Solar Power Information to help members make decisions

[sdtripper2]

Solar Power Information Thread
This thread should contain information and URLs pointing to
Solar Power stuff that could help forum members in their
decision making. I have correlated questions, answers
and URLs from the past here to start off this thread.
<img align="right" src= "http://www.cnesolarstore.com/SI_kcfamily.jpg">
Feel free to add your information and or URLs


Solar Power & Controllers:

Question:
Where is a good starting point to decide if I want Solar Power?
Answer:
Great RV article on choosing a Solar System

Question:
What is the lowest cost solar panel I can get?
Answer:
Some people get this HF Solar 45 watt kit

<img align="left" src= "http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=31959"width="220" height="150" />
Question:
I want to boondock for an extended period of time. What solar setup do i need?
Answer:
Bruce (bdosborn) explains exactly what is needed for Solar equipment
for boondocking for an extended time. Thanks Bruce~
More links on boondocking

Add-solar-power-to-your-truck-or-camper
Question:
How do some mount Solar panels or use stands to point them at the sun?
Answer:
Solar mounting and PVC stands Thread

Question:
Where can I get a more information on Solar Power Systems?
Answer:
Ultimate RV Solar Power System Diagram Touted by Mike

Question:
Where can I get a more information on Solar Power Kits?
Answer:
SunExplorer TM RV SOLAR POWER KITS Touted by Mike
Portable Solar Panel Review ~ Bruce Osborn (bdosborn)

Question:
Where can I get more information on Solar Power?
Answer:
SunExplorer TM RV SOLAR POWER KITS Touted by Mike
Rush Dougherty spend at least three years traveling and learned allot about Solar Power PDF
Steve and Elizabeth at Backwoods Solar in Idaho ... Mike's Favorite catalog
Mikes choice of 65 watt solar panel
and here's some info on charge controllers
Solar Power Thread
Solar Power Thread 2
Solar Power Thread 3
Home Power Magazine
RV Solar information
"PowerSheet"solar panels from Nanosolar
Popular Science's Green "Grand Award Winner" for 2007
RV Solar source books & free Solar Electric Catalog & Design Planner
Arizona Sun & Wind Power systems
Ideas of Solar build & Use
Back Woods Solar
(One Persons) Ultimate RV Electrical System
Solar Cupons
Inexpensive Harbor Freight Solar Charger thread


Portable Solar Power Projects
Portable Power Project "IkePack"
Compact, Durable, and Portable Solar Energy Generator
The DIY Solar Charger


Question:
Where can I get a Calculator to decide how much solar equipment I will need?
Answer:
Solar Power Calculator
Power consumption table
Power consumption table2
RV Solar information
Power Consumption Reference Guide
Solar Power sizing Calculator
Off-Grid Solar Electric System Calculator and many how-tos here

End Sun Power Information


Wind powered generators & projects
<img align="right" src= "http://builditsolar.com/Projects/Wind/Bergey.jpg">
Wind Turbine Concepts Defined and Explained
Wind powered generator?
My teardrop power (Eddie's project)
My teardrop power (Bob Osborn project)
More links to wind power (Bob Osborn sugests)
Carving Wooden Blades
Wind Power Projects
(Got Wind org) The renewable energy source

[madjack]

...good compilation Steve...as expected from the search garoux ...thanks for the effort.........

[mikeschn]

Nice collection of solar informatin Steve, good job as always!

Mike...

[B52]

Thanks Steve. Now if the sun would just come out!!!!

[Oasis Maker]

...good compilation Steve...as expected from the search garoux ...thanks for the effort.........

Yeah, absolutely. You do rock with the research/link info Steve. I just got finished watching an awesome half hour Charlie Rose show with Malcolm Gladwell that you posted. You really help contribute to why this forum isn't just "hee haw!" Thanks bud.

Scott G.

[TinKicker]

Steve, you and my dad would get along great...he's another list-making lunatic...which in this case is a compliment!
This is already gonna' answer a LOT of questions for folks...good job.
Now, about the windmills and water turbines...

[sdtripper2]

Now, about the windmills and water turbines.

Well, taking your suggestion to heart I have
Added a Section for Wind Generators

uP on that first post.

Now water turbines ~ hasn't been a big discussion subject here for Tiny Trailers.
Now you start a thread and get some interest in damning uP the Colorado in another place
so Teardrops can have DVD and Refrig power and I will put the information uP top.

[TinKicker]

Steve, as you can see in my avatar, my hat is off to you!
Firing up Sketchup...let's get on that dam! Marine 1/2" or 3/4"? Hmmmmmmm.....have to sleep on that one. It's 11:05 and I've gotta' get up at 5:30. Goodnight all!!!

[savano]

Thank you Steve

I am considering both solar and wind to keep my xm, ipod, cell, mac, kindle, rebel, charged for a 3-4 month odyssey in my yet to be built Puffin clone.

[S. Heisley]

Steve:

You're The Man!

Thanks!

[jimmcnic]

Hi,

Saw these on an Alto teardrop. Check out the link.

http://www.safaricondo.com/alto/access/solarpanels.php

Jim

[Ageless]

What we really need is the design that has been developed by the military for spy satelites. Those cells can generate from moon and starlight!

[dreadcptflint]

Hi,

Saw these on an Alto teardrop. Check out the link.

http://www.safaricondo.com/alto/access/solarpanels.php

Jim

The panels are mounted on a curve, they will never come close to the rating....

[Corwin C]

What we really need is the design that has been developed by the military for spy satelites. Those cells can generate from moon and starlight!

One advantage that the satellites have is that they get perfect (no weather) direct sunlight for at least 1/2 of every orbit. A typical low earth orbit is about 90 minutes, so the batteries only have to last 45 minutes. If they are in a high altitude or high inclination orbit (where a large number of them are) they can actually have access to direct sunlight 24 hours a day for large parts of the year (similar to Finland in summer.) The geosynchronous satellites (satellite TV, weather, communications, etc.) have full sunlight all of the time except for a few minutes each day for a couple of weeks around the spring and fall equinoxes. The designer just includes panels that provide enough current to charge the battery during those "worst case periods" (+ a little for loss/inefficiency/age degradation) and they're set. In most places on Earth you would need battery storage for 12 hours or more, and you are at the mercy of the weather.

Yes, they do have access to better technology than we do, but it comes at a premium ($$$$$$$$$$$). I've heard that some power (very limited) is available from moonlight, but I've never heard of it from starlight (I can't imagine that there would be enough photons to make it work.)

Also, until fairly recently, many of those satellites and most deep space probes used nuclear power (small plutonium reactor) rather than solar as a primary power source. It's my understanding that once a solar panel gets out past Jupiter, it's pretty much useless because there just isn't enough sunlight at that distance.

[bdosborn]

Boy, this info is getting pretty old and there are a lot of deadlinks. Steve, are you still available to update this sticky?

Bruce