1. Overview

• Automatic GHI Acquisition: Automatically acquire local real-world global horizontal irradiance (GHI) data based on the NREL database.
• Highly customizable: Supports multiple scenarios (pole-mounted, trailer-mounted) and custom load devices.
• Built-in Power Presets: Integrated power consumption data for common cameras and routers.
• Auto-generated Topology: Visually displays the system connection logic.

2. Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Device List

1. Networking

• PoE Switch：Ensure it supports 12V/24V DC direct input. Using standard AC switches with inverters is highly inefficient; using the tool-recommended PoE Switch is advised.
• PoE Splitters: If a device does not support PoE, a splitter is needed to convert 48V back to 12V, which results in a 5%–10% power loss.

2. Wireless Transmission: These options have built-in average power consumption for industrial-grade equipment for quick calculations:
   1. 4G Router: For remote monitoring via cellular networks.
   2. 5G Router: For high-bandwidth needs like 4K multi-channel live streaming.
   3. Wireless Bridge: For point-to-point long-distance transmission without data costs.
3. Load Devices

• Camera : Select common models from the preset list to auto-fill power parameters.
• Custom : For specialized equipment, click [Add]-->[Others] and enter:
  • Name : For identification in the topology.
  • Power: Measured in Watts (W).
  • Input Type: Select PoE or DC.

Step 2: Configure Environment & Core Parameters

1. Your Location: Enter the specific address to automatically retrieve the local Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) data.
2. Solar System Type: Choose the installation form( Solar waterproof-Box or Solar Trailer).
3. Battery Voltage: Select the system voltage (typically 12V for small systems, 24V for large systems or long-distance transmission).
4. Ensured Online Hours: Set the "Ensured Online Hours" For security systems, a minimum of 24 hours is expected, with 48–72 hours being ideal for extreme weather.

Step 3: Add Load Devices

Step 4: Generate Report & Modify Configuration

Area 1: Calculation Results

• Annual GHI: Uses the annual average by default. Click "Modify" to select the month with the weakest sunlight (usually winter) to ensure the system remains online in extreme conditions.
• Autonomy Days: The number of days the system can remain fully operational using battery power alone. A value >3 days indicates extremely strong endurance against cloudy/rainy weather.
• Full Recharge Duration: The theoretical time required to charge the battery from 0% to 100% under peak sun conditions (with no load). A smaller value indicates stronger recovery capability after bad weather.
• Self-Sustain Period: The duration the system can operate before requiring manual intervention.
  • ♾️: Indicates complete energy balance and 24/7 self-sufficiency.
  • ⚠️ Specific Number of Days: Indicates an energy deficit; manual maintenance or charging is required periodically.

Area 2: Solar Equipment

• Solar Panel: Rated wattage (e.g., 100W) is only reached under standard test conditions ($1000W/m^2). The tool automatically adjusts for GHI and conversion losses based on your Location. Enter the rated power of the panel directly.
• Battery Type:
  • LiFePO₄: Recommended. Supports deep discharge (80%–90%), highest efficiency, and lightest weight.
  • Lead-Acid: Traditional low-cost option. Recommended discharge depth is only 50%; you may need double the capacity of lithium to achieve the same Autonomy Days.
  • AGM / Gel: Advanced lead-acid variants. Better sealing/maintenance-free for harsh environments, but discharge limits still apply.
• Solar Controller:
  • System Voltage: Must match the chosen 12V or 24V setup.
  • Max Charging Current: Must be higher than the solar array's total short-circuit current to prevent overheating or damage (e.g., Solar-CMP40A for large arrays).
  • Solar controller-self: If using your own, enter the exact current limit (A). The tool assumes MPPT algorithms for efficiency.

Area 3: Current Status

Area 4: Auto-generated Topology

3. Calculation Logic

3.1 Default Technical Factors

• DoD：
  • LiFePO₄: 1.0
  • Gel: 0.8
  • AGM: 0.7
  • Lead-Acid: 0.5
• System integrated loss: conversion efficiency 0.2*0.8 (i.e., 16% integrated photoelectric conversion and transmission efficiency).
• GHI is a geographical location-related factor, obtained through API queries. Unit: Wh/m²/day.
• Solar panel area: Solar panel power=1:200

3.2 Calculation formula

• Recommend hardware based on Ensured Online Hours（Autonomy Days）
  • Battery capacity (Ah)： (Default voltage=12V, fully charged in 1.2 days)
  • Total power of solar panels (W)：
• Verify performance from hardware data：
  • Estimate based on existing batteries：
  • Estimate and match the battery capacity based on solar panels：
    

3.3 Performance Metrics

• Full Recharge Duration ：
  

• Self-Sustain Period：

3.4 Controller Sizing

• 12V system：<= 150W recommend Solar-CMP10A；150W ~ 500W recommend CMP40AN。
• 24V system：>= 250W recommend Solar-CMP10A；250W ~ 1000W recommend CMP40AN。
• All other voltage levels are 10A Solar Charge Controller.The voltage of the neutral solar controller is the overall voltage level of the system, and the current is the solar panel power divided by the voltage level, ，rounded to the nearest multiple of 5.

3.5 Recommendation Process Flowchart

4. Q&A

• Q1: Why do the results seem larger than I expected?
  • A: The tool includes design margins for controller efficiency, line loss, and battery discharge depth. You do not need to add your own buffers.

• Q2: Why does my system show a specific number of days instead of ♾️?
  • A: Current solar production cannot cover daily consumption and battery loss.
  • Solution: Increase Solar Panel wattage, remove unnecessary Load Devices, or double-check that the Location/Month isn't set to extreme low-light conditions.

• Q3: What is a safe setting for Autonomy Days?
  • A: For critical security monitoring, 48–72 hours is recommended to survive consecutive rainy days or snow cover.

• Q4: Should I choose a 12V or 24V system?
  • A: This depends on your equipment:
  • 12V: Best for small monitoring setups; highest efficiency for most routers and sensors.
  • 24V: Better for high-power PTZ cameras or long-distance wiring to reduce line loss. Panels, controllers, and batteries must all match the selected voltage.