Solar Calculator with map and weather

[klpauba]

I was surfin' around and found http://suncalc.net -- You can put in a location and date to find sunrise, sunset and sun position. A link is provided for a weather forcast for the date (includes cloud cover) if it is within the next week or so. For historical averages, the http://weatherspark.com site ... it is better for that.

I thought this might be helpful when planning a boondocking trip.

It does get me a little depressed as we go into winter, though.

[scrubjaysnest]

Winter sun conditions for solar is one reason it may be better to go 140 - 150 watts per 100 AH of battery. Also a good reason for the system to portable or tiltable. It took us all day to recover from our light usage in AZ, CA, and NM last winter with 160 watts of solar for 210 AH of battery.

[LoveToCamp]

klpauba, the days get longer in 5 weeks. Look at the (soon to get) bright side!

I just did 3 nights (dry camping) in eastern Colorado with about 220 ah of 12v batteries (2), and 200w of mounted solar. Ran the furnace evening and night, set to 55° in the evening, and 45° at night. Outside temps got down to 23° overnight.

Had no problems at all. Batteries were back to 12.9 or 13 each afternoon. Had sunny days. I am very happy with my solar setup, and its performance.

[klpauba]

Sounds like fun, LoveToCamp.

Are you able to tilt your panels? I'm kinda curious how many TM owners with solar adjust the angle based on their location and orientation.

[LoveToCamp]

No, I did not mount them to be adjustable. Thought about it, but I would have to adjust them before setting-up, and they would always be the same angle for the rest of the stay. Likely not any advantage to lying flat on my roof, since sun would not get optimum angle for an entire day.