Solar Panels
1) Will the output of solar panels reduce in the shade ?
Depending on the type of panels, the output can either be cutt off or reduced. Multicrystalline panels suffer the most with the output totally cut off if one or more cells are shaded. Bypass diodes can be installed to divert the rest of the power around the affected cell.
Most panels have output of 16 to 18 volts. When the voltage drops below 13.5 volts due to cutoff cells, there may not be enough voltage to charge the batteries due to back emf.
The BD40 Amorphous panels output peak at 62 volts. Besides having better overall low light performance this higher voltage output is one of the main reason why actual power production is higher per watt. Add to it the lower cost per watt and you get the best value in cost per watt produced.
Dirt, dust, leaves, bird droppings, shadows from trees, all cause reduced output due to shading. The BD40 amorphous panel has a smooth glass surface which makes washing down easy just with a hose. Other panels tend to have a rough surface whic will accumulate dirt and grime and will need more vigorous scrubbing.
2) Can solar panels be used to heat hot water ?
A 1000 Watt toaster takes 3 minutes to cook toast. The electricity consumed is approximately 50 Watts
To boil 1.5 litres of water from 20°C to 100°C is approximately 140 watts.
To heat 45 litres of water from 20°C to 50°C for a shower is approximately 1.575 Kw
To heat 250 litres of water in a hot water cylinder from 20°C to 50°C fo is approximately 8.75 Kw
A 1KW solar array (25 BD40 panels ) can produce 6-7 Kw hr a day. This is less than the amount needed to heat the hot water cylinder from cold.
If you use gas for your cooking and hot water you can use solar power for most everything else.
3) How much does a solar system cost ?
The minimum requirement is 1 panel a controller and a battery. Our starter pack with a high quality battery starts at $695. You could pay more than that for a new deep cycle battery. Of course you van build on this system expanding as your financial and demand increase.
4) Will restored and recondition batteries work with solar power ?
Any battery will work. The question is which is the best. The best are 2V wet cells designed for high drain. You will notice the large terminals usually twin or even tripled to take the drain. We find that the 6 volt 220 ah deep cycle tpye batteries are the best and most cost effective. For small drain application up to 80 amps at 12 volt sealed 100 ah AGM type batteries will be adequate.
5) Which produces more wind turbines or solar panels ?
The fair question is which produces power cheaper. Taking a $2000 system – A 320 watts solar ( 8 X BD40 ) and 300 watt wind turbine ( air x ). The solar system will produce 2 kilowatt a day every day. The air X wind turbine will produce 1 kilowatt average, however if you produce at peak for 24 hours you cold get 6 kilowatts with the air X. With wind so much depends on the type of systems chosen and wind conditions where you are located.
6) Can solar panels be used to connect to the grid ?
Yes though you will need a large array of panels to make this economic.
