Off grid lighting can be many things for many people and can cover many and varied projects from Super high importance to simple fun projects. Examples can be; high power security lighting and associated equipment or just a simple garden light.
There are basic steps to think about when designing your off grid power and lighting system. As it will not have the certainty of the umbilical cord that is the mains AC power supply and it will have to stand and function alone. There really aren't that many parts needed build the home power system. Commonly this will include solar PV panels, A large often lead acid storage battery, a solar controller to regulate power correctly, a fuse box and of course the associated cabling, switches and light fittings. It will require a little patience and time to ensure everything is places correctly and importantly to ensure it is up to the duty you require of it.
The fist thing to do is calculate how much solar power is required. In this regard we mean how many Photovoltaic panels and what size - or how many watts we need. The second and also very important thing to consider is where the panels can be installed. They should never be subject to any potential shading from nearby trees or shrubs and should be pointing as near South as possible. The angle of inclination or tilt is also worth getting right so look to have an average angle of around 45 degrees at least for the UK this will be true.
In the UK, the optimum mounting angle is around 30 to 45 degrees from horizontal and of course, as directly south facing as possible.
It is helpful to be able access your solar array for maintenance. It may be necessary to clean panels that are mounted at a very shallow angle of say 10 or 15 degrees due to the build up of moss, bird droppings and lichens. If the panels can be mounted at a good angle not only will this ensure a better yield of power across the various months of the year but it will also assist with the natural cleaning effect from general weather conditions. It also important to ensure roof mounted panels are safe and will not be dislodged by high winds.
I will like to stress that a good angle of inclination of say over 30 degrees, at least in the UK,will ensure your PV panels remain clean and yield good power.
In order to calculate what power in watts we require our solar array to be we need to look at when the least amount of power will be available. In the UK this will of course be winter time. We allow just one hour of solar production as our calculator for winter power yield. So a well positioned 300 watt PV array will produce 300 watt hours based on the potential of 1 full hour of sunshine. Summer yield will be a lot higher at perhaps 4 to 5 hours a day. However, there are some losses to subtract from our final figure so we can basically deduct a further 20 percent giving us around 240 watt hours.
There is so much more to consider in practical terms and you see more on our blog at the OnSolar website, see link below.
There are basic steps to think about when designing your off grid power and lighting system. As it will not have the certainty of the umbilical cord that is the mains AC power supply and it will have to stand and function alone. There really aren't that many parts needed build the home power system. Commonly this will include solar PV panels, A large often lead acid storage battery, a solar controller to regulate power correctly, a fuse box and of course the associated cabling, switches and light fittings. It will require a little patience and time to ensure everything is places correctly and importantly to ensure it is up to the duty you require of it.
The fist thing to do is calculate how much solar power is required. In this regard we mean how many Photovoltaic panels and what size - or how many watts we need. The second and also very important thing to consider is where the panels can be installed. They should never be subject to any potential shading from nearby trees or shrubs and should be pointing as near South as possible. The angle of inclination or tilt is also worth getting right so look to have an average angle of around 45 degrees at least for the UK this will be true.
In the UK, the optimum mounting angle is around 30 to 45 degrees from horizontal and of course, as directly south facing as possible.
It is helpful to be able access your solar array for maintenance. It may be necessary to clean panels that are mounted at a very shallow angle of say 10 or 15 degrees due to the build up of moss, bird droppings and lichens. If the panels can be mounted at a good angle not only will this ensure a better yield of power across the various months of the year but it will also assist with the natural cleaning effect from general weather conditions. It also important to ensure roof mounted panels are safe and will not be dislodged by high winds.
I will like to stress that a good angle of inclination of say over 30 degrees, at least in the UK,will ensure your PV panels remain clean and yield good power.
In order to calculate what power in watts we require our solar array to be we need to look at when the least amount of power will be available. In the UK this will of course be winter time. We allow just one hour of solar production as our calculator for winter power yield. So a well positioned 300 watt PV array will produce 300 watt hours based on the potential of 1 full hour of sunshine. Summer yield will be a lot higher at perhaps 4 to 5 hours a day. However, there are some losses to subtract from our final figure so we can basically deduct a further 20 percent giving us around 240 watt hours.
There is so much more to consider in practical terms and you see more on our blog at the OnSolar website, see link below.
About the Author:
Looking to find out about Off Grid Lighting, then visit www.onsolar.co.uk to find straight forward information and advice low voltage low energy 12v and 24v lighting right now.
