How do we calculate solar panel sizing for charging 12 volt, 24 volt, 48 volt, 96 volt (parallel connection) in a battery?
To calculate solar panel sizing for charging batteries of different voltages, you need to consider the battery capacity (in amp-hours or Ah), desired charging time (in hours), solar panel wattage (in watts or W), and system efficiency.
The basic formula to calculate solar panel sizing is:
Solar panel size (W) = (Battery capacity (Ah) × Battery voltage (V) × Charging time factor) / System efficiency
The charging time factor depends on the number of daily sun hours and the desired charging time in hours. System efficiency accounts for energy losses in the system, which typically range from 0.7 to 0.9.
Let’s break down the steps to calculate solar panel sizing for each battery voltage:
Determine the battery capacity (Ah) and desired charging time (in hours).
Calculate the required charging current (A) = Battery capacity (Ah) / Charging time (hours).
Calculate the required charging power (W) = Charging current (A) × Battery voltage (V).
Estimate system efficiency. A common value is 0.8, but you can adjust it based on your specific setup.
Calculate solar panel size (W) = Required charging power (W) / System efficiency.
For each battery voltage (12V, 24V, 48V, and 96V), repeat steps 1 to 5 using the specific battery voltage. Note that the battery capacity and desired charging time should be determined based on your energy needs and location.
Keep in mind that this is a simplified calculation that doesn’t consider factors such as temperature variations, shading, and panel orientation.
For more accurate sizing, consult with a solar professional or use advanced software tools.