[Help with panel]]>
I have this controller
https://www.banggood.com/12V24V-600W-MPPT-Wind-Generator-Controller-Hybrid-Charge-Controller-300W-Solar-Booster-Dump-Load-p-1377712.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

Despite what the advertisement says, it is a PWM controller for solar energy.

My idea is to charge a 12v battery with it.

I bought a 29.83v 240w panel and then two 18v 160w panels.

I have read it is possible to put them in parallel and force the 240 panel to work as a 18v one. Of course, it would mean a power loss and it would only give me 145w.

Is this true? Is this... trustable? Will I be taking too much risk of making the battery and the controller explode?

Thanks for your comments.

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:57:24 GMT <![CDATA[Solar for Renters]]>
I'm thinking it might be possible in my situation where I already have a solar system but am using too much electricity due to more people, renters.

When the price of solar gets low enough, might be possible?

I'm in month 6 and owe $4,144.14

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2020 14:03:17 GMT <![CDATA[whole house wiring?]]>
is that right?

if I throw the breaker out by the power meter and disconnect from the grid, and i find or make an extension cord with male plugs on both ends, can i plug the inverter into an outlet and power up all the outlets in my home?

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2020 20:34:59 GMT <![CDATA[Battery Location?]]> Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:47:07 GMT <![CDATA[How to design for Fridge/Freezer?]]>
we came up w this bare minimum list:
fridge/freezer (24x7)
charge iphones
a few led lights at night


fridge/freezer says 11.2 amps on label  
11.2a * 120v = 1344 Watts
but that's peak right? 
it cycles on and off, so I don't need that much power 24x7, right?

Due to costs and availability, I'm thinking to start w some solar panels, batteries, and inverter from harbor freight. I'm sure it won't last long, but I just want to get my feet wet. (that said I'm interested in hearing your recommendations on equipment )

Any tips on how to design a system just to run the few things listed above would also be much appreciated.


Thanks in advance,
Rob

Category: Getting Started with Solar

]]> Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:17:43 GMT