Last, a regulator should always be used any time there is more than 20 watts on a system to eliminate the possibility of overcharging the battery. When the total wattage for the duty cycles and the options is determined, add them together to get the total wattage needed for the system. It is often times a good idea to add a buffer of 5 or more watts to this total for safety. Also keep in mind that a system s usage may change after a period of time or seasonally. It is always more appealing for a customer to purchase the extra solar panels with the initial purchase rather than 6 or 8 months down the road.
Solar systems are only a good as their design and installation.
Keep solar cells clear of any obstructions. Even small branches can cause a significant drop in power output. If the leads of a panel need to be extended used wire of adequate size and type to prevent power loss. Minimum is 18ga for 100ft. at 10 watts. Larger panels need larger wire.