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electrical:solar:panels [2020/01/14 16:25]
frater_secessus 		electrical:solar:panels [2020/06/16 16:06]
frater_secessus [panel voltage]
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 Solar panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, produce DC power from sunlight to charge batteries and provide electrical power.  The panels can be used single or in [[electrical:solar:series vs parallel|series or parallel]] arrays. Solar panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, produce DC power from sunlight to charge batteries and provide electrical power.  The panels can be used single or in [[electrical:solar:series vs parallel|series or parallel]] arrays.
  
-Since PV necessarily run at higher voltages than the batteries they charge, a [[electrical:solar:charge controller|charge controller]] is placed between the PV and the battery bank.+To avoid overcharging,((a bit of an oversimplification, admittedly)) a [[electrical:solar:charge controller|charge controller]] is placed between the PV and the battery bank.
  
 [[electrical:solar:output|Many factors]] will affect output; and panels will rarely generate power equal to their laboratory rating. [[electrical:solar:output|Many factors]] will affect output; and panels will rarely generate power equal to their laboratory rating.
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     * most expensive to produce     * most expensive to produce
     * slightly worse than poly in partial shading     * slightly worse than poly in partial shading
 +    * ill-suited to [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM]]/[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#shunt|shunt]] controllers because of their higher voltage (and lower current)
  
  
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 Higher voltage panels can reduce wire costs; amps are cut in half for the same amount of wattage. Higher voltage panels can reduce wire costs; amps are cut in half for the same amount of wattage.
 They more likely to stay above charging setpoints in poor insolation or high heat. They more likely to stay above charging setpoints in poor insolation or high heat.
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 +===== efficiency =====
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 +Higher efficiency doesn't mean the panel makes more power;  it means it makes more power from a given area.  100w is 100w, but you might be able to fit a 110w panel high-efficiency panel in the same space as a regular-efficiency panel. 
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 +In general, mono has higher efficiency than poly, and poly has higher efficiency than thin film.
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 +The cost of higher efficiency panels typically outstrips the increase power, so unless you are tight for space they typically aren't a good value for money.  If you are tight for space and need the power then pony up the cash and enjoy the premium product. 
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electrical/solar/panels.txt ยท Last modified: 2024/01/04 16:54 by frater_secessus

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