CONTENTS AND EXTRACTS from:
A Manual of Home Solar Power Management, & Why
For the full free 68pp. file, refer to the Solar Manual PDF and WORD
versions, updated
17.12.09
The download speeds will depend on individual ISP and modem
capacities. Broadband and ADSL will, of course, be faster.
Introduction to the Use of Solar Energy
Simple Solar Economics Graph
Sizing Domestic Solar Systems
Solar Radiation Microbursts
Sizing Tables and Information
Relative Usage Battery Chart
Thumbnail Multipurpose Solar Sizing Equation
Flooded Lead Acid Battery Management Wall Chart
Easy User’s Guide
Battery Maintenance Summary
Notes on Solar Installation and Safety
Installation Check Sheet
Sample Solar Sizing Problem
Managing a Secondhand System
The LEAST You Should Know to Manage a Home Solar Power System
Unanswered Questions
Excerpts re Lead Acid Battery Types and Manufacture
Internet Sites and Useful Books
Appendix 1: Definition and Nature of FLA BatteriesAppendix 2: Fuel Efficiency versus Energy Efficiency
Appendix 3: Feedback Page, updated 21.03.04
Appendix 4: Customised Monitreg Data Example, refer also to Plasmatronics
Appendix 5: Australasian and European Solar Maps, refer also to Advanced Energy Group, at solar4power
Thanks are due, for their interest and support, and their kind consent to initiate mutual hyperlinks, to Homepower and Bill Darden.
Flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries are the principle power storage units utilised for the purposes of this Manual. Other battery types, including lead acid VRLA and AGM, may have differing operating ranges, voltages, chemistry, and/or charge regimes, please see Eaton Powerware
For all those anywhere in the world interested in alternative energy and climate issues, in particular solar energy generation and storage, and with the foresight and common sense to change their energy technology, this humble Beginner’s Manual is for you, too, and welcome! Whenever a grid goes down, you will at least have lights, radio, TV, computer internet, and telephone, which are now basic essentials in modern living. This ready energy access will enable keeping in touch with the rest of the world, (as well as keeping at bay literal and figurative darkness), maintaining that unique facility for maintaining extensive communications which defines, so aptly, the best accomplishments of our modern society. (See also the Introduction and Appendix 2 in the WORD and PDF versions)
Internet
For solar PV information, and other
alternative energy, try
these good introductory sites. The information can also be
complemented by utilising their links, and by using key search words in
conventional search engines such as Google.
For example, try battery chemistry, solar/battery technical data, deep
cycle batteries/care and maintenance, or solar research, solar/battery
glossaries, etc. Glossaries and FAQs
usually give
good value. See the Word and PDF versions of the
Manual for
a useful book list.
Note that some facts may differ, use your judgement, or, suggest cross-checking with other sources. and also check with related conventional texts and dictionaries as you find them.
Internet Sites Contents return
Accu Oerlikon (VRLA /AGM battery info)
Bill Darden (batteries galore!)
CREST (general info)
CSB Battery (VRLA/AGM battery info)
Eaton PowerwareENSO Wrap-Up, SOI Index Graphs (Pacific El Nino weather forecasts, graphs, and archival data )
Electrochemical Dictionary, Electrochemical Encyclopedia (extensive relevant definitions and data)
Home Power Magazine (very interesting and readable monthly periodical, with good archives)
HOMER (software to aid system planning and sizing)
Independent Power and Light (general info)
Physorg.com (updated technical advances)
Plasmatronics (monreg information and example)
PV FAQ (just what it says, very comprehensive, too)
SANDIA (good info and research data)
Solar4power (world solar maps, in colour)
Shaka Desulphation, InTheLight Desulphation
US Battery Company (more batteries)
US Department of Energy PV Factsheets (general info and research data)
WindSun (general info)
New Scientist (current Science and energy news, plus archival data)
and any links from all of these. See also the Useful Books list in the WORD and PDF versions, plus:
Epitaph for a Planetary Biosphere
Countering Alternative Energy Extant in NZ
**There are other battery types such as nickel-iron and nickel-cadmium which may be utilised for certain stationary backup/solar uses. Their voltages, charge cycles, and management are different again to lead-acid batteries, and are not described in this particular Manual.**
Main grid voltages vary world-wide, allow for this while Web browsing. This Manual is based on inversion of DC to 240v/50hz/grid interface and appliances. Standalone systems may vary from main grid standards, however.
Lead-acid batteries do not have real "memories", only apparent, caused by states and conditions that, if sustained, will lead to serious battery damage, especially resulting in hard crystal formation.
The deeper or more intense the discharge of
batteries, the more
material stress, and, the shorter their useful working life, even with
optimum regulated charging cycles.
Contents return