Category Archives: Solar power

PV install done!

Posted on Sunday June 26th, 2011 by stephen

The PV installation is finally completed and the battery have had their first taste of those juicy solar electrons. The tech details: 12 x Yingli 235W modules for 2.82kW of installed PV wired in 4 strings of 3 panels. 100Vmp … Continue reading →

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Version 0.1 Battery Monitor

Posted on Sunday February 20th, 2011 by stephen

Basic features working well: Measuring SG and temp and calculating the SoC. Displaying on LCD and working over SMS.

Posted in Off grid power, Solar power | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

SG data logger, first steps

Posted on Monday January 31st, 2011 by stephen

The helpful chaps at JSA Photonics sent over a replacement sensor and it’s working rather nicely. Have only run real tests using a single SG value as my battery doesn’t cycle much yet. Got the dimensions of the cell cap … Continue reading →

Posted in Off grid power, Solar power | 3 Comments

SMA Sunny Island AC Coupling

Posted on Wednesday May 13th, 2009 by stephen

Designing off-grid wind and solar installations differs from grid tied installations in a number of important ways such as: The solar array must be in a certain restricted voltage range The solar and/or wind generator must be kept very close … Continue reading →

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Sizing an off grid photovoltaic system

Posted on Friday January 4th, 2008 by stephen

An off-grid PV system typically consists of a PV array, a battery bank, charger, backup generator and inverter to convert the DC from the solar panels and battery to the more useful AC used by home appliances. I’ve created a … Continue reading →

Posted in Solar power | 2 Comments