Zdenek, thank you for the very interesting information, there is obviously a LOT to consider when planning even a small solar installation! I guess one option for a small single panel that has not been mentioned is to mount it on a moveable frame and constantly track the sun / brightest light, although it would then need more electronics and mechanical components like motors and gears which would use some power itself and increase the possibility of something failing, especially during very harsh winter weather.
I will certainly experiment with different angles once I have properly set up my panel and larger battery. If I do need more than one panel in the future I will also consider setting them at "south west / south east" instead of both facing south. As I am quite a lot further north than you are though, it may not be quite as useful in the winter as the sun here will be a little lower in the sky?? Very interesting though and worth some experimenting!
Please do not apologise for your "terrible" English, it is not terrible at all and most importantly I understood perfectly all you said. I am ashamed to say that if we had to communicate in Czech, all I could say to you would be ahoj, prosím and Děkuji - oh yes, na zdraví too - it is worrying how many languages I can use to raise a beer.
Thankfully most people we've met on our visits to Prague speak English but learning to say "please" and "thank you" in your language seemed polite and the right thing do. 
Na zdraví,
Allan.
Yes, good quality ~75Ah "leisure" batteries I mentioned are available here in the UK for about GBP 65 / USD 100 and seem to last for quite a long time. I too have seen the importance of not draining below 50% - I have just noticed this on a website a few minutes ago, note the "70 cycles at 50% depth of discharge"
:
A premium quality sealed leisure battery that gives you reliable high performance under continuous cycling.
•NCC Class 2
•Suitable for 2 – 4 berth leisure vehicles
•General auxiliary use
•Sealed
•Suitable for Motormovers*
•On Grid / Weekend Vacations
•Up to 40% extra power
•70 cycles at 50% depth of discharge
The Platinum Leisure Plus Battery S6110L has been specifically designed to cope with continuous cycling, whilst giving the highest performance and durable, reliable long life for all caravan/motorhome applications.
Regards,
Allan.
I will certainly experiment with different angles once I have properly set up my panel and larger battery. If I do need more than one panel in the future I will also consider setting them at "south west / south east" instead of both facing south. As I am quite a lot further north than you are though, it may not be quite as useful in the winter as the sun here will be a little lower in the sky?? Very interesting though and worth some experimenting!
Please do not apologise for your "terrible" English, it is not terrible at all and most importantly I understood perfectly all you said. I am ashamed to say that if we had to communicate in Czech, all I could say to you would be ahoj, prosím and Děkuji - oh yes, na zdraví too - it is worrying how many languages I can use to raise a beer.
Thankfully most people we've met on our visits to Prague speak English but learning to say "please" and "thank you" in your language seemed polite and the right thing do. Na zdraví,
Allan.
Quote:Overall, cost wise, for a stationary photo-voltaic system old fashioned lead acid flooded batteries are likely still the best option. Just don't design the system to take more than 50% out of them (valid as well for all but lithium models).
Yes, good quality ~75Ah "leisure" batteries I mentioned are available here in the UK for about GBP 65 / USD 100 and seem to last for quite a long time. I too have seen the importance of not draining below 50% - I have just noticed this on a website a few minutes ago, note the "70 cycles at 50% depth of discharge"
:A premium quality sealed leisure battery that gives you reliable high performance under continuous cycling.
•NCC Class 2
•Suitable for 2 – 4 berth leisure vehicles
•General auxiliary use
•Sealed
•Suitable for Motormovers*
•On Grid / Weekend Vacations
•Up to 40% extra power
•70 cycles at 50% depth of discharge
The Platinum Leisure Plus Battery S6110L has been specifically designed to cope with continuous cycling, whilst giving the highest performance and durable, reliable long life for all caravan/motorhome applications.
Regards,
Allan.