| Introducing Solar Energy |
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5 | (10) |
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Who this book is aimed at |
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6 | (1) |
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The rapidly changing world of solar energy |
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6 | (1) |
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Solar electricity and solar heating |
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7 | (1) |
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The source of solar power |
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7 | (1) |
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The principles of solar electricity |
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8 | (1) |
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Understanding the terminology |
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9 | (1) |
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Setting expectations for solar electricity |
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9 | (2) |
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Why choose a solar electric system? |
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11 | (1) |
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11 | (1) |
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Solar power and wind power |
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11 | (1) |
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12 | (1) |
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Grid-tied solar electric systems |
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12 | (1) |
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Solar electricity and the environment |
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12 | (2) |
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14 | (1) |
| A Brief Introduction to Electricity |
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15 | (4) |
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15 | (1) |
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A brief introduction to electricity |
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15 | (1) |
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How to measure electricity |
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16 | (1) |
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The relationship between volts, amps, ohms, watts and watt-hours |
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16 | (2) |
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A word for non-electricians |
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18 | (1) |
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18 | (1) |
| The Four Configurations for Solar Power |
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19 | (6) |
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19 | (1) |
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20 | (1) |
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Grid-tie with power backup (grid interactive) |
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21 | (1) |
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22 | (1) |
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How grid-tie systems differ from stand-alone |
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23 | (1) |
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24 | (1) |
| Components of a Solar Electric System |
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25 | (6) |
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25 | (1) |
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26 | (1) |
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27 | (1) |
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27 | (1) |
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27 | (1) |
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Connecting everything together |
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28 | (2) |
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30 | (1) |
| The Design Process |
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31 | (2) |
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Short-cutting the design work |
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31 | (1) |
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Solar energy and emotions |
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32 | (1) |
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32 | (1) |
| Scoping the Project |
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33 | (8) |
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Designing grid-tie or grid fallback systems |
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33 | (2) |
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35 | (1) |
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Producing a power analysis |
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36 | (2) |
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When you are ready to proceed |
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38 | (1) |
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Calculating inefficiencies |
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38 | (1) |
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When do you need to use the solar system? |
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38 | (1) |
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39 | (1) |
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39 | (1) |
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40 | (1) |
| Calculating Solar Energy |
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41 | (14) |
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41 | (8) |
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49 | (1) |
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Solar array power point efficiencies |
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50 | (1) |
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The effects of temperature on solar panels |
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51 | (2) |
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Working out an approximate cost |
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53 | (1) |
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54 | (1) |
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54 | (1) |
| Surveying Your Site |
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55 | (12) |
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55 | (1) |
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56 | (1) |
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Positioning the solar array |
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56 | (2) |
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Identifying the path of the sun across the sky |
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58 | (2) |
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60 | (3) |
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63 | (1) |
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Positioning batteries, controllers and inverters |
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64 | (1) |
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64 | (1) |
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Site survey for the holiday home |
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65 | (1) |
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66 | (1) |
| Understanding the Components |
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67 | (8) |
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Common components for all systems |
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67 | (1) |
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67 | (5) |
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72 | (1) |
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73 | (1) |
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Fuses and isolation switches |
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73 | (1) |
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74 | (1) |
| Components for Grid-Tie systems |
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75 | (10) |
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77 | (1) |
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78 | (7) |
| Components for Stand-Alone Systems |
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85 | (24) |
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Calculate your optimum voltage |
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85 | (2) |
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How to calculate your current |
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87 | (1) |
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Calculating cable thicknesses |
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87 | (2) |
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Mixing and matching solar panels |
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89 | (2) |
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91 | (6) |
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97 | (2) |
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99 | (2) |
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101 | (1) |
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102 | (1) |
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102 | (4) |
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106 | (1) |
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Shopping list for the holiday home |
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106 | (2) |
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108 | (1) |
| Planning, regulations and approvals |
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109 | (6) |
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National and international standards for solar components |
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109 | (1) |
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110 | (1) |
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Getting your electricity supplier involved |
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110 | (1) |
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Solar grants and selling your power |
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111 | (2) |
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113 | (2) |
| Detailed Design |
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115 | (19) |
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115 | (4) |
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119 | (4) |
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123 | (1) |
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Specifics for a grid fallback system |
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124 | (1) |
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124 | (1) |
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Cable sizing and selection |
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125 | (3) |
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Some sample wiring diagrams |
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128 | (2) |
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130 | (1) |
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130 | (2) |
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132 | (1) |
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Planning the installation |
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133 | (1) |
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133 | (1) |
| Installation |
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134 | (11) |
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Have you read the instructions? |
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134 | (1) |
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134 | (4) |
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138 | (1) |
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138 | (1) |
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Testing your solar panels |
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138 | (1) |
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Installing the solar array |
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139 | (1) |
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140 | (1) |
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Installing the control equipment |
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141 | (1) |
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Installing a grid-tie system |
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142 | (1) |
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142 | (1) |
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Charging up your batteries |
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143 | (1) |
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143 | (1) |
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144 | (1) |
| Troubleshooting |
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145 | (6) |
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145 | (1) |
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145 | (1) |
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145 | (1) |
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Insufficient power generation |
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146 | (1) |
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Damaged wiring/poor connections |
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147 | (1) |
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148 | (2) |
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150 | (1) |
| Maintaining Your System |
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151 | (2) |
| Internet Support |
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153 | (2) |
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Tools available on the website |
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153 | (2) |
| A Final Word |
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155 | (1) |
| Appendix A Crystalline Solar Panels and Shading |
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156 | (5) |
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157 | (1) |
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Designing shade-tolerant solar systems |
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157 | (3) |
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160 | (1) |
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160 | (1) |
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160 | (1) |
| Appendix B Solar Insolation |
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161 | (22) |
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Understanding this information |
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161 | (22) |
| Appendix C Typical Power Requirements |
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183 | (2) |
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183 | (1) |
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184 | (1) |
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Caravans, boats and recreational vehicles |
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184 | (1) |
| Appendix D Living Off-Grid |
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185 | (3) |
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A solar electric system in conjunction with grid electricity |
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186 | (2) |
| Appendix E Other Solar Projects |
|
188 | (4) |
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Grid fallback system/ grid failover system |
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188 | (1) |
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Portable solar power unit |
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189 | (1) |
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190 | (1) |
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190 | (1) |
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191 | (1) |
| Appendix F Building Your Own Solar Panels (and Why You Shouldn't) |
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192 | (3) |
| Index |
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195 | |
