5
5. Installation & Connection
STEP 1: Location
hazards such as camp fires, rising water, high traffic areas. The front of the Portable Solar Panel
System should face generally ‘South’, located in full sun, all day, with little or no shade between
the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm. During the summer months in North America, the number of
sun hours may be much longer permitting more energy production. A 25’ extension cord
accessory is available for purchase from Solarland if needed.
Identify the best location for maximum sun exposure. The location should be free of obvious
STEP 2: Set-up (No Tools Required)
A. Remove the Portable Solar System from
the metal carrying case.
B. Open the folding solar panels after
unlocking the two halves. Fold out the
support legs.
C. Adjust the tilt legs to set the desired angle
of the solar panel. Maximum power
generation occurs when the sun is
perpendicular to the face of the solar panel.
The ideal angle, for a fixed solar panel, is
determined by the seasonal time of year,
and your latitude. In general terms you
subtract 15 degrees from your latitude during summer, or add 15 degrees to your latitude during
winter. The angle can be measured using a common inclinometer available at most home
center stores. Another method to determine the angle is to tilt the solar panel, up and down,
and observe the shadow it casts behind it. Lock the tilt legs in place when the ‘tallest’ shadow is
observed. This ideal time to make this adjustment is at 12:00 noon.
D. Adjust the azimuth of the solar panel. In other words, the direction that the face of the solar
panel points. In general terms, the solar panel should face directly ‘South’. South can be
determined using a simple compass. Another way to adjust the azimuth is to observe the
shadow that the solar panel casts behind it. The edges of the shadow should align perfectly
with the edges of solar panel. The ideal time to make this adjustment is at 12:00 noon.
E. After making both the Tilt and Azimuth adjustments described in C and D above, re-adjustment
Is not required during the day. However, if you like to experiment, and take in interest in solar
energy production, you can increase your overall energy production by as much as 30% per day
by making Tilt and Azimuth adjustments about every two hours using the shadow method
described. Don’t worry about making a mistake. Just have fun.
STEP 3:
C
onnect
P
anels
On the back of the solar panel, you will observe that the panel on the
left is already connected to the charge controller. Connect the panel
on the right to the
the charge controller using the provided cable and connectors. This
need only be done the first time you use your new Solar System. This
connection can remain in place permanently here after.
1
2
3
A
B
C
D
