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<languages />
 
<translate>
 
<translate>
 
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<!--T:1-->
<strong>Welcome to The Open Source Solar Project (OSSP)</strong>
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<strong>Welcome to the Open Source Solar Project</strong>
  
 
<!--T:2-->
 
<!--T:2-->
The sun is the ultimate open energy source and OSSP aims to help everyone harness it. Solar PV in the developing world has been growing at an exponential rate and has managed to provide energy access to millions of people, unfortunately adequate standards and appropriate training programs have not followed suit. Many equipment vendors and installers have little to no training nor are they subject to any form of regulation and end users often have little understanding of the technology. This has lead to the proliferation of many improperly designed PV systems that not only lead to poor end-user experiences but also represent a safety risk. This website is an effort to improve small-scale battery-based (SSBB) solar PV system design, safety, and user experiences in these areas by providing appropriate information, resources and tools on the universal, basic aspects of off-grid system design and installation in these contexts. OSSP hopes to serve as both a direct resource in these areas and as a readily-adaptable base for the development of low-cost training materials and programs that are tailored to the needs and standards of a particular area. Please reach out to alex@opensourcesolar.org if you are interested in collaborating, contributing or need assistance creating training materials.
+
The mission of Open Source Solar Project is to share information in various langauges about the design and installation of off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems to lead to better performing, safer systems in the developing world. Please reach out to alex@opensourcesolar.org if you are interested in collaborating, have found mistakes, would like to contribute or need assistance creating training materials.
  
 
<!--T:3-->
 
<!--T:3-->
Aims of OSSP:
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Be advised that design, installation, and maintenance work should only be performed by qualified individuals in accordance with local codes and laws. There is no guarantee that the information provided on this website is accurate or complete - use it at your own risk. It is intended to serve as an educational and reference resource - appropriate hands on training is required in order to safely work with electricity and PV systems. See [[Special:MyLanguage/Training providers|Training providers]] for a list of recommended training providers.
*Provide an appropriate level of detail for each topic in a way that is practical and accessible for an audience with a varying level of technology literacy.
 
*Present universal concepts in a way that is universal. Information or resources that are location specific should be added to a country page.
 
*Utilize well-designed graphics that include minimal text to enable easy adapatation and translation using captions.
 
  
<!--T:4-->
 
 
Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
 
Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
 +
==About OSSP== <!--T:29-->
  
==Basics==
+
<!--T:30-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/About OSSP|About OSSP]]<br />
  
*[[What is an off-grid PV system?|What is an off-grid (stand-alone) PV system?]]
+
==Basic concepts== <!--T:5-->
*[[PV system types|PV system types]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/What is an off-grid PV system?|What is an off-grid (stand-alone) PV system?]]<br />
*[[Basic stand-alone PV system components|Basic stand-alone PV system components]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/PV system types|PV system types]]<br />
*[[Electricity and energy|Electricity and energy]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Basic stand-alone PV system components|Basic stand-alone PV system components]]<br />
*[[Types of electricity|Types of electricity]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Electricity and energy|Electricity and energy]]<br />
*[[Voltage and frequency by country|Voltage and frequency by country]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Electricity types|Electricity types]]<br />
*[[Power flow between components|Power flow between components]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Voltage and frequency by country|Voltage and frequency by country]]<br />
*[[Series and parallel|Series and parallel]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Power flow between components|Power flow between components]]<br />
*[[Electrical codes|Electrical codes]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Series and parallel connections|Series and parallel connections]]<br />
*[[Electrical safety|Electrical safety]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Electrical codes|Electrical codes]]<br />
*[[Multimeters|Multimeters]]
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*[[Special:MyLanguage/Electrical safety|Electrical safety]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Multimeters|Multimeters]]<br />
  
==Components==
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==System components== <!--T:8-->
'''Certifications and ratings'''
+
====Certifications and ratings====
*[[Equipment certifications|Equipment certifications]]
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*[[Special:MyLanguage/Equipment certification|Equipment certification]]<br />
*[[Weather ratings|Weather ratings]]
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*[[Special:MyLanguage/Weather rating|Weather rating]]<br />
'''PV source'''
 
*[[PV module|PV module (solar panel)]]
 
*[[Peak sun hours|Peak Sun Hours (PSH)]]
 
*[[PV module loss factors|PV module loss factors]]
 
*[[Tilt and orientation|Tilt and orientation]]
 
*[[Shading|Shading]]
 
*[[Module connectors|Module connectors]]
 
*[[Combiner box|Combiner box]]
 
'''Energy storage'''
 
*[[Energy storage|Energy storage]]
 
*[[Lead acid batteries|Lead acid batteries]]
 
*[[Shunt|Shunt]]
 
'''Charge controller'''
 
*[[Charge controller|Charge controller]]
 
'''Inverter'''
 
*[[Inverter|Inverter]]
 
'''Power distribution'''
 
*[[Distribution panel|Distribution panel]]
 
*[[DIN rail|DIN rail]]
 
*[[Busbars|Busbars]]
 
*[[Terminals|Terminals]]
 
'''Mounting system'''
 
*[[Mounting system|Mounting system]]
 
'''Wire and cable'''
 
*[[Wire and cable types|Wire and cable types]]
 
*[[Wire size|Wire size]]
 
*[[Wire color|Wire color]]
 
'''Physical wire protection'''
 
*[[Conduit|Conduit]]
 
*[[Junction box|Junction box]]
 
'''Overcurrent protection/disconnects'''
 
*[[Overcurrent protection|Overcurrent protection]]
 
*[[Disconnects|Disconnects]]
 
'''Grounding'''
 
*[[Grounding system|Grounding system]]
 
*[[Residual current device|Residual current device (RCD or GFCI)]]
 
'''Loads (lighting and appliances)'''
 
*[[Lighting|Lighting]]
 
*[[Energy efficient loads|Energy efficient loads]]
 
*[[Low voltage disconnect|Low voltage disconnect]]
 
  
 +
====Photovoltaic (PV) source==== <!--T:9-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/PV module|PV module (PV source, solar panel)]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Insolation|Insolation (peak sun hours)]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Tilt and azimuth|Tilt and azimuth]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Shading|Shading]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Module connectors|Module connectors]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Combiner box|Combiner box]]<br />
 +
====Energy storage====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Energy storage|Energy storage]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Lead acid battery|Lead acid battery]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Lithium-ion battery|Lithium-ion battery]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Shunt|Shunt]]<br />
  
==System design==
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====Charge controller==== <!--T:10-->
====Background====
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Charge controller|Charge controller]]<br />
[[Design process|Overview of the design process]]<br />
+
====Inverter====
[[Surge loads|Surge loads]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Inverter|Inverter]]<br />
[[Power factor|Power factor]]<br />
+
====Power distribution====
====Design phases====
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*[[Special:MyLanguage/Distribution panel|Distribution panel]]<br />
[[Site evaluation|1. Site evaluation]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/DIN rail|DIN rail]]<br />
[[Design coefficients|2. Determining design coefficients]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Busbar|Busbar]]<br />
[[Energy storage sizing and selection|3. Energy storage sizing and selection]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Wire terminal|Wire terminal]]<br />
[[PV source and charge controller sizing and selection|4. PV source and charge controller sizing and selection]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Twist-on wire connector|Twist-on wire connector (wire nut, marrette)]]<br />
[[Inverter sizing and selection|5. Inverter sizing and selection]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Switch|Switch]]<br />
[[Wire sizing and selection|6. Wire sizing and selection]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Outlet|Outlet]]<br />
[[Disconnect and protection device sizing and selection|7. Disconnect and protection device sizing and selection]]<br />
 
  
====Design resources====
+
====Mounting system==== <!--T:11-->
[[Load estimation tools|1. Load estimation tools]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Mounting system types|Mounting system types]]<br />
[[Production estimation tools|2. Production estimation tools]]<br />
 
[[Weather data|3. Weather data]]<br />
 
  
==System installation==
+
====Conductors (wires, cables)==== <!--T:28-->
[[Principles of installation|1. Principles of installation]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Conductor types|Conductor types]]<br />
[[Equipment clearances and safe working space|2. Equipment clearances and safe working space]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Conductor size|Conductor size]]<br />
[[Wiring practices|3. Wiring practices]]<br />
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Insulation color|Insulation color]]<br />
[[Battery wiring|4. Battery wiring]]<br/>
 
[[Installing module connectors| 5. Installing module connectors]]<br />
 
[[Charge controller programming|6. Charge controller programming]]<br />
 
[[Inverter programming|7. Inverter programming]]<br />
 
[[Labeling|8. Labeling]]<br />
 
[[Commissioning|9. Commissioning]]<br />
 
  
==Operations and maintenance==
+
====Physical conductor protection==== <!--T:12-->
*[[Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]]
+
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Conduit|Conduit]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Junction box|Junction box]]<br />
 +
====Protection devices and disconnects====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Overcurrent protection device|Overcurrent protection device (OCPD)]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Disconnects|Disconnects]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Residual current device|Residual current device (RCD or GFCI)]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Ground fault protection device|Ground fault protection device (GFPD)]]<br />
 +
====Grounding====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Grounding system|Grounding system]]<br />
 +
 
 +
====Loads (lighting and appliances)==== <!--T:13-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Lighting|Lighting]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Energy efficient loads|Energy efficient loads]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Low voltage disconnect|Low voltage disconnect]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/DC-DC converter|DC-DC converter]]<br />
 +
 
 +
==System design== <!--T:14-->
 +
===Design tools===
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/OSSP stand-alone system design tool|OSSP stand-alone system design tool]]
 +
 
 +
===Background=== <!--T:15-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Design process overview|Design process overview]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Stand-alone system configurations|Stand-alone system configurations]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/DC system voltage|DC system voltage]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Voltage drop|Voltage drop]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Surge loads|Surge loads]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Power factor|Power factor]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Duty cycle|Duty cycle]]<br/>
 +
 
 +
===Site evaluation=== <!--T:16-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Site evaluation process overview|Site evaluation process overview]]<br />
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified physical evaluation|Simplified physical evaluation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified load evaluation|Simplified load evaluation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified weather and solar resource evaluation|Simplified weather and solar resource evaluation]]<br />
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Load evaluation|Load evaluation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Physical evaluation|Physical evaluation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Weather and solar resource evaluation|Weather and solar resource evaluation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Load and solar resource comparison|Load and solar resource comparison]]<br />
 +
 
 +
===Design parameters=== <!--T:17-->
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*All design parameters are incorporated into the other simplified design process pages.
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Design parameter overview|Design parameter overview]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Irradiance safety parameter|Irradiance safety parameter]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Continuous duty safety parameter|Continous duty safety parameter]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Low voltage disconnect parameter|Low voltage disconnect parameter]]<br />
 +
 
 +
===Energy storage sizing and selection=== <!--T:18-->
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified energy storage sizing and selection|Simplified energy storage sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Energy storage sizing and selection|Energy storage sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
 
 +
===PV source and charge controller sizing and selection=== <!--T:19-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/PV source and charge controller sizing and selection overview|PV source and charge controller sizing and selection overview]]<br />
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified minimum PV source size|Simplified minimum PV source size]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified PWM charge controller sizing and selection|Simplified PWM charge controller sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified MPPT charge controller sizing and selection|Simplified MPPT charge controller sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Minimum PV source size|Minimum PV source size]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/PWM charge controller sizing and selection|PWM charge controller sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/MPPT charge controller sizing and selection|MPPT charge controller sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
 
 +
===Inverter sizing and selection=== <!--T:20-->
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified inverter sizing and selection|Simplified inverter sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Inverter sizing and selection|Inverter sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
 
 +
===Wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection=== <!--T:21-->
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection|Simplified wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection]]
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection|Wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection]]
 +
 
 +
===Grounding system sizing and selection=== <!--T:22-->
 +
====Simplified design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Simplified grounding system sizing and selection|Simplified grounding system sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
====Detailed design process====
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Grounding system sizing and selection|Grounding system sizing and selection]]<br />
 +
 
 +
==Design examples== <!--T:23-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Detailed DC system design|Detailed DC system design]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Detailed AC/DC system design|Detailed AC/DC system design]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Detailed AC system design|Detailed AC system design]]<br />
 +
 
 +
==System installation== <!--T:24-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Principles of installation|Principles of installation]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Equipment clearances and safe working space|Equipment clearances and safe working space]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Wiring practices|Wiring practices]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Wiring basic load circuits|Wiring basic load circuits]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Battery wiring|Battery wiring]]<br/>
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Installing module connectors|Installing module connectors]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Charge controller programming|Charge controller programming]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Inverter programming|Inverter programming]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Labeling|Labeling]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Commissioning|Commissioning]]<br />
 +
 
 +
==Operations and maintenance== <!--T:25-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]]
 +
 
 +
==Resources== <!--T:26-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Resources|Resources]]<br />
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Training providers|Training providers]]<br />
 +
 
 +
==Country pages== <!--T:27-->
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Colombia|Colombia]]
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Peru|Peru]]
 +
*[[Special:MyLanguage/United States|United States]]
  
==Country pages==
 
*[[Peru|Peru]]
 
  
 
</translate>
 
</translate>

Latest revision as of 16:44, 5 April 2021

Other languages:
English • ‎español

Welcome to the Open Source Solar Project

The mission of Open Source Solar Project is to share information in various langauges about the design and installation of off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems to lead to better performing, safer systems in the developing world. Please reach out to alex@opensourcesolar.org if you are interested in collaborating, have found mistakes, would like to contribute or need assistance creating training materials.

Be advised that design, installation, and maintenance work should only be performed by qualified individuals in accordance with local codes and laws. There is no guarantee that the information provided on this website is accurate or complete - use it at your own risk. It is intended to serve as an educational and reference resource - appropriate hands on training is required in order to safely work with electricity and PV systems. See Training providers for a list of recommended training providers.

Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.

About OSSP

Basic concepts

System components

Certifications and ratings

Photovoltaic (PV) source

Energy storage

Charge controller

Inverter

Power distribution

Mounting system

Conductors (wires, cables)

Physical conductor protection

Protection devices and disconnects

Grounding

Loads (lighting and appliances)

System design

Design tools

Background

Site evaluation

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

Design parameters

Simplified design process

  • All design parameters are incorporated into the other simplified design process pages.

Detailed design process

Energy storage sizing and selection

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

PV source and charge controller sizing and selection

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

Inverter sizing and selection

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

Wire, overcurrent protection, and disconnect sizing and selection

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

Grounding system sizing and selection

Simplified design process

Detailed design process

Design examples

System installation

Operations and maintenance

Resources

Country pages