#142

In this video, I will start a project to use solar energy to power ESP8266 or Arduino devices during the whole year.
We wll answer the following questions:
1. What size the solar panel has to be in order to power our device
2. What size of battery we need to survive times with less or without sun?
Links:
Solar panels:
Solar Panel 165x165mm s.click.aliexpress.com/e/f2FybQV
Solar Panel 112x84mm s.click.aliexpress.com/e/fUrRz7e
Solar Panel 53 x 30mm bit.ly/2shHVRJ
Solar Panel 86 x 38mm bit.ly/2szAvwk
Solar Panel 107 x 61mm bit.ly/2szn7rN
Solar Panel 99 x 69mm bit.ly/2shEDho
Solar Panel 80 x 80mm bit.ly/2rCsMsq
Solar Panel 540mm x 340mm s.click.aliexpress.com/e/c0LoQbja
Power Meters: bit.ly/2x5rVEm
Results: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
solargis.com/maps-and-gis-dat...
solarelectricityhandbook.com/s...
www.timeanddate.com/sun/switz...
Supporting Material and Blog Page: www.sensorsiot.org
Github: www.github.com/sensorsiot
If you want to support the channel and buy from Banggood use this link to start your shopping: bit.ly/2jAQEf4 (no additional charges for you)
/ sensorsiot
/ spiessa

[@hianandm]

sir, you have summarized the learning of multiple weeks to minutes . great video

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@andriizakharov2386]

Hello Andreas, just discovered your channel. How great it is that you are giving all this theoretical background before trying to build something. This is what more people should do. Good work, subscribed.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Welcome to the channel!

[@MikeKranidis]

Very informative and well organized video. Thanks Andreas for the offering!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@mt-qc2qh]

Andreas, your videos just keep getting better!! Great info and fun.

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@lammingmik]

Andreas, Your videos, and this one in particular, is excellent. Pitched at just the right pace, and level for me anyway. I like the structure, and the order. These are some of the most informative, and useful, videos I have seen. Grateful thanks from SanFran.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you for your nice words! Nice city, BTW.

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Andreas, I really enjoy your videos, you obviously put a lot of thought into their structure and order. This makes for some outstandingly informative stuff!!! Many thanks from this very grateful Welshman.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome. And thank you for your nice words!

[@thomasbauer5663]

Ja ist denn schon wieder Sonntag :-). Vielen Dank Andreas für die sehr gut strukturierte Vorgehensweise, sowie Deinen Berechnungen und Erklärungen. Freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzung... :-)

[@AndreasSpiess]

Bitte, gern geschehen!

[@joshuarosen6242]

I have almost certainly watched this video before but I didn't have any specific interest in solar power then. Now I do and I searched your channel for a video on exactly this topic. As is so often the case, your video gave me exactly the information I needed, avoided unnecessary and irrelevant detail and explained everything clearly. As we say in England, it was spot on. Thank you.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Glad it was helpful! I try to produce the videos with my most important questions in mind...

[@bayram4ik]

Thanks for the calculations! You saved me months of learning! Greetings from Turkey!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@cristiano.sulzbach]

Thank You for your time. I was also making some tests. Here we have more sun. 10W 5V panel + TP4506 + one 18650 + ESP8266 with deep sleep. Not that efficient but is working well so far. Looking forward for the next video.

[@AndreasSpiess]

+Cristiano Sulzbach Thanks for your feedback. I will try the TP4506.

[@JEL960]

Thank you. I have been looking at videos with similar content for the past few days and I yours has been the most helpful. I hope you continue to provide more. Wish I could give you two thumbs up

[@AndreasSpiess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adabill295]

Like your videos. They always start out with what you are trying to solve. That is very important. i often get lost in the weeds and forget about the original intent. I often don't need the projects you are working on BUT I always listen to learn. Great teacher!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@daves3819]

Great video, thanks. I've been running an ESP-07 (all LED's removed) for more than a year now here on the Prairies in Canada where temperatures during the winter drop quite often below -35C. I used trial and error to figure out how long to put the ESP to sleep such that it wouldn't kill the battery during a worse case winter scenario. I will have to watch your video again and then apply these new learnings to see how much margin I was playing with. :) I am using a 1800mAh Li-on battery from a Sony PS3 Controller (rated at max charging current of 400mA and max charging voltage of 4.2 volts) and a 5V- 200mW 4.3cm X 3.4cm solar panel. When I tested the solar panel the maximum voltage I could get was 40mA and about 4.5V so I took a chance and connected it directly to the battery (so far so good and it's been more than a year!). I use only a diode to drop the voltage to the ESP and it has never gone above 3.4V. The ESP is on a 200s sleep cycle. As I said it has been working flawlessly for over a year but tomorrow I want to run this through your math. Thanks again for another wonderful and informative tutorial!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you for your feedback. I think, physical laws are similar, even in the Prairies;-) Maybe this page helps for calculation of the power requirements of your ESP: battery-life.of-things.de/battery-life-calculator.php

[@Msc7532]

Thank you Andreas, I was smiling a lot watching this video.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks! The world is unsmiling enough. So, at least, our hobby should be different...

[@craiglarson6793]

Fantastic! It is as if you could see that I was experimenting with a solar panel and Li-On battery today & yesterday way on the other side of the planet. Plus I was trying to calculate panel and cell sizing too. Perfect timing and great spot-on content. Thanks. AND tomorrow is the Summer Solstice - optimal conditions for experimenting. I'm addicted to your videos.

[@AndreasSpiess]

This is the power of the internet, and English as a global language, I think. Really a beautiful world (at least, this part)...

[@TheRainHarvester]

😮how could i use solar only no battery? "On" to Brown out causes a hang .

[@cosmopolitans9354]

One of the best explanation in the whole youtube. Giving easy explanations to easy concept is an uncommon skill. This is real engineering: i'm sure the beer helps! Greetings from Italy

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you very much for your nice words. I just returned from a trip to Italy. It is a beautiful country

[@zuraweb]

Complimenti!Spiegazione Chiara ed esaustiva

[@AndreasSpiess]

Grazie!

[@AdityaMehendale]

Wonderful narrative style, Andreas!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@stalbaum]

Super useful. I need to work through the maths for my scenarios. Andreas you are a national treasure for, probably Switzerland, but where ever, most excellent.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Happy to help!

[@MrBlade2021]

"In the middle I had to stop to drink a beer". This made my day! I really enjoy your videos/tutorials. They are always very informative and full of very useful knowledge as well as great results. Thanks for sharing!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome. And I am only a mere mortal ;-)

[@qkb3128]

Loved the recap!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@benfletcher7209]

As always a great and instructive video, I don't know how you find the time but am really glad that you do

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@souzamce]

Thank you so much Andreas. You are doing an amazing job. Your videos are simply perfect.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you for your nice words!

[@ModestMaker]

These videos are wonderful treasures Andreas - Thank You!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@daveblackmoto]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@damny0utoobe]

I was just wondering about this....and my favorite Swiss vlogger comes through

[@AndreasSpiess]

Coincidence or luck? Or maybe both...

[@manickn6819]

Great video. Really simple common sense calculations. I think anyone dabbling should be able to figure out this themselves but if not you would have helped. What I like best about your channel is the clear straight engineering without any BS. No lies or faked stuff. Too much of the internet and social media is being invaded by persons peddling fake information. Please do keep up the good work. I will keep watching.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks for your support!

[@murrij]

This is awesome. thank you for producing this video. I learned a ton, am going to apply the knowledge right away, and I know it took you a lot of work to do this.

[@AndreasSpiess]

All videos take a lot of production time. So, it is nice to know that you like them...

[@alanmcoll101]

I agree with the positive comments. You are an excellent tutor. Thanks for your efforts.

[@AndreasSpiess]

+Alan Collins :-)

[@MaxintRD]

Cool, great topic! Interesting info and very informative video! I have a solar-powered network node laying in my window sill for about a year now. It's a 6V 1W panel connected to a ESP-07 module via a 650 mAh li-ion battery with a charger/protection module. It wakes up for ten seconds every 15 minutes, day and night. It survived summer, but stopped in the winter because it didn't get enough sun. It's only for testing/learning now, but in the future I want to make a solar-powered node for my automated garden project, so plenty work left.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks for the info. Maybe you make the calculations I did for your device and compare the results. Then, we would already have one confirmation (or not) of the theory...

[@CuddleStories]

Love your videos! Can't wait until I can begin using solar panels myself

[@AndreasSpiess]

Go for it!

[@Fifury161]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your efforts! I may have to make a solar charged battery pack now!

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@np32sc]

Good technical information. Quite thorough and incisive. I look forward to the next video.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@steveroberts1861]

Wonderful solar video thanks Andreas

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome

[@KENT0070]

Sir, since discover your channel, I like it very much and with your kind guidance, I learn a lot!!!! Thank you very much.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Welcome aboard the channel!

[@taokodr]

Wonderful video! I've saved it for future research purposes. Thank you for making it! :)

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@MartinBgelund]

Thank you for yet another interesting video. Some things you might want to look into, if you don't get the expected efficiency are: Angle of the panel (I noticed your panel laid flat on the table, which is not optimal), and temperature (cool panels are more efficient than hot panels).

[@AndreasSpiess]

I tried with various angles, but did not get big differences (maybe because it is summer and I did the measurements in the early afternoon. Then, I took the easy(flat) way. But you are absolutely right concerning the angle. If you have a close look at the diagrams in the video, you see the optimal angle for a whole year. Concerning temperature I cannot do a lot, I think, because the place is defined by the purpose. But, because the most critical time is anyway in December/January, the temperature maybe is not a big issue (in summer, I will have too much energy).

[@AndreasSpiess]

Now I remember. I will have a look at it. Thanks for the tip!

[@keen2461]

Excellent video as usual. Thanks for your time.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@maxgobel]

Great video, I'm working on a project for a solar powered sensor, and this was very helpful. Thank you very much!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@takeyoshix]

"Because this is boring we do some tests outside..."... Cool, wirklich nicht schlecht eingebaut. Der Beitrag war aber so oder so sehr belehrend, vor allem die Fakten über die Sonneneinstrahlung und wieviel Energie man nun effektiv abzapfen kann. Besten Dank.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Gern geschehen!

[@mrakjunior]

Certainly your channel deserves more subs.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@NerdCoding]

Great informative video, I was hoping this would cover the circuits needed to charge and regulate the voltage to 5v and 3.3v but still a great video

[@chuckwilcox6997]

Great detail, appreciate the info. Yes, I agree with other comments, a well organised video. Thanks again Andreas.

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@GeorgePucci]

Always a great video, congratulations !!!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@yengamatic]

Wow! Really good video, very nicely done. I can't wait to watch the next in the series, haha.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Will come!

[@neslin99]

Thank you! Very interesting. I've been thinking of doing some solar energy experiments myself, sadly northern Sweden is lacking in sun hours most of the year. :)

[@AndreasSpiess]

Maybe you still do the calculations... The difference between Dubai and Switzerland also was smaller than I thought...

[@jundar73]

Many thanks for your reviews and tests!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@4.0.4]

This is my favorite video of yours to date. The fact that someone was kind enough to translate it to Portuguese also means I can scare my father (who thinks solar panels probably aren't much harder than connecting panel, battery and an LED lamp in parallel) all under the guise of a friendly 15min video. Not gonna lie I still don't get why MPPT is a $100 device instead of a little board that you buy in packs of 50.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks for the nice words!

[@hypercrack9262]

Thanks a Lot Andreas! If I ever get a chance to come to Basel, I'll definitely drop by!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Cool!

[@juanjobarrero696]

Simply amazing!!!! Great job sir

[@AndreasSpiess]

+Juanjo Barrero Thanks!

[@amyslivets]

Super structured video. Awesome. Thanks. Waiting for next episode)

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@georgekot6377]

Another very useful video (tutorial). Looking forward to the next.

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@YuriPetrovich]

Very very educational. Thanks for your knowledge, Andreas.

[@AndreasSpiess]

My pleasure!

[@jumadhaheri]

Great information and great project.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks. Next time I use Abu Dhabi as an example ;-)

[@peterl1699]

Great tutorial. This open up so many applications. Im more I treated in the charging units. If there is bigger, smaller and also if you can order them online

[@AndreasSpiess]

So, you have to be patience till I learned enough about that topic...

[@markifi]

you explained that quite clearly

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@garethwoodall577]

Very useful and interesting! You deserve them beers on a hot day sir!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you kindly!

[@deangreenhough3479]

Oh Andreas😀 A superb video, full of useful information and there is going to be a follow up too🙏 It's wonderful that you explain the math and importantly your thought process. I believe you managed to link together a number of things that I thought I understood. So very happy to see things more clearly. As always I am very appreciative of your time and efforts and just how concise you are. The project I am about to start is solar 2 axis for a 160 x 160 solar panel. So this is a great help. Bless you Andreas 👐

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks, Dean. Änd of course, we are interested in the results of your project, especially the efficiency (more energy because of good positioning vs energy consumption of motors)!

[@deangreenhough3479]

Andreas Spiess noted thank you. I will set up another INA219 to monitor the motor power requirements and as you say, work out the efficiency. From my research you only need to be within + or - 5 degrees. You will still be 99.6% efficient within this range. So had planned to only adjust at 6 degrees. I assume this is what you were reminding me to think about? Many thanks

[@TishSerg]

5 years have elapsed. What is your experience with the subject?

[@Datlaai1]

​@@TishSerg solar big size

[@nirajbudhathoki6602]

Thanks so much. This is quite helpful

[@PhG1961]

Great video ! You're my hero !

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@eloistreeraw]

Thanks. Great works. (I will come back to this video when I will be ready to study this field).

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@artbecker5618]

I look forward to your controller video. Many of them have a USB connector. They claim up to 5V @ 2A, which is enough to power a Raspberry Pi 3. Of course there is no need to start a discussion on how big the batteries would need to be for that application, since we are talking about an ESP8266 & 18650 batteries. Possibly/probably a small single board controller would be sufficient. I'm now going to watch your video #64 again, about batteries appropriate for the ESP8266. Thanks for your videos.

[@AndreasSpiess]

I think, we also can power a Raspberry Pi. The same formulas would apply, just the panel and the battery would be bigger (about 3 times). And i do not know of a "sleep mode" for the Raspberry

[@ShahabIntezari]

Hi Andreas, the charging unit is very important part of this project I guess. I can't wait to watch your video on that. Thank you

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@ParthBhat]

like like.. ! thank you so much for your time and explaining the things so properly ... haply building

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@innesthoth5507]

Epic video, thank you and cheers!

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@WOnken]

Tollen Video, ich freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzungen....

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@robertkes]

Love it, very useful. I'm working on IoT device that will send data only once per 20mins, then in sleep mode.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@pholmdk]

Thank you for yet another interesting video!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@LetsBuildSomething]

Great explanation Andreas! Looking forward to part two... ;-)

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@cantinasongband]

I drank that beer when I was in Switzerland! It's really good!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@phfbertoleti]

Great video! Thanks for sharing such a good lesson like this one!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Glad you liked it!

[@eddyfontaineyoutu100]

Thank you Andreas, VERY informative ! I am waiting for the solar controller ! 🙂

[@AndreasSpiess]

Me too. But there is some learning ans working between the wish and reality...

[@eddyfontaineyoutu100]

Take your time ! 🙂

[@pepper669]

Very infomative and entertaining at the same time. I see a good use for a INA219 I2C module to measure voltage/current...

[@AndreasSpiess]

I think too, that it could be an interesting part. But I also think (or fear), that we have to keep the number of parts as low as possible because they will use energy all the time, also when there is no sun...

[@pepper669]

Maybe one could switch it on only when needed.

[@AndreasSpiess]

I think, this is a good idea. Maybe even for the whole charger...

[@SPIKEAdventure]

This is great, thanks for the info!

[@AndreasSpiess]

Glad it was helpful!

[@muriloteixeira4430]

Excellent! Thanks Andreas!

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@dmurphydrtc]

Another excellent video. Ta.

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@paulmacgiollacaoine8619]

Looking forward very much to the next video especially cutting off charging the battery at 4.2v and at the low voltage point. This should solve issues I've been having using the piZero and the sparkfun sunny buddy MPPT controller.

[@AndreasSpiess]

We will see how I will solve these issues...

[@rodrigolima661]

Very good. Very very good. I live in Brasil, Mato Grosso state, very warm and have very sun, and was thinking about and esp8266 for solar weather station, and this video will help me very much, thank you!

[@AndreasSpiess]

So, the results of your calculation will be completely different to mine ;-)

[@rodrigolima661]

yes, but rules are same, and tips are usefull (don't too low voltage battery, thing about bad weather, etc).

[@frankschmidt5319]

Hi Andreas, first thanks a lot for all the good videos! For a cheap MPP tracker I can recommend a simple TP 4056 Lipo charging board. My setup works as follows: 5V Solar Panel, the charging board (w/ cell protection) and a LiPo battery. As long as the light is very dim, the voltage from the panel is too low for the charging board and no current flows. When there’s more light, the PV voltage climbs over the battery voltage and the charging board starts to charge the battery. If the charging current is too high, the PV voltage drops and so does the current - the PV voltage can climb again. So the charge controller will always keep the PV voltage at the point where it can draw the maximum power from the panel. Two things have to be taken care of: - . - To keep the system from oscillating, I put a capacitor parallel to the panel- The maximum input voltage of the TP4056 is 8V. When the battery is fully charged, no more current is drawn from the panel and the PV voltage will rise to the open circuit voltage. This should not be higher than these 8V

[@AndreasSpiess]

+Frank Schmidt Sounds very promising... have to try it. Thanks for the tip!

[@MakerBen]

This man makes me happy, Keep making great videos! you inspire me :) I want to learn how to make cool things like this ^

[@AndreasSpiess]

I like that. Thank you!

[@ardisd01]

Andreas very useful video. I have been trying to do a similar thing for my esp8266 could not decide on a charge controller. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Which controllers were in your selection?

[@ardisd01]

Sunny Buddy - MPPT Solar Charger from sparkfun and Adafruit USB / DC / Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger - v2 both quite expensive and then there was also this one thepihut.com/products/solar-lipo-charger-3-7v?ref=isp_rel_prd&isp_ref_pos=4

[@jasonperry6046]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for another interesting video with good notes.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@attilaturgut9287]

Thanks Andreas you saves my times and moneys . Very helpful and experimental video Great job.I hope God gives you a more healthy and long life.Best Regards

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@ragdepc]

Sr, this information is extremely valuable, thanks a lot. I am looking forward for the charger video

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thank you!

[@kiran-hh4tq]

Sir your explanation is awesome...!! Thankyou..and we need more videos from you.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Every week one (and sometimes a "bonus" one.)..

[@kiran-hh4tq]

Andreas Spiess sir we need gsm, sensors (proximity) video. Where GSM sends msg only twice a day but sensor senses actively.

[@johanponin1360]

Both very interesting and very useful and also very fun.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@loslelazlo]

Excelent Sir. Very clear!!!!.

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks!

[@HamedAdefuwa]

Was looking for this thanks

[@AndreasSpiess]

Glad I could help

[@sericonti]

Thanks for sharing I learned a lot from this and your videos. I am building a weather station using ESP8266 and this is spot for my power requirements. I live in Malta so solar irradiance should be similar to that of Dubai. Many thanks.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome. It should be easy to generate enough power where you live ;-)

[@sundaramraghuraman1197]

Thank you, it was very helpful study!

[@AndreasSpiess]

:-)

[@mattlaptop5728]

Excellent, thank you very much.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@PossumMedic]

Great video as always! :D Thanks!

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@maciejcebula3353]

Andreas, great video I am waiting for the next step;)

[@AndreasSpiess]

Will take some time...

[@QWACHU]

I love Your videos. You are encountering and describing with easy words (and tests!) many of problems with building IoT devices. Not only simple "Hello World" projects. :)

[@AndreasSpiess]

Thanks! There are many others around for the "Hello world" stuff. And sometimes, I am also using these examples if I start something new...

[@QWACHU]

Yes, me too. But sometimes I wonder if all KZbin Tutorials stopped on the same "Hello World" examples and that is all you can get from IoT.

[@mazendayan2420]

Very good and useful Video, we are still waiting for your next video. Thanks

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@kylegordon]

Very helpful, thank you! Have been considering making my weather station solar powered, or at least including a method to charge the two AA batteries it runs from. This will help greatly! :-)

[@AndreasSpiess]

So, good luck!

[@francescopezzimenti2766]

wonderful video. very clear and full of informations thank you

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@cliftonbrown911]

Outstanding, thank you.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are welcome!

[@abhijitborah]

A trivial typo at 2:15 minutes into the video. "×" used instead of "=". Your video has read "the question" in the minds of so many and answered excellently. Congratulations and thank you.

[@AndreasSpiess]

You are right! But unfortunately, I cannot correct it anymore...

[@hoodafukisalice]

Andreas has made science out of what I would have done by trial and error. That is some research!

[@AndreasSpiess]

I also use trial and especially error a lot. But hidden from the channel ;-)