Can we talk about a BASIC UNIVERSAL simple PV kit for preppers.

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(31 August 2012, 20:55)Skvez Wrote: So lets look at a small system

Radio (listening) 12V 0.1A 2 hours a day = 2.4Wh/day
LED lights 3W 3 hours a day = 9 Wh/day
Rechargeable batteries, say one set of 4 each day. 1.5V, 2.5Ah, 4 batteries = 15Wh but charging is probably only about 50% efficient so 30Wh/day
Kindle is tiny say 1Wh/day (daily average given that you probably only charge it every couple of weeks)
Typical self discharge of a 110Ah battery 2Wh/day
Total daily needs: 44.4Wh

My 100W solar panel under test for 2011 produced an average of 93Wh/day but before you think "Great I only need 50W of solar panel" you need to consider that between November and January it produced an average of only 14Wh/day suggesting you need closer to 300W of solar to get through the winter (or a lot of battery to get you through the winter months).

Excellent analysis and real life based advice.

Thanks Skves, this was very useful.