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--- electrical:solar:panels [2023/08/23 19:15]
frater_secessus [Efficiency]
+++ electrical:solar:panels [2024/01/04 16:54] (current)
frater_secessus [STC and NOCT] compare
@@ Line 142: / Line 142: @@
 ===== efficiency =====
+The formula for panel efficiency is simply rated watts / square meter.  A 20% efficient panel will make 200w per square meter under lab conditions (ie, 20% of the lab's 1000w standard).
 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.
@@ Line 147: / Line 150: @@
 In general, mono has higher efficiency than poly, and poly has higher efficiency than thin film.
-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.
+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 higher efficiency panels might be worth the premium.
-> At zenith, sunlight provides an irradiance of just over 1 kilowatt per square meter at sea level. Of this energy, 527 watts is infrared radiation, **445 watts is visible light**, and 32 watts is ultraviolet radiation. -- [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared|wikipedia]]
-Mono panels can capture about 15-20% of this visible light energy.  Poly panels capture 13-16%, and film panels capture 9%.
 ===== longevity =====
@@ Line 191: / Line 191: @@
 While NOCT may be useful for gauging normal harvests, STC is used for system component((like controllers)) sizing because the panels really can make STC power((or even more)) in some real world conditions.  The system needs to be sized to deal with high-output situations, particularly overly high panel voltages.
+>> NOCT is useful for comparing two panels **[that have] the same STC rating**. A panel with a higher rated power at NOCT for example, will generally result in a higher performing panel.((https://solardesignguide.com/stc-and-noct-solar-panel-test-conditions-explained/))
 **PTC** ([[https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/93997-mpCvkV/webviewable/|PVUSA]] Test Conditions)((https://solarmazd.com/stc-ptc-noct-what-do-they-mean-and-how-to-use-them/)) is a rarer standard.

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