If you want to keep a battery topped off while in storage then 15-25 watt might be good.. I have a 5 watt panel that helps.
If you want to use solar to supplement your generator add at least a digit to that wattage, figure 150 watts, min.
Look about at what you wish to run on solar.. Television, LCD's are usually less than 100 watts depending on size may be less than 50, CRT's can run 200-300, Fridge run on gas, a few watts, run on electric 350, Forget A/C or water heater (1000 to 1500 watts each) save for gas heat and perhaps a swamp cooler in the desert (50-100 watts, favor the low end)
Total the number of watt hours, (Don't forget the sat receiver) then figure out how many hours of sun you have, Divide the hours by TWO (If you have 10 hours of sun 10/2=5, Divide watt hours by that result 1000 watt hours per day/5= 200 amp hours of panels.
NOTE: do not neglect your 12 volt loads.. TS-200 in transmit...... Around 150 watts
Second suggestion.. When figuring amps (As opposed to watts) to determine wire sizes and such,,, Instead of using actual battery voltage use 10.
1: It makes for much easier math
2: It gives you a bit of a safety factor
3: It is not all that far from the proper efficency correction for things like inverrters (12*0.9= 10.8, most inverters are right close to 90 percent at peak efficency)
|