solar panel sistem for CCTV

[Kilian]

Hi folks, I' m new to solar energy and need your expertise
Will use a PTZ camera and a wifi transmitter at 24VDC 2.5 amp
Please help me with the configuration and if the selected components are of good quality.
The pole mounted system will be used off grid 24H 365days.

Grape Solar 190-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Amperage (amps) 5.25 A Assembled Depth (in.) 62.2 in
Assembled Height (in.) 1.6 in Assembled Width (in.) 31.8 in
Charge controller included No Electrical Product Type Solar Power Panel
Inverter included No Low voltage audible alarm No
Manufacturer Warranty 10 year limited product warranty on materials and workmanship.25 year warranty on >80% power output and 10 year warranty on >90% power output. Mounting frame included No
Number of Panels 1 Panel Height (in.) 1.6 in
Panel Width (in.) 31.8 in Panel length (in.) 62.2
Panel weight (lb.) 33 Portable Yes
Returnable 90-Day Solar panel type Monocrystalline silicon panel
Voltage (volts) 36.2 V Wattage (watts) 190 W

Nature Power 28-Amp 450-Watt 12-Volt/24-Volt Digital Solar Power Charge Controller
Digital display and led lights help to monitor your solar power system let you know the charge level of your battery at all times
Safe for use with up to 28-Amp or 450-Watt from a solar array
Protects battery from high voltage surges, short circuit low voltage discharging, and reverse current
Features adjustable voltage settings for added flexibility
For permanent installation close to the battery in a dry and ventilated area
For use with 12 or 24-Volt systems

2 of UPG 85980/D5722 Sealed Lead Acid Battery (12V; 35 AH; UB12350)

Thanks for all type of recommendations
Kilian

[daz]

First off, welcome to Solar Panel Talk Kilian!

The first thing that screams at me when I saw your post is the batteries.....there is not enough capacity!!
You said your load was 2.5A, so over 24 hours, that is equal to 60AH @ 24V. You have only listed 2 x 35AH 12V batteries......no-where near enough!
The battery power you have could only run your CCTV camera for 7 hours at 50% DOD, not even close to your 24 hours.

Ok...now for the rest of it.....

Hi folks, I' m new to solar energy and need your expertise. Will use a PTZ camera and a wifi transmitter at 24VDC 2.5 amp Please help me with the configuration and if the selected components are of good quality. The pole mounted system will be used off grid 24H 365days.

I am just going to assume that your camera is suitable on a 24V solar system. You need to look up its datasheet and confirm that it can handle an input voltage of 24V - 28V, otherwise you are going to have a problem.

--Ok, to calculate power requirements----
2.5A x 24hours = 60AH @ 24V
60AH x 24V = 1440WH per day.

--to calculate battery requirements------
@50% DOD (depth of discharge) [maximum DOD to not damage batteries]

(60AH / 50)100=120AH @ 24V

@305 DOD [recommended for long battery life]

(60AH / 30)100=200AH @ 24V

--to calculate required solar array--------
You have not told us what the solar insolation for your area is? That is a very important piece of information that affects the system design. You need to go find out what the solar insolation for your area is, and then come back and tell us.

In the meantime. for examples sake, I am going to use 4 solar hours, so that you can see how you calculate the solar array....

for PWM charge controller;
1440WH x 2* = 2880W / 4 solar hours = 720W solar array

for MPPT charge controller;
1440WH x 1.5** = 2160WH / 4 solar hours = 540W solar array

*fudge factor used for PWM controllers, to account for cable loss, inefficiencies, etc.
**fudge factor for MPPT controllers, to account for cable loss, inefficiencies, etc.

--to calculate charge controller---------
for PWM, current in = current out. For this size system, you do not want to go PWM, you need to go MPPT.

for MPPT, you will need;
540W / 24V = 22.5A ---> round up to next available size (perhaps 30A?)



So form above, what can we conclude?

Grape Solar 190-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Amperage (amps) 5.25 A Assembled Depth (in.) 62.2 in
Assembled Height (in.) 1.6 in Assembled Width (in.) 31.8 in
Charge controller included No Electrical Product Type Solar Power Panel
Inverter included No Low voltage audible alarm No
Manufacturer Warranty 10 year limited product warranty on materials and workmanship.25 year warranty on >80% power output and 10 year warranty on >90% power output. Mounting frame included No
Number of Panels 1 Panel Height (in.) 1.6 in
Panel Width (in.) 31.8 in Panel length (in.) 62.2
Panel weight (lb.) 33 Portable Yes
Returnable 90-Day Solar panel type Monocrystalline silicon panel
Voltage (volts) 36.2 V Wattage (watts) 190 W

Number 1: Your solar panel is waaaaaaaaay too small.....

Nature Power 28-Amp 450-Watt 12-Volt/24-Volt Digital Solar Power Charge Controller
Digital display and led lights help to monitor your solar power system let you know the charge level of your battery at all times
Safe for use with up to 28-Amp or 450-Watt from a solar array
Protects battery from high voltage surges, short circuit low voltage discharging, and reverse current
Features adjustable voltage settings for added flexibility
For permanent installation close to the battery in a dry and ventilated area
For use with 12 or 24-Volt systems

Number 2: This doesnt say anything about whether it is PWM or MPPT, which most likely means it's PWM. You need to double check if it is PWM or MPPT......

2 of UPG 85980/D5722 Sealed Lead Acid Battery (12V; 35 AH; UB12350)

Number 3: Your 2 little batteries are way too small......they will not work!


Go to the off-grid section of the forum and have a read through of the stickies there. That will give you a much more realistic starting point...

[Kilian]

Lets see if I got it right this time, new configuration

First off, welcome to Solar Panel Talk Kilian!

The first thing that screams at me when I saw your post is the batteries.....there is not enough capacity!!
You said your load was 2.5A, so over 24 hours, that is equal to 60AH @ 24V. You have only listed 2 x 35AH 12V batteries......no-where near enough!
The battery power you have could only run your CCTV camera for 7 hours at 50% DOD, not even close to your 24 hours.

Ok...now for the rest of it.....



I am just going to assume that your camera is suitable on a 24V solar system. You need to look up its datasheet and confirm that it can handle an input voltage of 24V - 28V, otherwise you are going to have a problem.

--Ok, to calculate power requirements----
2.5A x 24hours = 60AH @ 24V
60AH x 24V = 1440WH per day.

--to calculate battery requirements------
@50% DOD (depth of discharge) [maximum DOD to not damage batteries]

(60AH / 50)100=120AH @ 24V

@305 DOD [recommended for long battery life]

(60AH / 30)100=200AH @ 24V

--to calculate required solar array--------
You have not told us what the solar insolation for your area is? That is a very important piece of information that affects the system design. You need to go find out what the solar insolation for your area is, and then come back and tell us.

In the meantime. for examples sake, I am going to use 4 solar hours, so that you can see how you calculate the solar array....

for PWM charge controller;
1440WH x 2* = 2880W / 4 solar hours = 720W solar array

for MPPT charge controller;
1440WH x 1.5** = 2160WH / 4 solar hours = 540W solar array

*fudge factor used for PWM controllers, to account for cable loss, inefficiencies, etc.
**fudge factor for MPPT controllers, to account for cable loss, inefficiencies, etc.

--to calculate charge controller---------
for PWM, current in = current out. For this size system, you do not want to go PWM, you need to go MPPT.

for MPPT, you will need;
540W / 24V = 22.5A ---> round up to next available size (perhaps 30A?)



So form above, what can we conclude?



Number 1: Your solar panel is waaaaaaaaay too small.....




Number 2: This doesnt say anything about whether it is PWM or MPPT, which most likely means it's PWM. You need to double check if it is PWM or MPPT......




Number 3: Your 2 little batteries are way too small......they will not work!


Go to the off-grid section of the forum and have a read through of the stickies there. That will give you a much more realistic starting point...

Thanks for the instructions above, so I have changed the components and hope to have it right this time:

2 x Universal UB12750 12V 75Ah

Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 TriStar 45 Amp Charge Controller 12-48V

Amperage (amps) 8.15 A Assembled Depth (in.) 64.6 in
Assembled Height (in.) 1.57 in Assembled Width (in.) 39 in
Charge controller included No Electrical Product Type Solar Power Panel
Inverter included No Low voltage audible alarm No
Manufacturer Warranty 10 year limited product warranty on materials and workmanship.25 year warranty on >80% power output and 10 year warranty on >90% power output. Mounting frame included No
Number of Panels 1 Panel Height (in.) 1.57 in
Panel Width (in.) 39 in Panel length (in.) 64.6
Panel weight (lb.) 44.1 Portable Yes
Returnable 90-Day Solar panel type Monocrystalline silicon panel
Voltage (volts) 30.7 V Wattage (watts) 250 W

aprox. isolation (average daily solar radiation per month)
kWh/m2/day is 3.42

Hope this works, and thanks a lot.
Kilian

[Sunking]

Thanks for the instructions above, so I have changed the components and hope to have it right this time:

2 x Universal UB12750 12V 75Ah

Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 TriStar 45 Amp Charge Controller 12-48V


Number of Panels 1 250 W

aprox. isolation (average daily solar radiation per month)
kWh/m2/day is 3.42

Nope it will not work. You are not even remotely close

Your total daily usage is 24 vots x 2.5 amps x 24 hours = 1440 Watt Hours
Your Solar Insolation is 3.4 Hours

• Panel Wattage with MPPT = [1440 wh x 1.5] / 3.4 Sun Hours = 635 watts. Round that up to 660 watts and use 3-220 watt Grid Tied Panels.
• Battery Capacity @ 24 volts = [1440 wh x 5 days] / 24 volts = 300 AH @ 24 volts.
• Minimum MPPT Charge Controller = 660 watts / 24 volts = 27 amps. So you will need 30 or more amps.

The Morningstar 45 amp MPPT controller is the onlly thing you got right. Everything else is incorrect. With what you had would fail at the end of day 1.

[inetdog]

Hi folks, I' m new to solar energy and need your expertise
Will use a PTZ camera and a wifi transmitter at 24VDC 2.5 amp
Please help me with the configuration and if the selected components are of good quality.
The pole mounted system will be used off grid 24H 365days.
Thanks for all type of recommendations
Kilian

Now that you have seen how large the panels and batteries will have to be to handle that load, perhaps you can go back and revisit the power requirements for the system.

24V 2.5A is a lot of power for a camera and wifi, unless it is a very high power point-to-point transceiver or is otherwise sucking a lot of power.

Have you actually measured the power requirements or are you just working from the specifications or the labeling on the AC power brick?
If the system can run with the same current at a lower voltage you can reduce power required. If the specification is peak intermittent drain, you can get a better idea of average power under your intended use. The batteries can deliver peak power just fine, but have to supply average power through the night and the panels have to be able to replace that.

PS: My guess is that the highest power consumption will come from the time the camera is actually panning and zooming. If your use will be remotely command controlled rather than continuous scanning, you should be able to reduce that power requirement a lot. If you are planning for continuous panning, you might want to reconsider that.

[Kilian]

final configuration

Now that you have seen how large the panels and batteries will have to be to handle that load, perhaps you can go back and revisit the power requirements for the system.

24V 2.5A is a lot of power for a camera and wifi, unless it is a very high power point-to-point transceiver or is otherwise sucking a lot of power.

Have you actually measured the power requirements or are you just working from the specifications or the labeling on the AC power brick?
If the system can run with the same current at a lower voltage you can reduce power required. If the specification is peak intermittent drain, you can get a better idea of average power under your intended use. The batteries can deliver peak power just fine, but have to supply average power through the night and the panels have to be able to replace that.

PS: My guess is that the highest power consumption will come from the time the camera is actually panning and zooming. If your use will be remotely command controlled rather than continuous scanning, you should be able to reduce that power requirement a lot. If you are planning for continuous panning, you might want to reconsider that.

Thank, you have rescued me from a disaster, my final configuration and revised consumption gave me the following configuration:

Max 1.3 amp@24V consumption
2 solar panel 190W (380W)
4 bat. 90ah@12V AGM (180ah@24V)
charger MPPT 45 amp

Thanks again Kilian

[inetdog]

Thank, you have rescued me from a disaster, my final configuration and revised consumption gave me the following configuration:

Max 1.3 amp@24V consumption
2 solar panel 190W (380W)
4 bat. 90ah@12V AGM (180ah@24V)
charger MPPT 45 amp

Thanks again Kilian

Don't actually pull the trigger until Dereck has had a chance to look this over.

Glad that we have been able to help you.
Lessons for others to be learned from this thread:
1. What seems like a small load can really add up when run continuously for 24 hours. The PV and batteries it takes is usually a lot more than the first guesstimate. Particularly when you have 24 hours running and only 3 hours of effective sun.

2. We always advise people to start with a load calculation. This illustrates that before reaching a final configuration, particularly for an unattended system with no generator or other supplemental power, it is important to get your load estimates as accurate as possible.

One more idea: If you can find a way to do it without costing too much, adding in a battery voltage (and maybe other things) monitor that can also interface over IP through the WiFi may be worth the cost. That depends on whether the site will be visited periodically or not. If somebody will be there regularly, provide a voltmeter that can live there?

[Sunking]

Thank, you have rescued me from a disaster, my final configuration and revised consumption gave me the following configuration:

Max 1.3 amp@24V consumption
2 solar panel 190W (380W)
4 bat. 90ah@12V AGM (180ah@24V)
charger MPPT 45 amp

Thanks again Kilian

Ok you are getting real close but still have issues.

Parameters:

Daily Watt Hours = 24 volts x 1.3 AH x 24 hours = 750 Watt hours
Winter Insolation = 3.4 Hours


Panel Wattage required with MPPT = [750 wh x 1.5] / 3.4 hours = 330 watts. You can buy a single 80 Cell 330 watt panel or two 60 cell panels with at least 170 watts. So you are good there.
Minimum MPPT amps required are 330 watts / 24 volts = 14 amps. You can save a lot of money with a good 15 amp MPPT controller.
24 volt Battery AH capacity = [750 x 5] / 24 volts = 156 AH @ 24 volts.

OK it is the charge controller and Battery I take issue with and you need to pay attention too. Let's start with the battery. Last thing you want to do is use parallel batteries to achieve the required AH capacity unless you have no other choice. Trust me you have a lot of choices to make with only 24 volts at around 150 AH. For example 2 - 12 volt batteries @ 150 AH, single 24 volt battery @ 150 AH, or even 4 - 6 volt batteries at 150 AH. There is no reason you need to use 4 - 12 volt batteries. All it will do is give you maintenance and battery life cycle issues you do not have to incur. There are dozens of great options for you to work with that will allow you 1 single string of a battery.

Last minor issue is charge controller. The MorningStar 45 amp MPPT controller will work just fine, bu tway too much overkill or 300%. The 45 amp model will cost you around $400. However the Morningstar Sunsaver 15 amp MPPT controller is an exact fit with 70 watts to grow with @ 24 volts and cost around $175 to $200.

So to sum things up:

Panel wattage = 330 to 400 watts using inexpensive Grid Tied Panels.
24 volt battery = 150 to 200 AH capacity. Look at AGM because it is remote location. FLA require monthly maintenance.
MPPT Charge Controller = 15 amps minimum.

Good Luck

Dereck aka SK

[ictoys]

Hi, was searching about CCTV and solar panel and found this thread, figured I'll just put my question here.

I was asked to provide a client a cctv system in a remote area without electricity, so solar power came to mind.

The requirements are:
cctv camera 24V 1.7A (this is the adaptor it use)
wireless antenna for point to point connection 24V 1A
to run 24/7

I lived in Indonesia so I asked some solar panel seller locally and he quoted me these:
6 unit solar panel 100WP 12V
4 unit battery 100AH 12V
1 unit controller 60A 48V

and quoted me around $4000 for all (excluding installation and shipping)

just wanna double check here, does the component he quoted me right for my requirement? I know price-wise can be different here and there, but roughly, is that normal for such system?

thanks

[phillipambrose1980]

Hi,
my house securty use cctv camer,please suggestion cctv solar system cctv and totaly cost,
and compare cctv solar system and normal cctv camer ?

Mod note - forget the links