DC Microgrid/Solar: Difference between revisions

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* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000091867928.html Cheap charge controller from China], works well enough for its price, great for getting started
* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000091867928.html Cheap charge controller from China], works well enough for its price, great for getting started
* [https://libre.solar/ LibreSolar], open source MPPT with 10A or 20A, and a 20A PWM controller (also on OSE wiki: [https://wiki.opensourceecology.de/LibreSolar_BMS_–_Batterie_Management_System BMS]
* [https://libre.solar/ LibreSolar], open source MPPT with 10A or 20A, and a 20A PWM controller (also on OSE wiki: [https://wiki.opensourceecology.de/LibreSolar_BMS_–_Batterie_Management_System BMS]
** All connected together in a Goal Zero Yeti like box: [https://wiki.opensourceecology.de/SolarBox SolarBox] ([https://github.com/CollectiveOpenSourceHardware/LibreSolarBox GitHub])
** All connected together in a [https://www.solarpowersupply.de/produktgruppen/portable-power-stations Goal Zero Yeti] like box: [https://wiki.opensourceecology.de/SolarBox SolarBox] ([https://github.com/CollectiveOpenSourceHardware/LibreSolarBox GitHub])
* [http://makeable.de/mlab/makeable/sbms4080/ SMBS4080] older opensource project, for lithium batteries. Newer versions apparently availble but not sure if they are opensource [http://electrodacus.com/]
* [http://makeable.de/mlab/makeable/sbms4080/ SMBS4080] older opensource project, for lithium batteries. Newer versions apparently availble but not sure if they are opensource [http://electrodacus.com/]


== Project ideas ==
== Project ideas ==
* Integrated box with solar [https://reset.org/blog/suncrafter-dieses-startup-gibt-alten-solarmodulen-ein-zweites-leben-08132019 SunCrafter]
* Integrated box with solar [https://reset.org/blog/suncrafter-dieses-startup-gibt-alten-solarmodulen-ein-zweites-leben-08132019 SunCrafter]

Revision as of 09:22, 9 September 2019

Most DC grid installations we've talked about so far use solar power as their main energy source. So even though it's not directly part of the microgrid, here's a small collection of information on solar energy

Getting cheap solar panels

Used solar panels are ideal for us. There are a few places to get them

  • Used-Solar has an ebay shop. They ship panels, or you can pick them up in Leipzig. We got our panels for CCCamp19 from them
  • SecondSol is an online market place for used and new solar gear
  • eBay & eBay Kleinanzeigen

NOT getting cheap solar panels

Charge Controllers

Charge controllers connect the solar panels to the battery (and sometimes also to the load). There are cheap ones from China that work decent enough, and proper expensive ones. Also, there are OpenSource projects.

Project ideas