New slant on solar :)- Zero

[NavyDiver]

I have a quote and advise that installing QPRO-260- G3 on my roof flat will be efficient as collection efficiency for flat panels or only 5% or less of tilting on a frame.

I assume the pannels I am getting are close to or hopefully a little better than Solar Centre: Polycrystalline Silicon, Q CELLS Q.PRO-G3 (http://dkasolarcentre.com.au/go/technologies/polycrystalline-silicon-q-cells-q-pro-g3) which are Q.PRO-G3 250.

It is interesting looking at
Solar Centre: The Data (http://dkasolarcentre.com.au/flash/graphing.html?id=26)

I am putting one system on at work today. I ruled out the flat install after discussions with the installer as a 5-10 south slant to the flat roof would not have helped. I am having one put on at home later this year or early next year. Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

[Dervish]

Installing panels flat is generally a no no. Unless there is around a 5-10 degree tilt all of the dirt that lands on the panel will never wash off. If you check the installation instructions for those modules I imagine the minimum tilt will be listed. QCells are a very good manufacturer, I'm sure you'll be happy with them.

[NavyDiver]

Interestingto see the two PV setups I have now one flat and one at 10 degrees.Posting for those interested

Flat is Qcell 5.30kW,QPRO-265-G4 x 20 and tilted panels at work is Qcell 5.2kw.

Both had 5.2kw SMA SB5000TL. Work now has a Goodwe ES-HYBRIDand two flow batteries (Zcell).


Day by day there is not that big a difference prior to changing inverter. Now the Goodwee work set up is giving me much more power daily than home.

Today Solar PV was 35.7kWh at work and home was 27.76kWh


I had a look at the all the panels a few weeks ago and the all looked clean. Got me stumped why the inverter change seems to make such a big change to power output.

I do have a 12 month old SMA SB5000TL inverter spare. Consider offers if you might like it.

[DiscoMick]

I have a flat 80 watt panel on the roof rack of my Defender which is working just fine at charging the 110ah AGM battery to run the Evakool 35 litre fridge.
I camped for a week at Christmas and never had a worry.
Having the panel on an angle is only an advantage if it is pointed at the sun all day, which doesn't happen. For part of the day the panel will not be pointed at the sun and so may be less efficient than if it was flat and still getting some radiation.
For example, how much of the day does a vehicle spend driving north to get full radiation from an angled panel? For much of the day it will be driving east, south or west and the angled panel will be useless.
This is why some houses have some panels pointing west for the late afternoon sun and others north for the midday sun.

[harlie]

Who cares which way the car is driving - my vote is the panel is doing nothing while the 180amp alternator is running and producing 14V. (my solar regulator cuts out at 13.8).

[DiscoMick]

An angled panel is an unnecessary wind block.

[BeAnoldboy]

solar panel tilt angle is determined by the geographical location in relation to the equator

from wiki:
"A new University of Queensland study has declared the perfect angle and orientation for solar panels in Brisbane that will provide optimum power generation. “We have found Brisbane panels should be angled at 26 degrees, facing true north,”

[DiscoMick]

Yes, on houses that's true. On vehicles I think flat is best.

[p38arover]

Yes, on houses that's true. On vehicles I think flat is best.

I assumed navydiver's post was about his house, not vehicle.

[NavyDiver]

Just reviewing this choice from 5 years ago. I was finally capable of given the panels a wash last week. Crutches and wheel chairs did not work for the roof Its raining a bit so not out for a walk yet [thumbsupbig]

27.721 MWh is showing as total solar yield on the home Inverter. Its a little above 6000kWh per year solar power from the sun.

Using a cost per KW at (work) of $0.28842 per kWh saving me a bit over $1700 every year. The two systems I put at work and home cost me after a few credits just shy of 10K each, The 27.721 MWh total is my home. Work is much likely to be higher for three reasons happily. As it has had new inverter to enable full off grid when the grid fails at times I do not have the exact total there sadly. I sold my work sunnyboy inverter. Its still working cheerfully. Paid back fully [thumbsupbig]

I use over 80% of my power so I am not talking about you subsidizing me. Feedin credits do not give this number unless your under the really odd [B]old FIT system where everyone else pays more to pay for you. Good luck to you if you have it [biggrin]

As my systems are now free and have perhaps 20 years life left I have a choice- Some new panels are more than 100% more efficient and deal with shade and dirt much better. Just tossing up the idea of either adding as many Q.MAXX-G2 345-360 or 400w SunPower Maxeon3 or similar that fit in any spare space I have or selling QPRO265-G4 x 20 (or 40 inc work) (PM me if your interested)

I suspect payback time is sub 2 years with the much higher wattage and efficiency now. I am looking at now for work at first with the tax deductions possibly making it silly not to as the 2 years ROI is more likely just over a year if I factor that in.

The prices now compared to 5 years ago is SO cheap.

[Vern]

Just reviewing this choice from 5 years ago. I was finally capable of given the panels a wash last week. Crutches and wheel chairs did not work for the roof Its raining a bit so not out for a walk yet [thumbsupbig]

27.721 MWh is showing as total solar yield on the home Inverter. Its a little above 6000kWh per year solar power from the sun.

Using a cost per KW at (work) of $0.28842 per kWh saving me a bit over $1700 every year. The two systems I put at work and home cost me after a few credits just shy of 10K each, The 27.721 MWh total is my home. Work is much likely to be higher for three reasons happily. As it has had new inverter to enable full off grid when the grid fails at times I do not have the exact total there sadly. I sold my work sunnyboy inverter. Its still working cheerfully. Paid back fully [thumbsupbig]

I use over 80% of my power so I am not talking about you subsidizing me. Feedin credits do not give this number unless your under the really odd [B]old FIT system where everyone else pays more to pay for you. Good luck to you if you have it [biggrin]

As my systems are now free and have perhaps 20 years life left I have a choice- Some new panels are more than 100% more efficient and deal with shade and dirt much better. Just tossing up the idea of either adding as many Q.MAXX-G2 345-360 or 400w SunPower Maxeon3 or similar that fit in any spare space I have or selling QPRO265-G4 x 20 (or 40 inc work) (PM me if your interested)

I suspect payback time is sub 2 years with the much higher wattage and efficiency now. I am looking at now for work at first with the tax deductions possibly making it silly not to as the 2 years ROI is more likely just over a year if I factor that in.

The prices now compared to 5 years ago is SO cheap.I'd wait until sometime next year, when the new 500watt panels come out.
Also, you may have to fully reconfigure the racking system to fit newer larger panels, also string configurations for wiring of the inverters.
Plus no rebates, so will be costly unfortunately

[W&KO]

Thanks

I read an artical the other day suggesting new installation might be made to face panels to the East and west instead of north facing.

As more move to solar they said they’ll have too much power generated by solar during the day....they will need more solar power early morning and late afternoon when it’s peak usage time in the burbs

[NavyDiver]

I'd wait until sometime next year, when the new 500watt panels come out.
Also, you may have to fully reconfigure the racking system to fit newer larger panels, also string configurations for wiring of the inverters.
Plus no rebates, so will be costly unfortunately

Happily looking at your suggestion. I have seen some of the 500w panels (https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/trina-launches-next-stage-500w-solar-modules-it-says-will-cut-system-costs/). The work cost R.O.I. makes it very easy. Home needs a bit more thought.