Solar Power for PI

(DRAFT) This guide will show you how to power your Raspberry Pi using solar panels. I am Powering my RPI4 using solar power to allow it to be powered by the sun. And with the right solar panel and battery, your project can also run continuously, forever.

Hardware

Charge Controller- This will handle solar charging and monitoring of the battery, optionally performing a safe shutdown if power somehow gets too low — though this should never happen.

I recommend your solar setup include a battery. I live in Wisconsin, and solar consistency is sporadic here to do without it. This guide will cover the inclusion of a battery (and the power management board to charge it).

I am using the Renogy Wanderer 10 Amp 12V/24V PWM Common Postive Solar Charge Controller $16.99 (Positive ground is half the price of negative ground!) Integrated 5V 2A USB ports, Backlit LCD screen for displaying system operation, diverse load control and error codes, charges Deep cycle Sealed (AGM), Gel, Flooded and Lithium batteries and simple hookup. I like it because it has 2 built-in 5v USB ports (one for PI, and one for Accessories0

I am using 2 6 volt 4.5 amp sealed lead acid Batteries-connected in series for 12 volts and 9 amps.

1- 12 volt 6 watt solar panel

Wiring Diagram

More to come……