Built A tiny home, but it has solar issues

[The_realTW]

Love you guys and all your help, but I'm on page 40 and its talking about my energy bills (which I do not have) and where my trees should be in my yard. Is there a certain section I should be reading. Its interesting information to be sure, but so far I saw one graph of household usage VS solar availability that looked remotely interesting. Im certain there is a specific area I can drill down, or do I read the entire book?

Thanks, and happy Saturday

[J.P.M.]

I like it, thanks. Yeah I think the basics of electricity havent changed much since the edison/Tesla years. I will start boning up tonight! Im sure it will be fascinating reading!

You're welcome. The read will most likely put some real meat on your questions. That will enable subsequent answers to those questions to cover more ground to fill in knowledge gaps your questions help you to see.

Good luck and happy discovery.

[The_realTW]

If you need the basics, which appears to be the case, since PV panels, inverters and wiring, the basics of electricity, energy conservation techniques and the basics of the solar resource haven't changed much or not at all between the time of the original publication and the revision, those things are pretty much the same.

Since the free PDF is available for the price of a few keystrokes and mouse clicks, I'd download and read it. Then, I'd order/buy the revised copy and read it as well, noting the changes.

I like it, thanks. Yeah I think the basics of electricity havent changed much since the edison/Tesla years. I will start boning up tonight! Im sure it will be fascinating reading!

[J.P.M.]

Would the outdated one be any good, how much as solar changed since (The one i found was from 2014) same book different cover, also I am not against buying the latest version, again it doesnt matter to me which one, Im curious which one I would benefit more from,

If you need the basics, which appears to be the case, since PV panels, inverters and wiring, the basics of electricity, energy conservation techniques and the basics of the solar resource haven't changed much or not at all between the time of the original publication and the revision, those things are pretty much the same.

Since the free PDF is available for the price of a few keystrokes and mouse clicks, I'd download and read it. Then, I'd order/buy the revised copy and read it as well, noting the changes.

[The_realTW]

Snoop around on the net and you can find a free but slightly dated PDF download.

Would the outdated one be any good, how much as solar changed since (The one i found was from 2014) same book different cover, also I am not against buying the latest version, again it doesnt matter to me which one, Im curious which one I would benefit more from,

[The_realTW]

Don't get discouraged! We all have to start somewhere. I first learned about DC working on my car. Since you already have experience working with DC, and have 5 multi-meters, you are already ahead of some. We here are happy to help. What I would suggest though is don't make impulse purchases of random equipment that appears to be a good deal. Flesh out your ideas to the group here and get a critique of your design. And always remember that in series volts add, but amps stays the same. In parallel, amps add, but voltage stays the same.

Not discouraged at all, in fact I am ENCOURAGED. I will learn more and lay out my system before moving forward. I will also accept help and critique from this forum, as it sounds like the members are ready to do so!

[MichaelK!]

I already told you I have no knowledge of this stuff. When I built the TINY I learned a lot, but paid someone else to do the solar. I am fully capable and eager to learn all there is to know to make this right.

Don't get discouraged! We all have to start somewhere. I first learned about DC working on my car. Since you already have experience working with DC, and have 5 multi-meters, you are already ahead of some. We here are happy to help. What I would suggest though is don't make impulse purchases of random equipment that appears to be a good deal. Flesh out your ideas to the group here and get a critique of your design. And always remember that in series volts add, but amps stays the same. In parallel, amps add, but voltage stays the same.

[J.P.M.]

Thanks Again Guys, Ill buy the book today, hopefully I can get an Ebook, since I am in Mexico!

EDIT:

Umm Guys!, Which One?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=solar+pow...f=nb_sb_noss_2

Snoop around on the net and you can find a free but slightly dated PDF download.

[Mike90250]

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies

[The_realTW]

Thanks Again Guys, Ill buy the book today, hopefully I can get an Ebook, since I am in Mexico!

EDIT:

Umm Guys!, Which One?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=solar+power+for+dummies&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

[sdold]

The_realTW, thanks for hanging in there and and I second Mike's suggestion to read the "Dummies" book, I find them the best way to really absorb a topic fast. "Calculus for Dummies" was the only way I finally "got" it. Between the book and this forum you'll be up to speed in no time.

[Mike90250]

I've recently had to give up a planned install on an RV. The owner can't even unlatch the hood of his truck, he was yanking on the prop stick trying to get the hood to release.
There is no way I could train him to to plug the red plug into the red jack for his remote panels.

What I'm saying is you have to have some background and common language. Start with the book "Solar Power For Dummies" seriously. It covers the basics, gives a start to the terminology, and leaves you in a position to ask questions we can answer and not have to have a tutorial for each step

[The_realTW]

As for your other question concerning the tie in, the first panel and second panel go to a special adapter then ONE line runs to the charge controller, so in "series"?.

Did the solar connectors you referred to above look like the letter Y?

If the answer is yes, then you do NOT have a series connection, but a parallel one. I'm not trying to be an ass, but you absolutely need to understand solar terminology if you are going to put together a functioning system.

You first need to understand the addage, in series volts add, but amps stays the same. In parallel, amps add, but voltage stays the same. So, it looks like what the installer did was place a 37V panel in parallel with a 12V panel. I will not use the i-word again, but I have to say you are NOT getting value for your installation dollars.

I think your best bet is to totally disassemble the system, and re-wire it from scratch. The low amp output is going to be a serious problem for your 400Ah batteries. What you will need to do is go up on the roof and figure out how many panels of whatever size will fit, either your big grid-ties or little 100W 12V panels. Then wire them in series to get 60-75VDC. A series connection is connecting the +connection of panel #1 to the -connection of panel #2, then the +connection of panel 2 goes to the -connection of panel three, and so on and so on. Keep in mind that laying flat you are not likely to see more than 60% output, so your panels needed would be (400Ah X 1/10C X 13V charging X 1.25FF)/0.6 = 867W. Call i 800 or 900W of panels

You will need to increase the number of amps charging those batteries, or decrease the size of the batteries. There's no such thing as a free lunch. It's going to work when it's done properly.

Michael,

I already told you I have no knowledge of this stuff. When I built the TINY I learned a lot, but paid someone else to do the solar. I am fully capable and eager to learn all there is to know to make this right. I totally agree I did not get the value out of the install, but what is done is done.

as for the panels in series or parellel, well I took a guess. I remember the "Y" connector having "I word proof connections" as I was told. You simply could not hook them up wrong. I agree that starting from scratch will be best. My first thought is a smaller "inverter" and I am not sure if I will keep the batteries. I guess that depends on how much panel space I can manufacture and also more importantly my "energy audit" count once it is done.

I cannot stress enough I appreciate every word written here, I have had more help and more advice and more everything then I ever got from my installer.

Finally as I do like to learn, any easy to understand resources you wish to share to get me to "bone up" on this, I would be happy to digest. Preferably from a trusted source and not someone on Youtube looking for more clicks on their channel.

Thanks

BTW, this is what is on the roof running from the panels to the Charge controller!

2021-02-10_23-37-43.jpg

[MichaelK!]

As for your other question concerning the tie in, the first panel and second panel go to a special adapter then ONE line runs to the charge controller, so in "series"?.

Did the solar connectors you referred to above look like the letter Y?

If the answer is yes, then you do NOT have a series connection, but a parallel one. I'm not trying to be an ass, but you absolutely need to understand solar terminology if you are going to put together a functioning system.

You first need to understand the addage, in series volts add, but amps stays the same. In parallel, amps add, but voltage stays the same. So, it looks like what the installer did was place a 37V panel in parallel with a 12V panel. I will not use the i-word again, but I have to say you are NOT getting value for your installation dollars.

I think your best bet is to totally disassemble the system, and re-wire it from scratch. The low amp output is going to be a serious problem for your 400Ah batteries. What you will need to do is go up on the roof and figure out how many panels of whatever size will fit, either your big grid-ties or little 100W 12V panels. Then wire them in series to get 60-75VDC. A series connection is connecting the +connection of panel #1 to the -connection of panel #2, then the +connection of panel 2 goes to the -connection of panel three, and so on and so on. Keep in mind that laying flat you are not likely to see more than 60% output, so your panels needed would be (400Ah X 1/10C X 13V charging X 1.25FF)/0.6 = 867W. Call i 800 or 900W of panels

You will need to increase the number of amps charging those batteries, or decrease the size of the batteries. There's no such thing as a free lunch. It's going to work when it's done properly.

[Mike90250]

You can't mix PV panels at random, they need to be matched