Soli Lighting Solar Lighting Calculation / Sizing

In order to calculate the solar lighting requirements for a given area, you need to consider several factors, including the size of the area, the required illumination level, the efficiency of the lighting fixtures, and the solar panel and battery specifications. Here's a step-by-step guide to perform these calculations:

Step 1: Determine the Required Illumination

The required illumination level is usually measured in lux (lumens per square meter). Different applications have different requirements:

- Residential areas: 50-100 lux

- Commercial areas: 200-300 lux

- Industrial areas: 300-500 lux

Step 2: Calculate the Total Luminous Flux Needed

{Total Lumens} = {Illumination Level (lux)} \times \ {Area (square meters)} \]

Step 3: Select the Lighting Fixtures

Choose Soli Lighting LED lighting fixtures and find out their lumen output and power consumption. LED lights are preferred for solar applications due to their high efficiency.

Step 4: Calculate the Total Power Consumption

{Total Power} = {Total Lumens}} {\ {Lumens per Watt of LED}} \]

Step 5: Determine the Solar Panel and Battery Requirements

 

Solar Panel Sizing in Solar Street Lights:

1. *Daily Energy Consumption (Wh): *

   {Daily Energy Consumption} = \ {Total Power (W)} \times \ {Operating Hours per Day} \]

2. *Solar Panel Capacity: *

   {Solar Panel Capacity (W)} = {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)\ {Peak Sun Hours per Day}} \]

   - Peak sun hours vary by location, typically between 3-6 hours.

Battery:

1. *Battery Capacity (Wh): *

   {Battery Capacity (Wh)} = \ {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)} \times \ {Number of Days of Autonomy} \]

   - Days of autonomy is the number of days the system should operate without sunlight, typically 1-3 days.

2. *Battery Capacity (Ah): *

   {Battery Capacity (Ah)} = \frac {\ {Battery Capacity (Wh)}}{\{Battery Voltage (V)}} \]

 

Example Calculation

Let's go through an example calculation:

 Given:

- Area: 100 square meters

- Required illumination: 200 lux

- LED efficiency: 100 lumens per watt

- Operating hours per day: 10 hours

- Peak sun hours: 5 hours

- Battery voltage: 12V or 12.8V Soli Lion Battery

- Days of autonomy: 2 days

 

Steps:

1. *Total Lumens Needed: *

   {Total Lumens} = 200 \, \{lux} \times 100 {m}^2 = 20,000 {lumens}]

2. *Total Power Consumption: *

   {Total Power} = {20,000 {lumens}100 \, \{lumens/watt}} = 200 {watts}]

3. *Daily Energy Consumption: *

   {Daily Energy Consumption} = 200 {W} \times 10 {hours} = 2,000 {Wh}]

4. *Solar Panel Capacity: *

   {Solar Panel Capacity} = 2,000 {Wh}} {5 {hours}} = 400 {W} \]

5. *Battery Capacity (Wh): *

   {Battery Capacity} = 2,000 {Wh} \times 2 = 4,000 {Wh} \]

6. *Battery Capacity (Ah): *

   {Battery Capacity} = {4,000 {Wh}} {12 {V}} = 333.33 {Ah} \]

So, for an area of 100 square meters requiring 200 lux of illumination for 10 hours a day, with 5 peak sun hours and 2 days of Soli Lion battery autonomy, you would need:

- A 400 W solar panel

- A 4,000 Wh (or 333.33 Ah) battery at 12V

This calculation provides a basic framework. In practice, you should consider factors such as system losses, battery depth of discharge, and the efficiency of the charge controller and inverter if present.

 

To size a solar system for an 80W LED light with a lithium battery, you'll need to determine the solar panel and battery specifications that will ensure the system operates efficiently. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide:

 

Step 1: Determine the Daily Energy Consumption

1. *LED Power Rating: * 80W

2. *Operating Hours per Day: * Let's assume the light needs to operate for 12 hours each night.

 

{Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)} = \ {Power (W)} \times \ {Operating Hours} \]

{Daily Energy Consumption} = 80 \, \text{W} \times 12 \, \text{hours} = 960 \, \ {Wh} \]

 

Step 2: Solar Panel Sizing

1. *Peak Sun Hours: * This depends on your location. We'll assume an average of 5 peak sun hours per day.

{Solar Panel Power (W)} = {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)}} {\ {Peak Sun Hours}} \]

{Solar Panel Power} = \ {960 \, \ {Wh}} {5 \, \text{hours}} = 192 \, \text{W} \]

 

Adding a safety margin of 20% to account for system inefficiencies and potential shading:

 

{Solar Panel Power} = 192 \, \text{W} \times 1.2 = 230.4 \, \text{W} \]

 

You would round up to a standard panel size, e.g., a 240W or 250W solar panel.

 

Step 3: Battery Sizing

1. *Battery Voltage: * Common lithium battery voltages are 12V, 24V, and 48V. We'll use 12V for this example.

2. *Days of Autonomy: * Number of days the system should operate without sunlight. Typically, 2-3 days. We'll assume 2 days.

 

{Battery Capacity (Wh)} = \ {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)} \times \ {Days of Autonomy} \]

{Battery Capacity} = 960 \, \ {Wh} \times 2 = 1920 \, \ {Wh} \]

 

3. *Battery Capacity in Ampere-Hours (Ah): *

{Battery Capacity (Ah)} = {Battery Capacity (Wh)}} {{Battery Voltage (V)}} \]

{Battery Capacity} = {1920 \{Wh}} {12 {V}} = 160 {Ah} \]

 

Step 4: Charge Controller Sizing

The charge controller should handle the current from the solar panels and ensure proper charging of the battery.

 

{Charge Controller Current (A)} = {{Solar Panel Power (W)}} {{Battery Voltage (V)}} \]

{Charge Controller Current} = {240 \, \text{W}} {12 {V}} = 20 {A} \]

 

Adding a safety margin of 25%:

{Charge Controller Current} = 20 {A} \times 1.25 = 25 {A} \]

 

Summary

For an 80W LED light operating 12 hours per night, with an average of 5 peak sun hours per day and 2 days of autonomy, you would need:

- *Solar Panel: * 240W

- *Battery: * 12V, 160Ah lithium battery

- *Charge Controller: * 25A

 

Additional Considerations

- *Battery Depth of Discharge (DoD): * Lithium batteries usually have a DoD of 80-90%. Ensure the battery capacity is within safe limits for its DoD.

- *System Losses: * Consider potential losses in wiring, inverter (if used), and other components.

- *Component Compatibility: * Ensure all components are compatible in terms of voltage and current ratings.

- *Installation and Maintenance: * Proper installation and periodic maintenance are crucial for optimal performance and longevity of the system.

 

This setup ensures that your solar-powered 80W LED light will operate reliably with sufficient energy storage and generation capacity.

 

To calculate a 100W solar lighting system, you need to size the solar panel, battery, and charge controller. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide:

 

 Step 1: Determine the Daily Energy Consumption

1. *LED Power Rating: * 100W

2. *Operating Hours per Day: * Assume the light needs to operate for 12 hours each night.

{Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)} = {Power (W)} \times {Operating Hours} \]

{Daily Energy Consumption} = 100 {W} \times 12 {hours} = 1200 {Wh} \]

 

Step 2: Solar Panel Sizing

1. *Peak Sun Hours: * This depends on your location. We'll assume an average of 5 peak sun hours per day.

{Solar Panel Power (W)} = {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)}} {{Peak Sun Hours}} \]

{Solar Panel Power} = {1200 {Wh}} {5 {hours}} = 240 {W} \]

Adding a safety margin of 20% to account for system inefficiencies and potential shading:

{Solar Panel Power} = 240 {W} \times 1.2 = 288 \, \{W} \]

You would round up to a standard panel size, e.g., a 300W solar panel.

 

Step 3: Battery Sizing

1. *Battery Voltage: * Common lithium battery voltages are 12V, 24V, and 48V. We'll use 12V for this example.

2. *Days of Autonomy: * Number of days the system should operate without sunlight. Typically, 2-3 days. We'll assume 2 days.

{Battery Capacity (Wh)} = {Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)} \times {Days of Autonomy} \]

{Battery Capacity} = 1200 {Wh} \times 2 = 2400 {Wh} \]

 

3. *Battery Capacity in Ampere-Hours (Ah): *

{Battery Capacity (Ah)} = {Battery Capacity (Wh)}} {{Battery Voltage (V)}} \]

{Battery Capacity} = {2400 {Wh}} {12 \, \text{V}} = 200{Ah} \]

 

Step 4: Charge Controller Sizing

The charge controller should handle the current from the solar panels and ensure proper charging of the battery.

{Charge Controller Current (A)} = {Solar Panel Power (W)}} {{Battery Voltage (V)}} \]

{Charge Controller Current} = {300 {W}} {12 {V}} = 25 {A} \]

Adding a safety margin of 25%:

{Charge Controller Current} = 25 {A} \times 1.25 = 31.25 {A} \]

Round up to a standard controller size, e.g., 35A.

 

Summary

For a 100W LED light operating 12 hours per night, with an average of 5 peak sun hours per day and 2 days of autonomy, you would need:

- *Solar Panel: * 300W

- *Battery: * 12.8V, 200Ah lithium battery

- *Charge Controller: * 35A

 

Additional Considerations

- *Battery Depth of Discharge (DoD): * Lithium batteries usually have a DoD of 80-90%. Ensure the battery capacity is within safe limits for its DoD.

- *System Losses: * Consider potential losses in wiring, inverter (if used), and other components.

- *Component Compatibility: * Ensure all components are compatible in terms of voltage and current ratings.

- *Installation and Maintenance: * Proper installation and periodic maintenance are crucial for optimal performance and longevity of the system.

This setup ensures that your solar-powered 100W LED light will operate reliably with sufficient energy storage and generation capacity.

 

 From "Solar Lighting Book" by Omer Muhtaroglu MBA Renewables