Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 19 of 19

Thread: Panel efficiency experiment

  1. #11
    NavyDiver's Avatar
    NavyDiver is offline Very Very Lucky! Gold Subscriber
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,359
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Thanks John

    More than 10 years of testing right here in NT is a fantastic resource. The proof on the pudding is in the consumption

    Home Page | DKA Solar Centre

  2. #12
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Sunbury, VIC
    Posts
    20,055
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by drivesafe View Post
    I have always been of the belief that in a mobile situation, ( where possible ) simply increasing the solar panel size gets around the messing around of lots of work for a small gain!

    But for a static setup, this is interesting!
    Yep, if you have the real estate for an extra panel or two, chuck them on - I have overkilled the last 2 installations - my Van and Motorhome - panels are cheap and even when I give the batteries a hard time or it's overcast they always charge up the next day - usually before lunch, so a decrease in performance on hot days is never an issue.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  3. #13
    Narangga's Avatar
    Narangga is offline TopicToaster Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Mcminns Lagoon NT
    Posts
    4,413
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by drivesafe View Post
    Thanks JayTee, that was a truely interesting video.

    Some 15 odd years ago, a company I use to deal with, imported some special solar panels from Turkey.

    These panels had tubing fixed to the back of the solar panels ( like the info in that video ) but while the tubing was intended to cool the solar panel but the water was intended to be used in a domestic hot water system.

    I have demonstrated, on numerous occasions, how just pouring cold water over a hot solar panel increases to output substantially, to most observers disbelief.

    I have never considered or heard of using air flow to cool a solar panel.

    If I ever get some spare time, I must try out his experiment.
    Quote Originally Posted by p38arover View Post
    Yes, I tested this on my home solar panels. The output definitely rose.
    What was the ambient air temperature when you did this gents? TIA.
    Cheers, Dale
    PIC - It comes with the Territory

    'The D3' - 2006 TDV6 HSE
    2008 Kimberley Kamper Sports RV
    Previously Enjoyed:
    2002 Adventure Offroad Campers 'Cape York'
    2000 D2 Td5 - plus!
    1997 Defender 110 Wagon - fully carpeted

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Narangga View Post
    What was the ambient air temperature when you did this gents? TIA.
    It does not matter what the temperature is, as long as the sun has had a chance to warm up the solar panel.

    But the hotter the day, the bigger the current rise is when you cool the panel down.

    I have not done this for some time but from memory, I think there was at least a 20% increase in current output on a good hot day.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Yarrawonga, Vic
    Posts
    6,513
    Total Downloaded
    0
    What about setting up a simple misting spray using garden watering components. ?

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Whyalla, SA
    Posts
    7,064
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Water cost will quickly exceed payback benefit if using mains supply.

    Also, build up on the panels from minerals in the water doesn’t take long to further decrease panel output.

    Better off just keeping the panels clean, I get ours done by a young lad every couple of months for a few $.

  7. #17
    Narangga's Avatar
    Narangga is offline TopicToaster Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Mcminns Lagoon NT
    Posts
    4,413
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by drivesafe View Post
    It does not matter what the temperature is, as long as the sun has had a chance to warm up the solar panel.

    But the hotter the day, the bigger the current rise is when you cool the panel down.

    I have not done this for some time but from memory, I think there was at least a 20% increase in current output on a good hot day.
    Thanks Tim and exactly what I thought.

    Best generation here is August before the temperature heats up in September and October.
    Cheers, Dale
    PIC - It comes with the Territory

    'The D3' - 2006 TDV6 HSE
    2008 Kimberley Kamper Sports RV
    Previously Enjoyed:
    2002 Adventure Offroad Campers 'Cape York'
    2000 D2 Td5 - plus!
    1997 Defender 110 Wagon - fully carpeted

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    The Hills.
    Posts
    15,793
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Do you reckon putting them in the shade would help?
    ​JayTee

    Nullus Anxietus

    ​Getting involved in discussions is the best way to learn.

    2000 D2 TD5 Auto: Tins
    1994 D1 300TDi Manual: Dave
    1980 SIII Petrol Tray: Doris
    OKApotamus #74
    Nanocom, D2 TD5 only.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Tins View Post
    Do you reckon putting them in the shade would help?
    Absolutely

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!