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electrical:solar:output [2023/09/24 17:26]
frater_secessus [Factors affecting solar panel output] 		electrical:solar:output [2024/11/22 11:44] (current)
frater_secessus [where and when]
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 In practical terms, it's common to see a maximum of 75% of STC under good conditions, more under great conditions, and much less under poor solar conditions. And about half of that in winter.  In practical terms, it's common to see a maximum of 75% of STC under good conditions, more under great conditions, and much less under poor solar conditions. And about half of that in winter. 
 +
 +===== where and when =====
 +
 +
 +The location and season both have profound effects on solar harvest. [[opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesforinsolation#representative_areas|For example]], Phoenix AZ has **over 8.5x the amount of solar power** available in summer as Seattle WA in the winter.  For any given location, winter harvest can tiny compared to summer harvest. 
 +
 +For more specific numbers you can estimate solar harvest using [[electrical:solar:pvwatts|models like PVwatts]].
 +
 +
 +
  
 ===== lack of demand ===== ===== lack of demand =====
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 Pro: Pro:
  
-  * +30% daily harvest is possible, depending on the sun's position((peak harvest may be much higher at some times but daily harvest is more applicable for offgrid vanlife)) +  * optimal tilt will increase harvest when the sun is low and skies are clear.((peak harvest numbers are more impressive but of less import.)) 
-  * can be used to increase harvest if roof space is maxxed (cannot add more panel)+  * can be used to further increase harvest if roof space is maxxed (cannot add more panel)
  
 Con: Con:
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 [[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214011874|According to lab testing]], dusty panels cause a derating of 5%-6%. [[https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214011874|According to lab testing]], dusty panels cause a derating of 5%-6%.
 +
 +===== sensitivity to light spectrum =====
 +
 +Note:  these differences exist but are of little practical effect.
 +
 +==== differences in light ====
 +
 +
 +
 +  * direct sunlight is broad-spectrum (a mix of light wavelengths)
 +  * when the sun is near the horizon the available light is more red (longer wavelengths)
 +  * when skies are overcast or otherwise diffused the available light is more blue (shorter wavelengths)
 +
 +Since the latter point is counterintuitive:
 +
 +>> at visible wavelengths, overcasts are far from spectrally neutral transmitters of the daylight incident on their tops. Colorimetric analyses show that overcasts make daylight bluer and that the amount of bluing increases with cloud optical depth. Simulations using the radiative-transfer model MODTRAN4 help explain the observed bluing: multiple scattering within optically thick clouds greatly enhances spectrally selective absorption by water droplets.((at visible wavelengths, overcasts are far from spectrally neutral transmitters of the daylight incident on their tops. Colorimetric analyses show that overcasts make daylight bluer and that the amount of bluing increases with cloud optical depth. Simulations using the radiative-transfer model MODTRAN4 help explain the observed bluing: multiple scattering within optically thick clouds greatly enhances spectrally selective absorption by water droplets. ))
 +
 +==== differences in panel sensitivity ====
 +
 +{{ https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/Spectral_Response_PV-annotated2.jpg?125}}
 +Note:   visible light is roughly 400-750nm.((https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light)).  Below that is UV and above that is infrared.
 +
 +  * [redder end]
 +  * CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film panels have peak sensitivity around 950nm.
 +  * monocrystalline silicon panels (mono, c-Si) tend to have maximal spectral response around 900nm
 +  * polycrstalline silicon panels (poly, mc-Si,pc-Si)((mc-Si and pc-Si are both made from multiple crystals.  Grain size differes.  See https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/manufacturing-si-cells/types-of-silicon)) slightly lower than mono.  We will stipulate 850nm.
 +  * GaAs (gallium arsenide) thin-film panels have peak response around 825nm.
 +  * CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) flex panels, the most popular thin-film type, have peak response around 750nm. 
 +  * amorphous silicon panels (a-Si, the original noncrystalline panel) - have peak response around 550nm.
 +  * [ bluer end ]
 +
 +
  
  
electrical/solar/output.1695590779.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/09/24 17:26 by frater_secessus

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