weather and RE lessons

[xsnrg]

So, like anyone that is new(er) to RE, there is a lot to learn.  I set out on an adventure to close that gap for myself, and have learned much.  I currently don't have any needs, just desires, which puts me in a great place to learn.

Check out the forecast in the attached pic.  This is our forecast starting today (Dec 12)

Given I am seeing about 5-10% of panel capacity on days like this, there is another good lesson... It would take about 1.5kw of panels to keep even a single 12v battery healthy.  There isn't much wind, and no hydro available.  Those that are in the need category dig out the generator.  Fortunately, I have a reliable grid with relatively inexpensive rates that I can fall back on.  I will keep learning. 

[mike90045]

yeah, tell me about it.  Looking at the forecast, some sun for tomorrow for northern california
Have had 2 weeks of cloud cover & rain.  Averaging about 3 generator hours daily @ 2,500w just to keep batteries
at mid charge (reason I went with NiFe, they will live half charged). Last 2 days were stellar production days, of 1,100wh from 5Kw of panels.  Yow !!  Screen shot from several days ago (Weather underground)
The rainstorm on Dec 10 & 11 gave us 4.2", most of that in a 10 hour period.

[Westbranch]

Mike, same up here in central BC....  just not much precip., though we did get a couple of hard warm rain spells yesterday that finished off what little snow we had left after 3 days of  +5 to 12* C. over 2 feet when the Chinook started... otherwise all overcast days ans scant number of sun beams coming in  through a small opening or two...  can't wait for the cold weather and the sun to return...

[xsnrg]

Central Iowa here.  The forecast is holding true so far.  Wednesday looks to be our first day of sun in over a week.  Got tired of worrying about the battery, dropped a smart charger on it and set it to 2A.  It supplies about 2.4 amps, and my static load is about 2A.  The solar will do what it can during the day, but I won't kill the battery.  Just annoyed at using the grid, even for my small non-critical setup.

[philb]

With no sun and no wind, it is difficult to maintain battery charge without a generator or grid power. That's a lesson I'm still learning also. We did get almost a full day of sun yesterday. I got both battery packs on float and did an EQ on the traction batteries.

We have another front that's here this morning with rain. I hope the sun will have a chance to peek from behind the clouds a few times. This Wx pattern could hold out for most of the winter. 
With gas and diesel prices plummeting, that means the generator costs $2 per gal. per hour to run vs. $4!

[xsnrg]

Giant firey floating mystical orb made an appearance today, got my float on.  Now the forecast is back into the nether regions.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Polk+City&state=IA&site=DMX&textField1=41.7731&textField2=-93.7165&e=1#.VJI-bc1Gh5Q

[TomW]

Boy, howdee!

Barely keeping ahead of base loads of inverters and controllers the last couple weeks with 9 hour days and clouds / overcast / fog ad infinitum.

A couple more days and it starts going the other way. Or so I heard.

[philb]

A couple more days and it starts going the other way. Or so I heard.

I'm ready and willing to see that! I went from taking 25% off the grid to 75% this month on one system. Generator on the other has seen excessive run times lately. I think I'll get my shades on and watch for the sun next week while NOT holding my breath.


Incidentally, I took three Classics off "solar" and put them on "Legacy PO" to see what would happen. It was dark and overcast at midday. On "solar", I got 800 watts out of 7,100 watts of panels. On "Legacy PO" I got 400 watts. I did reboot the Classics and turned the mode to on before taking the readings.  It was worth a try! 

[xsnrg]

Plug your locale into this.  Here is mine.  It's just not cool.   

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w3u=1&w4=sky&w13u=0&w15u=1&pqpfhr=6&psnwhr=6&AheadHour=0&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=41.7731&textField2=-93.7165&site=dmx&unit=0&dd=&bw=

EDIT:  MAY get sun for Christmas... what a present!

[xsnrg]

A nice little present of Sunny skies and many amps today!  Merry Christmas all.