New to Solar - Resource Recommendations?

Eric Buller

I live in Liberia, West Africa and am preparing to move from the capital of Monrovia to a village location in the bush. Therefore, I am in the process of getting a "crash course" education in the design and installation of PV systems. As a guide, I am using the book "Photovoltaics: Design & Installation Manual" from SEI. It is a great resource, but since the latest edition was printed in 2007, some of the info is dated.

Considering that, I would welcome any recommendations for resources that will help me build an off-grid system. Books and websites are appreciated.

BB.

Re: New to Solar - Resource Recommendations?

Welcome to the forum Eric!

We have a thread with lots of common questions (random order) that may help:

Thread: Working Thread for Solar Beginner Post/FAQ

But the best way--Work with us "live" during the first parts of projects--It will make a lot more sense/be less confusing. There are many different ways to design/build a solution--And we narrow it down to one or two options that should meet your needs (and based on available/cost effective supplies).

The basic steps are:

1. Measure your loads (Watt*Hours per day, Amp*Hours at what voltage per day, etc.)
2. Look at those loads and see what you can cut/replace with more efficient loads (i.e., LED lighting is becoming more cost effective, and if you need "spot/work area" lights can be much more efficient than even CFL/Florescent lamps).
3. Replace your loads with more efficient loads and measure you loads.
4. Size the battery bank based on your daily loads. 1-3 days of storage and 50% maximum discharge (for flooded cell lead acid batteries). A good size is 2 days of storage and 50% maximum discharge or 4x your daily loads.
5. Size the Solar array to the size of the battery bank (larger battery bank needs larger solar array)
6. Size the Solar array to your daily loads (amount of sun, power usage by season)
7. Size the backup genset (if needed) + AC battery charger
8. Select equipment to support your design

-Bill

Eric Buller

Re: New to Solar - Resource Recommendations?

Bill,

Thanks for the quick response! I also appreciate your link to the thread for solar beginners. I kinda hesitate asking a question that "has been asked 1,000 times", but not knowing where to look to find where it was asked previously. Also, the internet is still slow and expensive in Liberia, so anything that saves me from spending a lot of time surfing for answers is greatly appreciated!

Thanks also for your willingness to "work with me live" and for the list of basic steps.

I look forward to working with you and the other forum members in the coming months!

Eric

BB.

Re: New to Solar - Resource Recommendations?

Not a problem Eric... We all started pretty much at the same place--Not knowing a thing about solar and finding some kind soul to help us start (and/or make a lot of expenses along the way).

-Bill