# 📖 Start Here — Solar & Power Systems Guide

This book covers everything about powering LoRa mesh nodes - from USB-powered indoor nodes to fully autonomous solar installations capable of running for years without maintenance.

## 🚀 Quick Answers

- **"[How big a solar panel do I need?](https://wiki.meshamerica.com/books/faq/page/how-big-a-solar-panel-do-i-need)"** → [Sizing a Solar System for Your Climate](/books/solar-power-systems/page/sizing-a-solar-system-for-your-climate)
- **"Which battery chemistry?"** → [LiFePO4 vs LiPo vs Lead Acid](/books/solar-power-systems/page/lifepo4-vs-lipo-vs-lead-acid-for-lora-deployments)
- **"Which charge controller?"** → [Charge Controller Selection and Configuration](/books/solar-power-systems/page/charge-controller-selection-and-configuration)
- **"How much power does my node use?"** → [Power Consumption by Platform](/books/solar-power-systems/page/power-consumption-by-platform)

## 📚 What's In This Book

### Power Fundamentals

- [Current Draw & Power Budgets](/books/solar-power-systems/page/current-draw-power-budgets)
- [Power Consumption by Platform](/books/solar-power-systems/page/power-consumption-by-platform)
- [Power Consumption Measurement Methods](/books/solar-power-systems/page/power-consumption-measurement-methods)

### Battery Selection

- [Battery Chemistry Guide](/books/solar-power-systems/page/battery-chemistry-guide)
- [LiFePO4 vs LiPo vs Lead Acid for LoRa Deployments](/books/solar-power-systems/page/lifepo4-vs-lipo-vs-lead-acid-for-lora-deployments)
- [Battery Sizing for LoRa Mesh Nodes](/books/solar-power-systems/page/battery-sizing-for-lora-mesh-nodes)
- [Battery Management Systems and Protection Circuits](/books/solar-power-systems/page/battery-management-systems-and-protection-circuits)

### Solar System Design

- [Sizing a Solar System for Your Climate](/books/solar-power-systems/page/sizing-a-solar-system-for-your-climate) - PSH tables for US cities
- [Choosing a Solar Panel for LoRa Nodes](/books/solar-power-systems/page/choosing-a-solar-panel-for-lora-nodes)
- [Solar Panel Mounting and Orientation](/books/solar-power-systems/page/solar-panel-mounting-and-orientation)
- [Charge Controller Selection and Configuration](/books/solar-power-systems/page/charge-controller-selection-and-configuration)
- [Charge Controllers: PWM vs MPPT](/books/solar-power-systems/page/charge-controllers-pwm-vs-mppt)

### Wired Power

- [AC Mains Power for Permanent Node Installations](/books/solar-power-systems/page/ac-mains-power-for-permanent-node-installations)
- [Power-over-Ethernet for Outdoor Node Deployments](/books/solar-power-systems/page/power-over-ethernet-for-outdoor-node-deployments)

### System Wiring and Safety

- [Wiring a Solar Power System for LoRa Repeaters](/books/solar-power-systems/page/wiring-a-solar-power-system-for-lora-repeaters)
- [Monitoring Battery State via Meshtastic Telemetry](/books/solar-power-systems/page/monitoring-battery-state-via-meshtastic-telemetry)
- [Cold Weather Operation](/books/solar-power-systems/page/cold-weather-operation)

## ➡️ Related Books

- [DIY Build Guides](/books/diy-build-guides) - Complete solar repeater builds
- [MeshCore Repeaters](/books/meshcore-repeaters) - Pro solar repeater build walkthrough
- [FAQ](/books/faq) - Solar and power FAQ section