How To Create A Solar Energy Diagram That Brings Life To Your Solar Project
Ahh there's nothing like having a good map to guide you along the way. Uncover why the solar energy diagram is THE solar map that will guide you along the way.
A Solar Energy Diagram Is A Map To Your Solar Future
Residential solar power systems can, like most electrical arrays, be diagrammed.
This creates a flowchart-style solar power diagram where...
- The input (the sun) is mapped to the collectors (the photovoltaic cells or the solar thermal pipes), and then
- The energy (in the form of either electricity or hot water) is charted to where it's stored.
A solar power diagram is a great diagnostic tool for figuring out what you need when you build your solar panels.
Your solar power diagram should be annotated with the information regarding:
- The total amount of sunlight you'll be getting,
- The conversion efficiency (as usual, hot water is more efficient, but less useful, than electricity),
- How heavy duty the wiring needs to be and other important factors.
Beware: A Solar Power Diagram Is Not The Same As A Contractor's Wiring Diagram
A solar power diagram is not the same as a contractor's wiring diagram, but it is an important step in making your solar power system effective.
- Solar power diagrams tell you how much of an inverter you'll need,
- They help you figure out how to reduce power losses from transmission through solar panel wiring,
- Solar power diagrams also give you a good idea for how much battery capacity you'll need in your system.
Solar Power Diagrams Help You To Map All Of Your Logistic Detail
Your solar power diagram should also cover details like:
- Sun exposure,
- How many hours of reliable sunlight you have, and
- Other logistics details of setting up your solar power system,
- like solar bank placement and
- where conduit lines need to run to be water tight and weather proof.
A Solar Water Heater's Solar Energy Diagram Covers Many Of The Details That Will Make Your Project A Success
If your solar power diagram is geared towards a solar hot water solution, it should also cover details like:
- How to improve the insulation of your hot water storage tank,
- Where to run your pipe conduits, and
- How to optimally position the circulatory pump so that it can keep the entire system running.
Solar Energy Diagramming Software Makes Your Solar Power Diagramming Process A Lot Easier
You can think of solar energy diagrams as a sensible way to follow the adage of 'measure three times, cut once' when it comes to putting in your solar power system.
- It's a way to check to make sure that everything's up to code.
Fortunately, just about any drawing program out there - even Microsoft Paint - can be used to rough out a solar power diagram.
There are a few web based applications that will walk you through a series of questions about your proposed solar power system, and they're fairly easy to use - if a bit basic.
Solar Energy Diagrams - The Bottom-Line
In a lot of ways, your solar power diagram is like an outline for an essay.
- It's possible to write an essay or an article without an outline, but it's a lot more work - and a lot likelier to turn into a rambling mess.
A solar power system built without a solar power diagram could result in an ineffective system...or worse.
- A solar power system built without a solar energy diagram could make your solar power system a hazard to your home.
Here's to finding a way to bring more solar power into your family!
P.S. Here's a few more tips to help your solar power projects go smoothly...
