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Solar Basics You Need to Know

Solar Basics You Need to Know

Solar basics you need to know to ensure your solar works first time. This article by Solar Books’ Collyn Rivers explains all.

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Solar Basics You Need to Know – is there enough sun?

Generalising, solar is feasible in most parts of the world between latitudes +/- 50 degrees. Solar input is typically quoted in PSH (Peak Sun Hours) per day. Google PSH and your closest town for the answer or contact your local met office.

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Pic: In the above map PSH is the same thing as ‘Daily sum’. Pic: solargis.

In most areas, PSH varies with time of year. You need at least 2.5 PSH/day, but 3.0 PSH is preferable. The minimum PSH determines the solar module capacity required. You then check there is non-shadowed space for that capacity.

The solar modules should face more or less north (in the southern hemisphere) and more or less south (in the northern hemisphere). For optimum year-round input, they tilt them at (your) latitude angle. To increase winter input tilt them more upright. Or less steeply for summer. Between 0 and 20 degrees north or south of the equator they can be more or less horizontal year-round.

Solar Basics You Need to Know – how much solar capacity do I need?

Most solar suppliers check your current usage – or use locally known averages. This, to put mildly, is not the way to go.

Your first step is to minimise usage. This is simple and easy, but you need to know how. Over a third of our book Solar Success devoted to just this. It shows how to (typically) slash usage by at least one third. Half is readily possible. Doing so will save you thousands of dollars in solar and (particularly) ongoing battery costs.

From there, you design the system to provide whatever percentage of the energy needed. It is possible to have 100% but settling for 95% will halve the cost!

Solar Basics You Need to Know – battery and generator back-up

Stand-alone solar systems typically have battery storage for two to three days of zero solar input. A generator and a large battery charger then recharge the system. Battery storage is however costly. It can be reduced if the generator is used more often.

Solar Basics You Need to Know – ongoing maintenance

Apart from cleaning the solar modules if they get dusty or muddy – they need no other attention. Do not get scammed into signing a yearly maintenance contract. Their useful life-span is 25-30 years. See our article Top Ten Solar Scams.: 

The AGM or LIFePO4 batteries now used are usually maintenance free. Battery lifespan is typically 12-16 years. They may last longer but their capacity will be about 20% less than when new.

Solar Basics You Need to Know – can I build the system myself?

Many do but it does need some electrical experience. Unless you have, Solar Books advises seeking assistance. Much of the work, however, is mechanical. Framework for solar arrays is readily buyable. Huge savings can be made by constructing these yourself but you must allow for wind forces etc. Solar Success, however, shows that required. (It was built to withstand cyclones but is still far cheaper than standard commercial equivalents).

We strongly advise buying Solar That Really Works! (for boats, cabins and RVs). Buy Solar Success for homes and properties. Our book Caravan & Motorhome Electrics covers every aspect of that topic. Their content is globally valid.

All our books are now available in digital and print format. The digital books can be bought and downloaded right now from the Bookshop on this site. Click on the book title (above) to order, Our print versions can be ordered from any bookshop in Australia and New Zealand – or via email directly from booktopia.com.au

Articles by Category

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Electrical (general)
Batteries & Battery Charging
Trailer/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension
General
Travel
The Camper Trailer Book

Want to find out more? Our books cover all these topics and a lot more. 

Cover of How to Choose and Buy an RV by Collyn RiversWhether you’re buying your first RV or updating to a bigger, more comfortable rig, there are a great many things you need to know and consider. How to Choose and Buy an RV breaks things down so that you can decide what you want and whether or not what you’ve found is right for you.

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Cover of Solar That Really Works by Collyn RiversSolar That Really Works! explains every detail of designing and installing solar in boats, camper trailers, travel trailers and motorhomes.

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Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Electrics by Collyn RiversCaravan & Motorhome Electrics covers every aspect of designing, installing and fault finding of the electrics in fifth wheel and conventional travel trailers, camper trailers and motorhomes.

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Cover of The Caravan and Motorhome Book by Collyn RiversThe Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of camper trailer, travel trailer and fifth wheel travel trailer, campervan and motorhome usage.

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Cover of Why Caravans Roll Over by Collyn RiversTravel trailers and their tow vehicles rarely jack-knife and roll over – but when they do the results are catastrophic. The cause, and how to prevent it, is explained here. Why Caravans Roll Over offers solid advice for keeping yourself safe on the road.
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Cover of Solar Success by Collyn RiversSolar Success explains how to design and build home and property systems that ensures affordable solar success first and every time.

 

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Between 1959 and 1961 Collyn Rivers and Antony Fleming drove a Bedford QLR off-road truck twice the length and breadth of Africa studying road surface conditions.

A 43 minute film about their adventure, produced and narrated by Antony Fleming, has been viewed on YouTube more than 1.6 million  times!

Picture from Africa journey. Caravan and Motorhome Electrics by Collyn Rivers

To view the film, and also read Collyn’s telling of the tale, just click the button below.

Africa 

Cover of How to Choose and Buy an RV by Collyn RiversWhether you’re buying your first RV or updating to a bigger, more comfortable rig, there are a great many things you need to know and consider.  This book breaks things down so that you can decide what you want and whether or not what you’ve found is right for you. It’s technically sound and comprehensive so that you can proceed with complete confidence.  How to Choose and Buy an RV is the ultimate guide for those times when you want to, well, choose and buy an RV.

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Cover of Why Caravans Roll Over by Collyn RiversTravel trailers and their tow vehicles rarely jack-knife and roll over – but when they do the results are catastrophic. The cause, and how to prevent it, is explained here.  Why Caravans Roll Over offers solid advice for keeping yourself safe on the road.

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Cover of Caravan and Motorhome Books by Collyn RiversCaravan & Motorhome Electrics is the totally rewritten successor to the original globally selling Motorhome Electrics. The book’s content now also covers every aspect of designing, installing and fault finding of the electrics in fifth wheel and conventional travel trailers, camper trailers and motorhomes.

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Cover of Solar Success by Collyn RiversSolar Success explains how to design and build home and property systems that ensures affordable solar success first and every time.

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Home Page - rv books, Collyn Rivers, rv books for beginners, solar books, best rv books, rv repair books, solar success, caravan and motorhome electrics, solar that really works, The caravan and motorhome book, why caravans roll over, how to choose and buy an rvThe Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of camper trailer, travel trailer and fifth wheel travel trailer, campervan and motorhome usage. Like all of Collyn Rivers’ books it is technically sound yet written in plain English.

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Cover of Solar That Really Works by Collyn RiversSolar That Really Works! explains, in clear English, every detail of designing and installing solar in boats, camper trailers, travel trailers and motorhomes. It is up-to-date, valid globally and technically accurate. It is clear, concise and easy to follow without sacrificing important detail.

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How to Choose and Buy an RV

This is Collyn Rivers’ newest book.  Building on his years of experience and extensive knowledge of engineering and all things travel trailer and RV, this is the book you need with you when shopping for an RV.

Caravan & Motorhome Electrics

Collyn Rivers has done it again! – if you need to know anything about motorhome electrics, then this book is for you… Collyn must be, without doubt, the foremost authority in Australia on this subject.

The Wanderer (Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia Ltd)

Why Caravans Roll Over….and How to Prevent It​

Should be compulsory reading for everyone involved with Travel trailers: Design / Engineering, Marketing, Journalism (print & electronic), Regulations, Inspections, Driver-Training, Travel Trailer Clubs, Towing and Modifications.

Colin Young

Founder and CEO, Caravan Council of Australia

Solar that Really Works!

Collyn is an accomplished engineer who knows how to design and build successful systems. It is refreshing to see practical advice written in plain language when there is so little solar information around. . . this is an essential text . . . you won’t find a better guide.

Alan T. Gray

Earth Garden Magazine

The Caravan & Motorhome Book

Without doubt, this is the best book we have ever read . . . it will be treasured, and read on a regular basis.

The Wanderer (Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia Ltd)