I'm trying to figure out the power output I can expect from my solar panel setup. My solar radiation totals about 5.71 kWh/m²/day annually, and my annual AC energy production is 6,336 kWh. I plan to use two 400W solar panels, a 48V 100Ah battery, and a 100A solar charger. Can anyone help me estimate how much power I can get in an 8-hour day on an hourly basis? Also, are there any additional components I should consider for a reliable system?
5 Answers
The output really depends on various factors like your latitude, any shading from nearby buildings or trees, and the time of year. For instance, with 800W of panels, I usually get around 4kWh on a good day, but it fluctuates throughout the day and season.
In general, if you're getting around 5 peak sun hours at about 90%, you're looking at something like 3600 watts. This will vary based on your specific location and conditions though!
If you want to do some calculations, check out PVWatts. It's a useful tool for estimating solar output based on your location. Just remember that your actual output may vary from what you calculate based on real-world conditions!
I’ve already checked that site for data on my solar radiation and annual AC energy.
You might want to double-check your charger specs. A 100A charger seems excessive for a setup with 800W of panels. You'd typically need about 16A at most. It's good to have some extra capacity for efficiency, but going that far is a bit much.
Your setup could ideally yield around 4.5 kWh daily from the two 400W panels if everything goes as planned. On the bright side, your battery can store up to 4.8 kWh. Just keep in mind that during winter, you might face issues keeping the battery charged if you're using a lot of that energy, given the losses in the system.
What do you mean by "around here"? Are those conditions consistent?