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It may surprise many that the leader in solar panels in amalgam output is still BP. Of course subsidies don't hurt.
And it may surprise more that the panels specifically designed for oil rigs are the best for Puna, by a number of factors.
If anybody out there is really into a no BS array without backups of any sort, I'll design for you for the price of a beer. I've done a number. It will require compromises in lifestyle, but that's the price you pay.
Question:
Of you folks that have PV panel, how many watts worth do you have?
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Currently 4.5 KW
36 panel @ 125 ea
David
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And what size battery bank to go with it? All of the "packages" we've seen advertised seem to have woeffully inadequate battery banks...
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It might pay to buy batteries locally, as they ship in bulk, and shipping is a major expense. Either way they aren't cheap.
Gordon J Tilley
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12 rolls/surrettes 4ks25 1350 amp hour 4 volt - 48 volt system
As noted "they aren't cheap"
David
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OK, just a quick for grins.... there is a demonstration solar installation in Hilo... have seen it tons of times... just today I realized both sides of the roof have PV panels, one is due south.... the other is due north, pointing right out to the bay.... have seen them countless times, even from a boat on the water & only today did it click that those are north facing panels!
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Very interesting Carey. Wonder if we can get more info somehow, somewhere. I have considered the free (north) side of my tractor shed as I believe it gets more morning sun. When I move my shed array, that will be their new home. I figure worst case I have to tilt them to be same plane as rest of my arrays, but I just might attempt north pointing first. (Hope this made sense LOL)
David
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The demo is at Canoe Beach... Probably someone at Parks & Recs knows about it...
Not sure if the North panels do anything... they may just be for 'looks'...
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Bottom line, again. If you're serious about building an array that performs at all close to the wattage rating of the panels, you will need a tracking system. The closer one is to the equator, the more important tracking becomes. If you do not understand why, go outside and point at the direction that the sun comes up and where it sets and note that these points are near 180 degrees apart for much of the year. The closer one gets to the poles, these points are closer to 150 degrees or even less. This allows static systems to be more effective in higher latitudes. Current higher output panels are higher output mostly because they're less tolerant of light at low levels of incidence relative to the face of the panel.
Tracking systems are cheap compared to the cost of panels and the rest. I know it's easier to just pop them up on the roof and forget about it, but you'll be running that generator a whole lot more . . .
