Solar Panel Power Estimator

A

AnnapolisStar

New Member
Joined
24 Jul 2007
Messages
5
Location
East Coast of U.S. and Bahamas
yachtsoftware.org
I have written a new spread sheet using the Visual basic language to estimate the power from a user specified solar panel rig. This spread sheet will estimate the power at all latitudes, at any time of the day, for any cloud cover and for either the PWM or MPPT charge controller. To my knowledge this is the first sophisticated program of its kind to do this. Other models estimate the power by simply multiplying the number of daylight hours by the max current and are somewhat crude. This model computes the sun azimuth and elevation at a given time of the day, computes the insolation of the sum, attenuates the insolation through the user specified cloud cover, projects the insolation onto the user specified solar panel and estimates the current from either the PWM or MPPT charge controller. It uses scientific models from Global Warming studies for accurate results. Specifically the program provides : AmpHrs vs time of day, Daily amphrs vs latitude, daily amphrs vs month of the year, the amphrs for both the PWM and MPPT controller, the total amphrs and kilowatthrs for the entire year. A special feature of the spreadsheet allows the user to enter his own measurements and compare them to the simulation values. We used this feature onboard the s/v Star and were able to double our power output by making small installation changes verified by the simulation.
A very neat solar panel installation is also described that mounts the panels on top of a bimini. This design requires no drilling through the stainless tubing and includes leveling screws for alignment.
We would be very interested in getting comments on the simulation which is available for free from our web site at http://YachtSoftware.org
 
A step undoubtedly in the right direction. 64000 dollar question is does it predict when the sun comes out and when its cloudy?. Insolation figures for June/July 2007 are 31% of the mean over the last 10 years
 
It is great to have an estimator. However it seems to me one can never have too much solar panel power. (or eveen enough)
The actual panels used are more likely decided upon how much room you have and how much cash you want to spend.
 
I agree with you wholeheartedly! Never enough! More panels more power, more power more cold beer! Never too much! No need to run genny etc. Mind you, you have to have a boat big enough to carry them, I have four 80w now and would like at least two more, I have the room! Could get two more on the w/house roof! that would be 480 wattts!!! That might be almost enough!!
 
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