Monument-Solar

Power Generation Systems

What sources of power could I incorporate into my system?

Solar panels are typically a key component of an off-grid system, however, there are other sources of power which can be integrated to help ensure you always have power.  We address solar power, generators, wind turbines on this page. Each source of power comes with it’s own benefits and drawbacks and may or may not be something you should add to your system.

Continue reading to learn more about each of these sources of power or click the link below to navigate to our store.

solar panels

Solar panels, along with their mounting hardware, are the more recognizable part of an off-grid system. They are also the preferred method of creating or capturing power. The following are important factors to consider when developing your off-grid system:

  • Cell material - there are 2 primary cell materials used in solar panels today. Polycarbonate (older technology, blue color) and Monocrystalline (newer technology, black color).

  • Standard vs Bifacial - standard panels will collect power from the front side of the panel only. A bifacial panel is able to collect power from both sides. This allows the bifacial panels to make sure of the ambient light around the panel if the panel is suspended off the mounting surface.

  • Panel performance - panels have a power rating in watts. The number is typically the base rating (the potential power that can be captured from the front side of the panel). This rating is for ideal conditions and can vary by temperature of the panels, whether there is a bifacial gain, and the angle of the sun on the panels themselves.

  • Bypass diodes - shading greatly impacts the performance of a solar panel. Bypass diodes protect the panels from power loss and damage when shading or other factors cause uneven illumination of the solar cells. They allow current to flow around shaded or malfunctioning cells, preventing them from reducing power output.

  • Series or parallel connections - when connecting solar panels, the connections can be made in series or parallel. When connected in series, the voltage is added together and when connected in parallel, the amps are added together. Typically, when sending power down from the roof, a higher voltage, lower amp configuration is preferred. This allows the cable sizes to be kept smaller due to the lower amp loads on the cables.

  • Size and pricing - smaller panels, especially those meant specifically for RVs, are more expensive on a per watt basis. The larger panels we like to use are panels which are typically used in the solar fields. This means the panels are manufactured at volume and typically incorporate the latest commercially available innovations the market can offer.

Built in or portable Generators

Generators, whether permanently installed or as a cable plug in version, can be a valuable addition to your off-grid system. These are typically viewed as the “power of last resort” behind solar, wind, and battery. The following are important factors to consider when choosing to incorporate a generator into your off-grid system:

  • Capacity - generators come with a rated capacity. This is typically the “Peak” or “surge” power not the “sustained” or “continuous” power rating. For example, a 6000 watt generator might have a 6000 watt peak rating but only a 3800 continuous rating. 

  • 30 vs 50 amp receptacle - if your generator has a 30 amp receptacle, keep in mind it may only power one side of your distribution panel if you have a 50 amp RV. This is very similar to plugging into a 30 amp power pedestal with a 50 amp RV.

  • Propane vs Gasoline - propane is going to be quieter but the gasoline will provide more power.

  • Claimed runtime - most generators will have a rated runtime on the packaging. You will want to keep in mind that this is likely the time the generator can run in idle using the most efficient fuel, not the time it will run under load. When under load, you can expect the run time to drop to around 1/4 the claimed run time.

Wind Turbines

This is actually something new for us. As we learn more we will keep you posted.