====== Portable panels and the role of the owner ======


===== TLDR =====

Portable panels can be highly-productive and useful, but good results require **owner discipline**.  


===== the hardware =====


Rated watts are rated watts;  a 100w portable will make the same power as 100w mounted in a lab.

When **framed panels** are used as portables they are no different than any other panel.  Suitcase and some standalone panels are often made of "flex" crystalline cells that break over time.((Silicon crystal is a crystal and cannot flex without damage.))  CIGS or other film-based cells //can// flex.



===== when portables outperform mounted =====
 
Portables can outperform flat-mounted panels when they are 

  * set out facing ~south((in the northern hemisphere)) at seasonally-optimal [[electrical:solar:output#panel_tilt|tilt]] in clear weather((tilt has minimal effect in overcast conditions)); or
  * moved throughout the day to optimally face the sun in clear weather.  This can increase harvest over fixed tilt but requires frequent repositioning.  To give you an idea, automated single-axis trackers that follow the sun automatically can increase yield over fixed tilt by 20-35%.  Increases from occasional owner repositioning will be lower. 
  * set out in the sun when the mounted solar needs to be shaded.  For example, in hot weather the van can be emplaced against the eastern edge of a treeline.  This will allow mounted panels to collect sun until ~noon and be shaded thereafter.  Portables placed further east and facing west((or south, or southwest... play with it)) will run loads after the trees shade the van.  [[https://img.mousetrap.net/2022/IMG_20220704_174821.jpg|Example setup]].

===== when portables underperform =====
 
  * **owners not setting them out** for whatever reason <-- the biggest issue
    * laziness
    * "won't be here that long"
    * panel isn't waterproof and it might rain (or has rained)
    * [[camping:stealth_camping|stealth camping]] in the city and no place to deploy them safely
    * high winds
  * set out but fell/blew over face-down
  * set out in overhead shade or high grass shade
  * set out facing north (!!) {"as I write this there are two rigs in my line of sight with this unforced error." - secessus}  Note:  setting out facing east or west can make sense if direct sun is only available in that direction, or if one is manually "tracking" the sun.  
  * made of "flex" crystalline that breaks 
  * loose dogs pissing on them