📖 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?" → Sizing a Solar System for Your Climate
• "Which battery chemistry?" → LiFePO4 vs LiPo vs Lead Acid
• "Which charge controller?" → Charge Controller Selection and Configuration
• "How much power does my node use?" → Power Consumption by Platform

📚 What's In This Book

Power Fundamentals

• Current Draw & Power Budgets
• Power Consumption by Platform
• Power Consumption Measurement Methods

Battery Selection

• Battery Chemistry Guide
• LiFePO4 vs LiPo vs Lead Acid for LoRa Deployments
• Battery Sizing for LoRa Mesh Nodes
• Battery Management Systems and Protection Circuits

Solar System Design

• Sizing a Solar System for Your Climate — PSH tables for US cities
• Choosing a Solar Panel for LoRa Nodes
• Solar Panel Mounting and Orientation
• Charge Controller Selection and Configuration
• Charge Controllers: PWM vs MPPT

Wired Power

• AC Mains Power for Permanent Node Installations
• Power-over-Ethernet for Outdoor Node Deployments

System Wiring and Safety

• Wiring a Solar Power System for LoRa Repeaters
• Monitoring Battery State via Meshtastic Telemetry
• Cold Weather Operation

➡️ Related Books

• DIY Build Guides — Complete solar repeater builds
• MeshCore Repeaters — Pro solar repeater build walkthrough
• FAQ — Solar and power FAQ section